January 18, 2006

Wireline voice and high speed Internet service provider TDS Metrocom said it has launched its commercial rollout of a broadband wireless network in Madison, Wis.

TDS Metrocom is part of Telephone and Data Systems Telecommunications Corp., as is cellular carrier U.S. Cellular Corp.

TDS noted the Madison rollout followed successful field trials in Appleton, Wis., which is about 100 miles north of Madison. TDS said the network uses Alvarion Ltd.'s BreezeAccess VL technology operating in the 5.8 GHz spectrum band.

"We have adopted broadband wireless in our network strategy to allow us to completely eliminate our reliance on the incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC)," said Ben Goth, product manager for TDS Metrocom.

"We have put our trust in Alvarion's technology and track record as we also plan to take advantage of Alvarion's licensed WiMAX products for the U.S. market."

Source: RCR