Telekom Slovenije launches first commercial WiMAX connection

Telecomworldwire, March 20, 2008

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-20 March 2008-Telekom Slovenije launches first commercial WiMAX connection(C)1994-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

The first commercial connection of the WiMAX wireless broadband network has been made in Ljubljana's Rozna dolina by operator Telekom Slovenije, in a collaboration with its Mobitel subsidiary, following the completion of a successful trial period in 2007.

Telekom Slovenije was one of two companies to be granted a concession by the Post and Electronic Communications Agency (APEK) regulator, providing the radio frequencies required for WiMAX wireless broadband access technologies in October 2006.

The company has divided the project providing services for a fixed wireless broadband access system into six, six month terms, with investment in the network construction estimated to be about EUR10m. Engineers have so far constructed, or are still constructing, 20 base stations, with a further 60 to be established by October, taking population coverage to 40%.

The network is being established initially in areas where there are the most white spots for providing broadband access, with 5,100 subscribers expected to be connected this year, reaching 98.4% population coverage at the end of the three year period.

Telekom Slovenije, which paid EUR417,292 for the concession, was given the concession to use WiMAX technology in the 3.5GHz frequency band with TDD and a 7MHz channel width.

((Comments on this story may be sent to tww.feedback@m2.com))