Alvarion® Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALVR), a
provider of optimized wireless broadband solutions addressing the
connectivity, coverage and capacity challenges of public and private
networks, today announced the multi-million dollar project with PLDT to
provide carrier-grade Wi-Fi access starting with over 3,000 hot zones
around Manila’s metropolitan area, and continuing to other major areas
around the Philippines. Installation has begun on the first phase and
the entire project is expected to be completed in two years. PLDT is the
largest telecommunications company in the Philippines providing the
largest and most diversified range of telecommunications services.
PLDT is revolutionizing its customers’ surfing experience with the
roll-out of Wi-Fi zones located in key cities in the Philippines. This
Wi-Fi Zone Project provides access to a premium, high-speed Wi-Fi
service in over 3,000 public areas such as cafes, bars and clubs, car
dealerships, salons, shopping malls, restaurants and cinemas. In order
to make this solution visually appealing around the city, Alvarion
designed graphical sleeves applied to the Wi-Fi units that make it
environment friendly and camouflage it with the surroundings. For a
minimal fee of P150.00 per month, PLDT myDSL subscribers get unlimited
access to the premium Wi-Fi Zone service using one username and password
in all of the 3,000 Wi-Fi zones nationwide.
Alvarion’s WBSn solution was chosen by PLDT amongst the vendors who
participated in a field trial performance test. These tests were
conducted in busy streets, parks, restaurants and office buildings
connecting handheld devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones.
Alvarion passed the criteria that included the capability in reaching
long distances, operating in Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS), overcoming dense
urban obstacles such as trees and solid structures, and penetrating
inside public buildings such as museums and libraries.
Network planning and carrier-grade advanced Wi-Fi technology allowed
Alvarion to strategically place one base station in a tactical location
that would provide connectivity inside malls and buildings and cover
distances of up to 500 meters while overcoming obstacles in both
Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-of-Sight conditions. PLDT required at
least 1 Mbps throughput at a 500 meter Line-of-Sight distance from the
base station.