vividwireless taps Vocus for IP transit and domestic comms links

Stuart Corner
Monday, 17 October 2011 09:19

IT Industry - Deals

Vocus Communications (ASX: VOC) has scored a multi-year deal to provide international Internet access (IP transit) and domestic communication services to Perth-based mobile WiMAX network operator, vividwireless.

Vocus will provide Internet access via fully redundant 10Gbps interfaces at the Perth IX data centre, where vividwireless is already hosting its equipment. The data centre was acquired by Vocus in March this year.

vividwireless, formerly Unwired Australia - a Seven Group company - rolled out its network in Perth last year and has broad coverage of the Perth Metro area. It has since launched networks in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra with limited coverage.

vividwireless CEO Martin Mercer said: "We selected Vocus for two important reasons. Firstly, it was clear that their network operations and performance was excellent, but the clincher was the willingness of the Vocus team to work with us to deliver a unique solution that would fit with our growing business."

Vocus said: "While the initial requirement is for Perth capacity, Vocus will be partnering with vividwireless as it extends the 4G network in the Eastern states later in 2011/2012."

The Vocus network is not 4G. It operates on the IEEE 802.16e mobile WiMAX standard. The company is using Huawei base stations which are software upgradeable to TD-LTE (which is not 4G either) and has flagged its intent to move to LTE, which it has already trialled and to greatly expand its east coast coverage, if it can raise the necessary finance.

vividwireless told iTWire in May that it was in discussions with a short list of potential investors to fund large scale rollouts in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, The Gold Coast and Adelaide. The Vocus contract could be a sign that something is happening on this front.