VSNL hopes to launch WIMAX in 6 months

MUMBAI: Tatas-controlled Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd plans to launch WIMAX services (worldwide interoperability for micorowave access) in about six months if the required spectrum was available, a top official has said.

Wimax is a short-term solution and we are very serious on that. In about six months, we will be ready for wimax launch, provided the availability of required spectrum, a senior vsnl official said.

At present, the company is testing WIMAX , a technology that offers broadband service to subscribers without a physical wire connection with an operator. The technology enables internet connectivity at faster speeds and for much longer ranges than current wireless technologies.

I think, most of the service providers are in the queue for wimax, he said.

VSNL has partnered with aperto networks, developer of the world's most advanced wimax base stations and subscriber units, to deploy multi-service broadband wireless systems.

The official said availability of spectrum was crucial for the implementation of wimax, and added he expected that issues related to spectrum would be sorted out soon.

The government would finalise the spectrum allocation within six months, enabling service providers to provide the advanced technology, he said.

VSNL currently provides wireless fidelity (wi-fi) technology, in which radio waves give internet access up to 30 meters without being connected with a wire. Wi-max services, on the other hand, can provide internet connectivity for more than 30 miles.