3G arrives in Montana

By Susan Rush
from CED Broadband Direct, June 3, 2002

Montana may be known for its big blue sky, but the state is working to keep up with the latest technology trends with the rollout of 3G high-speed wireless in Missoula.

Teewinot Wireless Data has teamed with IPWireless Inc. and Internet Connect Services to launch the high-speed wireless service. The Teewinot wireless data network uses MMDS frequencies and 3G technology developed by IPWireless. Montana is the first US state to commercially deploy 3G wireless services, according to IPWireless.

"People in rural states like Montana need to have access like this to ensure their inclusion in the rapidly expanding information age," Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) said in a statement. Burns has been a long-standing supporter of bringing broadband access to his state.

In April, Sprint it had began testing the waters in the broadband wireless technology market. The company is conducting two field trials, one with IP Wireless, and one with Navini Networks. In March, Sprint began testing IPWireless' technology, which uses advanced signal processing techniques to maximize receiver sensitivity and minimize interference, in Montreal.