Hanaro Tests Navini’s NLOS System in Korea

Korean broadband provider Hanaro Telecom has announced plans to test fixed wireless equipment from Navini Networks.

Richardson, Texas-based Navini said that Hanaro will test its proprietary non-line-of-sight (NLOS) Ripwave system on the 2.3GHz licensed spectrum that has been earmarked for high-speed wireless Internet services by the Korean government.

The Ripwave system comprises a synchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) base station; plug-and-play PCMCIA, USB and Ethernet modems; and an IP-based element manager that allows operators to monitor services. The base stations typically cover a range of five to eight miles (around three miles in unlicensed spectrum) and deliver bandwidth of around 2Mbps.

South Korea is the world’s fastest-growing broadband market, thanks in part to government subsidization. The country’s leading broadband carrier, KT Corp, is also in trials with Navini. The telco giant is testing the Ripwave system in Seoul, which has the highest percentage of broadband Internet users in the world.

In related news, wireless Internet service provider (WISP) U.S. Online said Tuesday that it is updating its network with equipment from Navini. The company said it would begin rolling out its NLOS high-speed service next month in Louisville, Ky.