ILLUMINAT Deploys Aperto Networks’ 3.5 GHz Broadband Wireless Systems Across the Islands of Trinidad and Tobago
Top Caribbean provider installs island-wide wireless infrastructure for business, government sites in under ten days
Milpitas, Calif. and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, (November 4, 2002) – ILLUMINAT, a leading information technology and communications services provider operating in the Caribbean has selected and deployed Aperto Networks’ PacketWave® multiservice platform to enable 100% service reach to businesses and public sites across Trinidad and Tobago. Aperto is the market leader in commercial deployment of new generation multiservice fixed broadband wireless access systems for global markets. ILLUMINAT deployed Aperto’s 3.5 GHz systems across the island nation in record time, turning up a seven-cell wireless network within ten days, to support delivery of high-speed data access to hundreds of commercial and public service sites.
Started in 1958, ILLUMINAT’s Communications Business Unit has grown by acquisition to deliver telephony, 2-way radio, point-to-point and multipoint data services for business subscribers in the Caribbean. The company’s Trinidad facilities serve financial services entities, private enterprises and government offices. In early 2002, one of the provider’s largest customers requested bandwidth upgrades to more than 50 locations. Fulfilling this order triggered a network backbone upgrade, which ILLUMINAT chose to implement using fixed broadband wireless.
"ILLUMINAT’s business and government client offices are dispersed throughout the country and all require rapid-deployable, flexible and high-quality data connectivity," stated Ian Henderson, ILLUMINAT’s vice president of communications. "To deliver Internet access and VPNs to all sites, we needed to move to a second-generation, IP-based wireless network with long reach capabilities, QoS and non-line-of-sight transmission. It was essential that the base stations and subscriber units fully support these functions and have a single-shelf footprint, quick installation and high reliability. In fact, we put up seven base stations and went online with the upgrade in less than ten days - with no hiccups or operational difficulty. We picked the right system, and we’re already expanding the initial deployment."
"ILLUMINAT uses its extensive RF and IP knowledge base, a high degree of discipline in its operations management, and its depth of customer relationships to strategic advantage," described Alan Menezes, Aperto’s vice president of marketing. "We are very impressed with ILLUMINAT’s ability to fully leverage the functions of PacketWave, and to prepare for market expansion in the future. This is a key nationwide deployment in the Caribbean for Aperto."
About Aperto Networks
Aperto Networks is a leading provider of multiservice broadband wireless access systems for global markets. The company was founded to provide a breakthrough solution to one of today’s critical network bottlenecks - last-mile broadband access. Aperto’s practical, scalable systems and patent-pending technologies support new wireless builds and complement existing wireline broadband access technology. Shipping to carriers since 4Q 2001, the company has delivered production systems to over 30 providers in 20+ countries, meeting their need for rapid network deployment, multiservice scalability, ease of installation, IP-rich network functionality, and cost-effectiveness. Aperto dramatically shortens the lengthy provisioning cycles for broadband services by enabling rapid service provisioning across dense urban to suburban locations. Investors in Aperto include Alliance Ventures, Tyco Ventures, Innovacom (France Telecom), Stratex Networks, Oki Electric Industry Company, Mitsubishi International Corporation, Ridgewood Capital, Satwik Ventures and Redwood Ventures. For more information on Aperto Networks, go to www.apertonet.com.
About ILLUMINAT
ILLUMINAT is part of Neal and Massy Holdings Limited, and provides systems solutions, communications and software services, technical outsourcing, business products, technical support services and e-business consulting throughout the Caribbean. With over 30 years of experience, ILLUMINAT is one of the largest information technology and communications company in the region. The company is based in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, with additional offices in Barbados, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Antigua. For more information, go to www.ILLUMINATnm.com.
