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Airspan Networks, a provider of broadband wireless access networks formulated on Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX (News - Alert)) technology, recently announced that it successfully completed a Multi-Band Mobile WiMAX handover.

 

This handover is the first of its kind as it constituted a completely uninterrupted and seamless transition from one frequency band to another.

 

The handover was performed in the U.K. in partnership with FREEDOM4, a provider of wireless broadband services. FREEDOM4 is an enterprise based on a collaborative venture between Pipex Communications and Intel Capital.

 

“We are very pleased to have succeeded in this world's first demonstration with FREEDOM4. Confirming Airspan's WiMAX innovation and technology leadership position, this achievement permanently changes the landscape of mobile WiMAX and its possibilities,” said Paul Senior (News - Alert), chief technology officer of Airspan.

 

Airspan also worked with Starent Networks in this venture. Starent Networks (News - Alert) contributed their Access Service Network (ASN) gateway which was utilized to manage connections.

 

Bridgewater Systems was also part of the venture and provided their subscriber management technology to supply authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services.

 

The success of the experiment is expected to benefit mobile users, and will allow an Airspan MiMAX USB device from a laptop on a license-free 3.65 GHz network to move to a national, license-owned 2.5 GHz WiMAX network.

 

Carriers and operators will also find this new development useful as they can launch a large mobile WiMAX network via two or more frequency bands.

 

“Airspan's Quad-Band MiMAX device creates a new paradigm for European WiMAX operators,” said Graham Currier, chief operating officer at FREEDOM4.

 

“Airspan's technology allows us to combine the reach of the 2.6 GHz frequency band with our large block of 3.6 GHz to create a spectrum position that can deliver a true broadband experience for mobile users. We can deliver speeds and capacities many times greater than operators using evolved 3G HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technologies.”

 

While the company conducted the experimental handover between the 2.5 and 3.6 GHz bands, Airspan should be able to support this sort of handover between all the major WiMAX bands -- 2.3, 2.5, 3.3, 3.4-3.6, 3.6-3.8, and 5 GHz bands.