Horizon Wi-Com is trialing its high-speed wireless broadband service in major U.S. cities in the Northeast region using 802.16e compatible equipment from Navini Networks (pdf).
Phase I of the deployment will implement service in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Richmond, and Cincinnati. Horizon Wi-Com purchased the WCS A Block from Verizon. Black & Veatch will provide the support and program management.
Horizon Wi-Com is a Wireless System Operator headquartered in Alexandria, VA. They own 10 MHz of A Block WCS spectrum in MEA (FCC designated license areas) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, and 13 which includes the cities of Boston, New York, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond, and Cincinnati Dayton.
WCS stands for Wireless Communication Services with Block A using 2305-2310 MHz paired with 2350-2355 MHz.
Satellite radio repeaters of XM and Sirius blast out thousands of watts right next door using their Digital Audio Repeaters (DARS) band. That makes receiving 100 mW mobile WiMAX somewhat problematic, but at least Block A is as far away from DARs as it can get (in the WCS band).
The FCC warned that mobile operations in the band could be “technologically infeasible”, and alerted potential WCS auction bidders that “wide area, full mobility systems and services” already offered or contemplated in other spectrum were “likely to be of questionable feasibility.”
Horizon Wi-Com is willing to give it a go.
“We have completed Phase I and are now trialing subscribers in some of the most exciting cities,” said Ron Olexa, President of Horizon Wi-Com. “We will provide high-speed internet access to residential and business users in markets containing approximately 70 million POPs.”
“Navini’s software upgrade to Mobile WiMAX will allow Horizon to implement the first network deployment in major U.S. cities,” said Roger Dorf, Navini’s president and CEO. “Delivering WiMAX in the U.S. is a key strategic opportunity for us and Horizon Wi-Com is the right partner.”
The advanced beamforming technology of Navini may come in handy in reducing satellite radio interference in big cities. Or maybe not.
Horizon Wi-Com will use Navini’s Ripwave MX8 platform, certified for 802.16e mobile WiMAX, along with Navini’s Smart WiMAX solution (above). Smart WiMAX (pdf) combines Mobile WiMAX with beamformed MIMO, which can double the data throughput for WiMAX subscribers (and reduce interference).
Horizon Wi-Com is currently planning to provide wireless broadband service to customers with service planned to commence in the second quarter of 2007. Horizon Wi-Com is owned by Rajendra Singh. Mr. Singh is also reportedly a principal in Mobile Satellite Ventures, the geosynchronous spot-beam satellite service.
Related DailyWireless articles include; Navini Beamforms Voice, Sirius & XM to Merge?, Satellite Radio Growing in US, BellSouth Pushing 2.3 GHz, and Navini Mobilizes at 2 Dot 3.
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