VIENNA -- WiMAX Telecom GmbH is the only licensee of 3,5 GHz frequencies in the entire Austrian territory. The alternative, international Internet Service Provider will be the first WiMAX-provider to start operations in Austria. This year’s expenses will amount to € 2,5 Mio. The sum of investment until 2008 will account for approx. € 70 Mio. The staff will increase from currently 10 employees to approx. 40 until 2008. These figures were announced by the WiMAX Telecom Management during the first press conference in Vienna, Austria.

„What started as an ambitious target when WiMAX Telecom was founded in February 2005, became reality with the successful completion of field tests in Burgenland”, said CEO Peter Ziegelwanger. While the first test–customers are already telephoning and using the internet, the roll–out for Burgenland and Styria is starting at present. By the end of the year 60 WiMAX base stations shall be installed. The first commercial customers will be able to use WiMAX in September 2005.

As a first step development areas with weak broadband–infrastructure are being accessed, followed by metropolitan areas. Werner Kasztler: ”We trust, 70% of Austrians have the opportunity to use WiMAX–services by 2008”.

The Chairman of the Board of the proprietary company WiMAX Telecom AG, Dov Bar-Gera, considers Austria to be an international figurehead. “There are already serious talks with authorities in new EU member states as well as with international prospects. We are now focussing on international biddings in Central and Eastern Europe”.

WiMAX Telecom GmbH