BigAir expands fixed WiMAX network to Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 04:22

IT Industry - Strategy

Fixed WiMAX network operator, BigAir (ASX: BGL) is expanding its network into Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast using equipment from its current WiMAX gear supplier, Airspan Networks.

BigAir claims that its network now provides near blanket coverage across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast delivering business-grade symmetric broadband services at up to 100Mbps and distances up to 30km from its base stations.

BigAir first selected Airspan in July 2007 making it the first operator of commercial fixed WiMAX networks in Sydney and Melbourne. BigAir is also using Airspan's FlexNET backhaul product for higher bandwidth point-to point links. The new networks will operate in the class licensed (often referred to as unlicensed) 5.5GHz and 5.8GHz bands.

"BigAir has been very successful in serving our customer base," said BigAir CEO, Jason Ashton. "We own and operate Australia's largest fixed wireless next-generation broadband network which now covers the six largest cities in Australia. Utilising Airspan's solution allows us to offer our customers higher speed, greater reliability and lower-cost broadband services."

BigAir announced expansion of its network to Perth in December 2008 saying it had installed a single base station in the CBD giving it coverage over a radius of 30kms. At that time the company had networks only in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane but had flagged its intention to expand to other major centres.

However, as of 13 October 2009 its web site has coverage maps only of Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane. Ashton was not immediately available to comment on the announcement of the network expansion, which came from Airspan Networks.