Freedom4, the joint investment between Daisy Group and Intel Capital, has been granted a licence variation by Ofcom that enables it to offer mobile wireless broadband services to its customers using its nationwide 3.6GHz spectrum.
Freedom4 says it has already achieved the world's first seamless mobile WiMAX handover between base stations operating at two frequencies (2.5GHz and 3.6GHz) and architected a high capacity core network, capable of delivering wholesale services. This variation, says the company, gives Freedom4 the technical and regulatory flexibility to satisfy demand for fixed and mobile internet connectivity, higher bandwidth per user and the provision of broadband in areas where existing infrastructure is either weak or lacks resilience.
Mike Read; Freedom4 CEO commented: "The Company now has both the spectrum position and technical capability to implement a network and services platform ideally suited to compete in the rapidly expanding market for fixed and mobile broadband wireless access."
The latest Digital Britain publication by the UK Government (BIS) acknowledges that WiMAX is the only 4G wireless technology commercially available today and that it is being deployed across the globe.
Ashish Patel; Managing Director Intel Capital EMEA states, "The Government's decision highlights the contributions WiMAX can make to the digital economy and Intel is actively supporting these efforts as a member of its Digital Participation Consortium."
Freedom4 owns the largest contiguous block of 4G compatible spectrum currently issued in the UK, together with national spectrum at both 4GHz and 28GHz ideal for delivering wireless backhaul. Freedom4 has integrated world leading wireless network equipment and has both fixed and mobile devices to connect to its network including the world's only quad band WiMAX dongle.
Matthew Riley; Daisy Group plc CEO adds, "The assets and capabilities now within Freedom4, together with the Government's Digital Britain activities present a great opportunity to address the fast growing market for wireless broadband."
The company is in a state of readiness for build-out, having architected and integrated all necessary network equipment for operation.