Alvarion Deploys First 3.3 GHz WiMAX™ Network in UK for Metranet

Alvarion. is being used by Metranet, a wireless specialist, to deploy the first WiMAX network using the 3.3 GHz spectrum in the UK. Metranet is using this frequency through gaining a Non-Operational Temporary license from Ofcom, the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, specifically for this network. This is part of a SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) match-funded innovation project.

Alvarion’s base stations and CPEs enable Metranet to provide backhaul for CCTV cameras (closed circuit TV), and traffic junction control throughout Reading. The WiMAX network went live in March 2008 and replaced the existing wired network. Live video from main roads and junctions is streamed back to a central control room, and traffic lights can then be manually controlled via the WiMAX network to improve traffic flow. Automatic License Plate recognition is also being built into the system.

Many towns and cities throughout the world are finding new bandwidth-intensive applications – such as CCTV – expensive to operate, particularly when they involve using wired infrastructure such as leased lines. By using Alvarion’s network costs were significantly reduced.

Simon Beasley, Transport Network Manager, Reading Borough Council: “Reading is a prosperous town with an expanding population, and consequently there are significant pressures on the road network. The communications needed to connect and control the real time traffic management systems needed to be more powerful than before. Alvarion’s WiMAX network performance has not only achieved this level of reliability but also exceeded our expectations with clear images from even the very distant cameras.”

Roger Horlock, Director of Metranet, said: “A dedicated frequency is ideal for a mission-critical deployment in a city like Reading. In the future we plan to expand the network to help facilitate new applications such as providing real-time travel information to train and bus passengers, CCTV monitoring in buses to improve security and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) to improve traffic flow. We chose Alvarion’s BreezeMAX because it is the most reliable and flexible system on the market today.”