RICHARDSON, Texas-Navini Networks Inc. reported that BellSouth Corp. has launched a wireless broadband trial in Athens, Ga., using Navini’s pre-WiMAX Ripwave equipment to transmit signals between local radio towers and non-line-of-sight desktop modems. The network uses BellSouth’s licensed BRS and WCS radio spectrum holdings in the 2.3 GHz bands.
BellSouth announced in June that it planned to launch wireless broadband trials in a number of Southeast markets, including expansion into select Florida markets later this year. BellSouth said the network trial will target both residential and business customers and will include various service options, ranging in price, features and speed. BellSouth added that the wireless broadband service would serve as an alternative to its wireline broadband offering, as well as fill in urban/suburban areas where ADSL service is not available.
BellSouth has been trialing a similar service using Navini’s Ripwave technology in Daytona and Palatka, Fla., and has been testing wireless broadband services since 2000 when it launched a trial network in Houma, La.
