Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City get WiMAX trial

Motorola, Inc. and Vietnam Datacommunications Company (VDC), a company within the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) today signed an agreement to commence a technical and commercial WiMAX trial in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the nation's two largest cities.

It is anticipated that the deployment of Motorola's wi4 WiMAX will allow VDC to reach a wider subscriber base, help meet the demand for broadband, as well as roll out IP services such as VoIP without the need for wired infrastructure.

The year long trial is expected to begin in October 2007. Phase one will cover an urban area in Hanoi and the second phase will cover a similar urban area in Ho Chi Minh City.

"Using WiMAX for wireless broadband access is key to a market such as Vietnam where wired broadband penetration is low," said Jay Andersen, vice president for sales, South and East Asia, Home and Networks Mobility, Motorola. "It has the potential to enable the country to leap frog current wired technologies so that a larger population in Vietnam's rapidly growing market can be connected quickly and affordably," Mr. Andersen noted.

"We see a future where wireless broadband can truly enhance the way of life in Vietnam and add its people to the knowledge economy," said Pham Long Tran, chairman of VNPT Group. He added, "Adopting an open standard like WiMAX is the best way to serve our customers and future subscribers."

"We are proud to be part of VNPT's first mobile WiMAX trial in Vietnam," said David Knapp, general director, Motorola Vietnam. "This marks a true milestone for this maturing country and demonstrates the foresight and dedication of VNPT to improving the nation's infrastructure," stated Mr. Knapp.

WiMAX is part of Motorola's MOTOwi4(TM) comprehensive portfolio of wireless broadband solutions and services that deliver and extend coverage. With this unique portfolio comes an innovative end-to-end solution. Delivering IP coverage to virtually all spaces, MOTOwi4 also includes fixed, mesh, and indoor solutions for private and public networks. All of the MOTOwi4 solutions complement each other and can be deployed to meet the specific requirements for public and private networks.