Dear Wifiman:

Firstly there can be no doubt worldwide that ADSL can deliver the highest capacity Broadband. Just look at the success throughout the world. BUT, In order to have great ADSL delivery you need a well maintained copper plant (access network) and good network operations - I'm sorry to say that Nitel has neither.

Objectively though, even if Nitel has the ADSL equipment in place - how long will it take for them to activate the line and hom many days in the month will it work. There are ADSL suppliers in Nigeria (Lagos) look at say VGC.

But taking into account the reality if the Nigerian market I think that for most the only hope of cost effective quality broadband will be via a WiMAX radio technology.

I don't know why you see Nigeria as the dumping ground of Europe. - WiMAX technology is already found in several countries in Europe - yes true the deployments are semi rural as the WiMAX technology comes to compliment the copper plant - but the equipment and technology have proovent themselves.

Generally you will find that the poor quality of service provided by operators relates to their Network Managment Skills, Network desing and generally relating to the operation of the network - and not the equipment itself. -

Regarding lack of peering of traffic in Nigeria - yes that is a 100% true - but don't blame the operators its an environmental issue.

Finally regarding price - yes price is coming down in Nigeria. Prices are dependant on the cost of Internet wholesale i.e. SAT3 and VSAT and of course the cost of doing business in Nigeria is high. As the market enlrages so will prices fall.

SO my thesis holds - Mass brodaband can only be delivered in Nigieria using a Wireless technology - and the state of the art prooven technology is WiMAX. Watch the emerging operators in Nigeria in WiMAX - Suburban and Startech, Watch well managed operators like DirectONPC - Some or all of them will emerge as leaders.





WiMAXER

802.11a/g is ISM band frequency - it might be WIFI equipment but it is NOT wimax equipment.

Also - don't be to confident on relying on the compatiability of WiMAX certified equipment.

WiMAX equipment that is currently certified is what is called 1st WAVE certificatoin. This level of certification is really very limited and the reality is that operators will not realistically take equiipment from one manufacturer and use it with the based from a second manufuacturer.

This is becos wave one certification (WiMAX forum tests in WAVEST) tested a very basic level of connectivity but the Wave one did not include tests relating to quality of service functionality - and any decent operator must
embed quality of service (QOS) functionality into their network.

WiMAXER.

Hello Sholatech:

1. Yes Suburban has a 3.5Ghz License in Abuja. They are deploying BreezeMAX / WiMAX in that frequency.
Yes it would make sense if they were to purchase / get hold of additional 3.5Ghz licenses so that Suburban could become a national Nigerian WiMAX operator.

2. You comment of there being Many Broadband providers in Nigeria is probably the biggest challenge in the market. The Telecoms market and specifically the Braodband market needs consolidation - just as we saw when GSM came. - For Broadband to be provided at a good quality with good value at a price available to the consumer then some big players need to emerge. Watch this space you will probably see the GSM operators entering this space soon. Yes the GSM operators will probably deploy WiMAX instead of 3G. - Look at MTN Uganda and others who are already deploying WiMAX equipment.

3. WiMAX in Nigeria will succeed but only after an increase in penetration of computers. To this end the governments progamme of a computer for all as well as Intels vision of a sub $300 computer is what will make the WiMAX operator market huge.

Hello Bolaji:

We need to get some things straight:

Firstly about 4 years ago the NCC made an announcement that they would outlaw the use of the ISM band. (ISM band = 2.4 and some of the 5Ghz band) - This of course was just before they auctioned off the 3.5GHz frequencies.

Well time went by and all of a sudden WiFI (which is basically a buzz word for using ISM band frequency) became very popular in Europe and America and suddenly we see articles by the Executive VC of the NCC saying how great WiFI is and how Nigeria needs hot spots, Funny cos just a year ago he said ISM band is for Inside use only,

Also the NCC then stated that they have no responsibility for the quality of service you get if you subscriber to a service using the ISM Band,

Bottom Line: Most of the world allows provision of service in the ISM bands - And today that includes Nigeria.
The regulations are a bit fuzzy in the 5.8GHz band - but as so much service and technoloy and WIFI uses 5.8GHz I think its a safe bet to say that 5.8Ghz is here for good and that the regulator has better things to do.

Regarding your comment about the NCC not having the right tool - I would be careful making such assumptions - They have the tools - and anyway its not so difficult to ask the WISP.

Don't get confused with WiMAX and WiFI - they are not the same. WiFI is generally in the 2.4 and 5.8GHz band; has limited range (Cos of limited power) and has very little technology to enable controlling quality of service.

WimAX is generally today in licensed frequencies 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5 Ghz - and offers service with reasonable range and non line of site. The real vision of WiMAX is to give service that is equivalent to GSM but that is also Broadband.

In the Nigerian situation where there is virtually no copper - WiMAX is the perfect solution for Bringing carrier class broadband service to the consumer. Don't mistake me there are some very successful WIFI operators out there - small - but successful and usually in semi rural markets.

The way forward is WiMAX - Its the ultimate solution - and thats why operators like Suburban, and Startech who seem to be the first real WiMAX operators in Nigeria are worthy of mention.

In addtion it seems that Alvarion has taken the place of the lead supplier of WiMAX equipment in NIgiera. In generaly you will see that most commercially successful WiMAX networks world wide come from Alvarion - and if you look at Africa specificaly only Alvairon has established long term commercially successful WimAX networks.


WiMAXER.

Hello Bolaji:

You challenge me and I did some checking.
Direct On PC (DOPC) has a great BWA network operating in Lagos using Alvarion equipment. I think though that
on closer examination you will find that the system they are using is Pre WiMAX rather than a WiMAX compliant system. I also found out the Direct On PC is operating not only in Lagos but also in other Nigerian cities like Abuja and Port Hartcourt. It appears that they system the are using from Alvarion is BreezeACCESS VL which according to Alvarion operates in the 5 GHz. band.

