In another global win which bodes well for its Southern African activities, Marconi has undertaken the world`s largest broadband access project. Marconi has supplied Retevision, Spain`s second operator, with a turnkey point-to-multipoint wireless network that will deliver high-speed voice, data and Internet services to business and residential users in major population centres throughout the country.
The new nationwide 26GHz network comprises 350,000 wireless lines, more than 12,000 network terminals, and hundreds more base stations located on buildings and free-standing towers. With its DMS point-to-multipoint products and technology capable of supporting high speed transmission rates, Marconi is one of the most important providers of this network.
Koos Vorster, chief executive of Marconi Communications South Africa (MCSA), says wireless technology is particularly relevant for Southern Africa. "It is particularly cost effective over vast distances and is ideal for countries with minimal infrastructure," he says.
Despite the complexity of the rollout, the network was delivered in record time, with fully-fledged operation scheduled to come online just 12 months after the contract was awarded.
"As the world`s largest-ever broadband wireless access project, the logistical complexity of the rollout was enormous. The fact that we were able to get a network of this size and scale installed and operational so quickly is testament to the organisational skill of our new, multi-lingual Services group," said Peter Brown, President, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia, Marconi Communications.
Marconi Communications South Africa (MCSA) has around 850 employees with its head office and network division in Midrand and a production plant in Springs.
Marconi plc is a global communications and IT company with around 49,000 employees worldwide and sales in more than 100 countries. It supplies advanced communications solutions and the key technologies and services for the Internet. Marconi plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol MNI and NASDAQ under the symbol MONI.
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