Pipex Wireless claims successful UK WiMax trial

Pipex Wireless, a joint venture between Pipex and Intel, announced today that it has successfully completed the latest phase of its WiMax wireless wide area network trial in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Working with wireless provider Airspan Networks the trials have evaluated the performance of Pipex Wireless WiMax-based broadband services for users with both indoor and outdoor antennae, powered by Intel Rosedale chipsets.

Internal antenna deployments realised speeds in excess of 2Mbps up and down at a range of 1.2km from the base station with no direct line of sight.

External antennas clocked up speeds of 10Mbps down and 9Mbps up at a test house located 1.2km from the base station.

According to the firms, the trial shows that WiMax can deliver "near symmetric" services in most environments. Subscribers will therefore benefit from upload speeds at the same rate as typical broadband downloads.

Mike Read, chief executive at Pipex, said: "In our next stage we are undertaking commercial trials delivering end-to-end WiMax services with a number of local authorities and live customers."

Pipex Wireless was created in April 2006 by Pipex and Intel Capital, the chip giant's venture arm. The company said it will announce additional trial deployments in 2006 and roll out new services in several major metropolitan areas in 2007.