Sprint evaluates broadband wireless technologies

By Susan Rush
from BroadbandWeek Direct, May 7, 2002

Let the competition begin. Sprint is testing the waters in the broadband wireless technology market through two field trials, one in Navini Networks, and one with IP Wireless. May the best technology win.

The trials are designed to test the "viability of next-generation technologies," says Cameron Rejali, Sprint's vice president of broadband wireless products and operations. Sprint expects the trials to determine which company has the superior technology. Sprint's goal is to find a technology that will be a solid moneymaker once the company deploys its broadband wireless service.

Sprint last year shelved new deployments of its MMDS-based Sprint Broadband Direct service, ostensibly to await market-ready, non-line-of-sight equipment that would enable customers to install their own gear.

The Navini Networks' trial is now under way in Houston. Navini's technology, which uses adaptive phased-array smart antenna technology, delivers zero-install, nomadic and multi-megabit broadband data rates within cellular ranges.

Last month in Montreal, Sprint began testing IPWireless' technology, which uses advanced signal processing techniques to maximize receiver sensitivity and minimize interference.

These two trials will enable Sprint to evaluate multicell architectures and test the capacity, portability, indoor penetration and customer experience from a pocket-sized portable device, says Sprint. Sprint also is considering point-to-multipoint non-line-of-sight technologies.

Separately, Sprint signed a multiyear deal to beef up Coast Dental Services Inc.'s network. Although financial terms were not disclosed, Sprint will deliver voice over IP, managed network services, high-speed data and wireless services through the implementation of a new frame relay network, IP services, Sprint PCS and customer premise equipment. Sprint will leverage its existing relationship with Cisco Systems Inc. for the hardware. Cisco's 1700 Series Access routers will be used for remote frame relay services, its 3600 Series router for the frame relay host site and other related equipment for the deployment of a IP virtual private network.