Do you know of another WIXP in Nigeria using BreezeMAX 3500 from Alvarion.

On another note Kudos to DONPC for offering a good quality Broadband Service at a great price for value.

Let me know about the other WISP in Lagos using BreezeMAX - I'll start making my enquiries.

WiMAXER.

Dear Chaxta:

Yes I think it is true that Suburban made such a claim - but my knowledge is that they deployed sometime ago a wireless network in the  5GHz band.  They are now rolling out a  3.5Ghz WiMAX network using Alvarion  equipment in Abuja.

Suburban is becoming a very strong player in the BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) arena in Nigeria you can expect them to become a major supplier of BWA services  based on WiMAX technology.

Wimaxer.

Suburban Telecom in Abuja Nigeria will deplpoy a Wimax compliant system from Alvarion in the 3.5GHz band.

Suburban entered in a cooperation agreement with the FCT to provide connectivity to FCT employees. It seems
that Suburban will use the BreezeMAX system from Alvarion to provide the WiMAX compliant broadband connection to customers.

The first WiMAX network in Nigeria is being deployed by Startech in Abuja using BreezeMAX 3500 system from Alvarion.

Startech will use the BreezeMAX system to provide high speed data and voice services to subscirbers in Abuja.

Startech operates using the 3.5Ghz frequency. Initially Startech will deploy the Alvarion's BreezeMAX 3500 system in Abuja but later they are expected to expand to others states where they have licenses.

Suburban Telecom and Startech Connections and you can also try Direct On PC.
All are using technology from Alvarion Radio Equipment.

Startech Connections to Use Alvarion's BreezeMAX to Deploy WIMAX Network in Nigerian Capital Abuja

Broadband Data and Voice Services to be Offered to Corporate, SOHO and Residential Subscribers in Capital, Abuja

Tel Aviv, Israel, June 6, 2006--Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALVR) www.alvarion.com, the world's leading provider of wireless broadband solutions and specialized mobile networks, today announced that Startech Connections will deploy a WiMAX network in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, using its BreezeMAX 3500 system, offering broadband data and voice services. Targeting corporate, SOHO and residential subscribers, deployment of the network is expected to begin sometime this quarter.

"We are excited to bring WiMAX services to the Nigerian people," said Mr. Kim Fraser, CEO of Startech Communications. "To compete in our fast growing market, we have to be able to offer the highest quality broadband data and voice services to subscribers. Therefore, we selected the field proven BreezeMAX system, as demonstrated in dozens of countries, and look forward to expanding our relationship with Alvarion as we move into additional Nigerian cities."

BreezeMAX is Alvarion's WiMAX platform designed from the ground up according to the IEEE 802.16 standards and uses OFDM technology for advanced non-line-of-sight (NLOS) functionality. Its carrier-class design supports broadband speeds and quality of service (QoS) to enable carriers to offer triple play broadband services to thousands of subscribers in a single base station. Since its launch in mid-2004, BreezeMAX has been successfully deployed in over 150 installations in more than 30 countries around the world.

"As an 'Innovative Challenger' in Nigeria, Startech is leveraging BreezeMAX to strengthen its position in a highly competitive market," commented Tzvika Friedman, CEO and president of Alvarion. "We are pleased to provide them with the world's most widely deployed WiMAX system and appreciate their ongoing confidence in our system quality and field professionals to deploy and flexibly grow their network as they add new customers and cities."

About Startech Connections
Startech Connections Limited is a Private Telecommunications Operator (PTO) with regional licenses to provide broadband fixed wireless voice and data/internet services. Startech Licenses cover F.C.T., Kaduna, Kano, Plateau, and Nasarawa states. Startech was incorporated October 31, 2001, and launched its operations in May 2003. The head office is located at Rivers State Office Complex, Plot 83 Ralph Shodeinde Street, Abuja Nigeria.
Startech Connections provides cost effective broadband internet, voice and data services providing solutions for individuals, ISPs, corporate bodies, and other commercial operations. This suite of services and the ability to customize solutions to the client provides a one stop shop for potential clients. Startech Connections is committed to building long term relationships with customers, and is continually striving to improve its infrastructure to insure delivery of the latest and best in telecommunication services.
Our technical operations department provides 24/7 monitoring of Startech's network to insure reliable service, and our customer care department is available during normal working hours, to receive inquiries and service complaints.

About Alvarion
With more than 2 million units deployed in 150 countries, Alvarion is the worldwide leader in wireless broadband, providing systems to carriers, ISPs and private network operators, and also in extending coverage of GSM and CDMA mobile networks to developing countries and other hard to serve areas.
Leading the WiMAX revolution, Alvarion has the most extensive deployments and proven product portfolio in the industry covering the full range of frequency bands with both fixed and mobile solutions. Alvarion's products enable the delivery of business and residential broadband access, corporate VPNs, toll quality telephony, mobile base station feeding, hotspot coverage extension, community interconnection, public safety communications, and mobile voice and data. Alvarion works with several global OEM providers and more than 200 local partners to support its diverse global customer base in solving their last-mile challenges.
As a wireless broadband pioneer, Alvarion has been driving and delivering innovations for more than 10 years from core technology developments to creating and promoting industry standards. Leveraging its key roles in the IEEE and HiperMAN standards committees and experience in deploying OFDM-based systems, the Company's prominent work in the WiMAX Forum(tm) is focused on increasing the widespread adoption of standards-based products in the wireless broadband market and leading the entire industry to mobile WiMAX solutions. For more information, visit Alvarion's World Wide Web site at www.alvarion.com