interesting article

Access Providers on the move
with Sydney WiMAX rollout

Melbourne-based Access Providers claims that it will begin construction of
Australia’s first WiMAX network within 12 weeks, despite the fact that it has
yet to secure equipment supply or base station sites.
Announcing plans for an 11-site WiMAX rollout across Sydney yesterday,
Access Providers CEO Keith Ondarchie said that the company remained in
discussions with suppliers and site operators and was yet to confirm final arrangements.
He said that construction was due to begin in February 2006 with
an expectation that it will begin connecting customers by June 2006.
Access Providers already operates in Sydney through a strategic partnership
with 802.11 hotspot operator and iBurst reseller BigAir. It in turn provides BigAir
with access to its network in Melbourne.
According to Ondarchie however, a move to WiMAX will provide all-new
flexibility. “We are very excited to announce the next stage of our corporate
development which will see us building a WiMAX network in Sydney,” he
said. “We have already identified the first group of business customers and are
now working through the purchasing arrangements with suppliers.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH UNWIRED: Ondarchie has put Access Providers
in a head-to-head battle with Unwired Australia with claims that his will be the
“first WiMAX network to be built in Australia.” While Unwired has yet to detail
launch dates, the company has firmed a supply agreement with Navini Networks
and is set to begin network construction in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide
and Brisbane next year. The company has $37 million in Intel development
funding to support its rollout and 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum allowing
it to ultimately cover 65% of the Australian population.
According to Ondarchie meanwhile, Access Providers is finalising exclusive
roof top licences in Sydney, “that will prevent other wireless operators
from accessing its WiMAX 5.8GHz frequency.” He said that capital expenditure
required for the build “will be funded by internal cash reserves.”
“We are convinced the WiMAX standard will create many opportunities
over the next few years. This new standard will allow service providers to
package product of offerings that need to be connected to a WiMAX net
work,” Ondarchie said.

Tim Marshall