OREANDA-NEWS. April 21, 2008. Not only players but also technologists compete in the communication market of Uzbekistan. The East Telecom plans to launch this September a WiMax network in Tashkent, reported the Official website www.investuzbekistan.uz.

During a visit of the Korea Telecom’s (KT Corp) to Tashkent its executive vice president, Kim Khan Sook stated at a meeting in the Communication and Information Agency of Uzbekistan that the commercial launching of WiMax network would be this September and specialists had analyzed the location and radio planning. Thus, Uzbekistan will be in the list of a few countries having WiMax networks with Wave 2 most up-to-date technology.

The WiMax is a new technology for wireless Internet access with 280 Mb/s theoretical speed for each base station that is 25 times faster than Wi-Fi and thousand times than GPRS (GPRS is a packet oriented Mobile Data Service available to users of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). In addition, the WiMax ensures to offer mobile services. The WiMax is also set up as a mobile network by covering territories via base stations. The range of the WiMax base station coverage is 6 kilometers.

Last autumn South Korea’s biggest communication operator KT Corp purchased 51% and the Japanese Sumitomo 34% of the JV East Telecom, largest alternative operator of trunk channels in Uzbekistan. The two companies also bought 60% (KT Corp) and 40% (Sumitomo) shareholding of the SuperiMax LLC, WiMax wideband Internet provider. The company as global operator will offer wireless access services and set trunk communication channels. The rest 15% is owned by the Uzbek national communication operator, JSC Uzbektelecom.

Experts believe that the segment of WiMax market which is worth special attention is to connect “fixed” users (they do not change their location but use equipment for wireless access, primarily to the Internet). The fixed wireless Internet access is useful when cable-based connection is possible but less rational. For instance, networks of automatic cash and payment terminals and cellular shops – location of such service providers are not permanent and may alter because of changes in market opportunities. Another factor – difficulties in installation of cable networks –cause interest of operators in the development of wireless access.