Cambridge Broadband Targets Africa

CAMBRIDGE, U.K. -- Cambridge Broadband Limited and Broadband Solutions Technologies have announced details of a relationship to introduce Cambridge Broadband's VectaStar fixed wireless access products into the African market. Broadband Solutions Technologies (BST) will offer complete solutions, from sales activities, user requirements definition and network planning and design through to equipment installation, commissioning and support. The relationship covers a number of countries, beginning with South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Nigeria and Mozambique and extending to other regions as markets develop. BST is a new company formed from the long-established BSE, Broadcast Solutions Electronics, in order to focus on fixed wireless access solutions. BST will provide solutions for a variety of applications, from voice and data solutions through to cellular backhaul. Of particular concern is addressing the lack of network infrastructure and low level of affordability for basic voice and data services in many African regions. Buks Fouche, Director Business Development of BST, explains: "Broadband wireless is not just for the rich: it is possible for the masses to get broadband and this is our core objective. We make this possible by integrating the Cambridge Broadband VectaStar technology with our own StarPoint and StarGate technology, to provide users with broadband services at a fraction of the cost normally incurred." He goes on to explain: "BST's StarPoint technology turns a VectaStar CPE into a whole new base station, which then communicates with our low-cost StarGate CPEs at customer premises. A variety of frequencies are supported for this link, including unlicensed ISM and UNII/HIPERLAN and the licensed MMDS and 3.5GHz bands. The StarGate CPE then provides 802.11 wireless LAN access, suitable for a single PC or a whole network: all users need is a standard 802.11a/b card." Cambridge Broadband Ltd. Broadband Solutions Technologies