Digicel, the Caribbean's largest telecommunications provider, has announced
the launch of its next-generation, personal broadband service, which is
initially being rolled out in the Cayman Islands.
Digicel's Personal Broadband service employs standard based mobile WiMAX 802.16e
technology, allowing users the freedom to connect anywhere they like.
With the launch of Digicel Broadband, the company is the first telecommunications
provider in the Cayman Islands to offer next-generation Mobile WiMAX based on
802.16e technology. Digicel first made its foray into the market by offering
fixed Wireless Broadband Voice, Data and Internet services to corporate customers
in the Cayman Islands in December 2005, and in the Jamaican market in July 2006.
Digicel said that it will continue Personal Broadband Service roll outs in other
markets deemed viable in the near future, in addition to building on its current
fixed Wireless Broadband Voice, Data and Internet service offerings to corporate
customers in the Cayman and Jamaican markets.
Digicel says that it is leapfrogging the mainstream broadband space by introducing
a service that combines the quality of service and speeds of a landline offering
with the ultimate convenience of wireless connectivity anywhere. Customers can
move their modem to any location within Digicel's service area across the island
and access the Internet at no extra charge. Digicel Broadband packages range
in speed from 512kbps up to 4 mbps.
"Digicel is one of just a few mobile operators in the world to commercially
launch an 802.16e ready network for personal broadband service. By choosing
a standard-based technology, Digicel is driving innovation. As devices continue
to evolve, we will strive to ensure our customers have access to the best services
using cutting-edge technology," announced Digicel Group CTO Mario Assaad.
According to Digicel, Mobile WiMAX technology delivers wireless broadband data
speeds and quality that exceed today's performance of 3G technology solutions,
and opens the door to a new generation of consumer electronics devices. Leading
device manufacturers have announced plans to have WiMAX-enabled devices such
as laptops and PDAs in 2008.