IP Wireless has achieved the first European commercial deployment of its UMTS TD-CDMA technology, a variation of the 3G standard.
German communications provider Airdata has launched services built on IPWireless’ “Mobile Broadband” technology in Stuttgart.
Branding the service PortableDSL, Airdata has built the network over the last few months, using the IPWirelesss Mobile Broadband system, which is based on the TD-CDMA variation of the worldwide IMT-2000 standard.
The network enables connectivity beyond distances covered by WLAN hotspots, creating instead much larger ‘hotzones,’ which are comparable in size to mobile phone coverage areas. As the network is SIM based, users do not need subscriptions with multiple providers, nor do they have to pay any additional usage fees that hotspots can require.
Set up for the service is achieved by inserting a SIM card into a modem, connecting the modem to the computer, and entering the user name and password. There is no need to connect to a phone outlet, and there is no additional hardware or software.
“After an extensive and successful trial deployment, we are pleased to power Airdata’s new commercial PortableDSL service in Stuttgart,” said Chris Gilbert, CEO of IPWireless. “Airdata understands that subscribers want the speed, freedom, ease, and convenience that IPWireless’ technology enables. With spectrum licenses in all major areas of Germany, Airdata is well-positioned to offer the most advanced broadband services in Europe.”
Charges for the NGI PortableDSL 768 (768kbps) are Euro19.95 for the Internet flat rate and Euro24.95 for the monthly connection fee.