A WiMAX network debuted in Tanzania last month as the service was offered in the African country's commercial center in Dar es Salaam. Eventually a nationwide WiMAX grid is planned covering six major cities, according to Redline Comunications. The deployment is a partnership of Canada's Redline, South Africa's RapidCloud Technology and Tanzania's Hotspot Business Solutions. In addition to the Dar es Salaam deployment, the initial phase of the rollout will include the establishment of a Redline RedMAX network in Arusha next month.
"With Redline's extensive experience installing OFDM and WiMAX systems, we will be able to quickly deploy our network and deliver revenue-generating broadband services," said Emmanuel Nyaki, Hotspot's chief executive officer, in a statement. Hotspot is a regional telecommunications provider in Tanzania, and Nyaki said Hotspot hopes to gain a rapid return on its WiMAX investment because of the network's capability of handling heavy subscriber capacity.
Noting that Hotspot expects to increase its subscriber base by 60% over the next two years, Redline said the second phase of the deployment will get underway in January as the WiMAX service is brought to Zanzibar, Morogoro, and the capital city of Dodoma. According to the Redline release "Hotspot will be able to deliver high quality voice, video, and data Internet services to government agencies, corporations, educational institutions, and residents across Tanzania."
RapidCloud will manage and coordinate the network and provide local logistical and post-sales operational support.