Axell Wireless gets the Maldives talking

Unique coverage solution paves the way for alternative approaches in mainstream markets

CommunicAsia, Singapore, 21st June 2011 – Wireless coverage specialist, Axell Wireless has delivered a unique solution for the provision of mobile network coverage throughout Male, capital of the island nation, the Maldives. Faced with narrow streets, tightly packed buildings and restrictions on cell towers, the company worked with mobile operator Wataniya Telecom Maldives to deliver 2G and 3G coverage via distributed multi-band digital repeaters linked to a ‘base station hotel’.

The Maldives capital occupies an entire island which has been comprehensively developed. The narrow streets and dense built environment are not ideal for the RF (radio frequency) penetration required by mobile networks. That situation is further complicated by the civic administrators’ understandable desire to limit visual impacts on the skyline. Wataniya, the operator covering the Republic of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, turned to Axell Wireless to design a solution that allows the commercial opportunities to be exploited, without the need for traditional cell towers. The island now has comprehensive mobile voice and broadband data services that can be easily upgraded when further capacity is required.

In what is believed to be the first installation of its kind, Axell Wireless solved Wataniya’s problem by applying repeater technologies, which are normally associated with providing mobile coverage indoors. A central site has been equipped with a number of base stations that all receive and transmit via a single cell tower and these base stations are linked by fibre optic connections to Axell Wireless’ multi-band repeaters. The repeaters are distributed around the island to create coverage ‘clouds’ where required. Additional base stations and repeaters can be added as more capacity is required.

Hussain Niyaz, Senior Manager Network Planning at Wataniya, explained: The layout of Male, with its dense buildings and narrow streets, raised a unique set of challenges that we needed to overcome in order to successfully deploy outdoor 3G coverage. Axell Wireless allowed us to solve these issues and provide 3G coverage at street level in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Ian Brown, CEO, Axell Wireless, commented: “This was a challenging coverage issue that we addressed by using an outdoor coverage solution, fixed to a specific location, that is able to propagate network coverage over a wide area. Using this network design principle, mobile operators have the flexibility to provide additional coverage to meet capacity, and subscriber demand for voice and data services.”

He added: “New high speed mobile networks, such as those based on LTE technology are going to require a significant increase in cell towers. The sort of network we provisioned in the Maldives is an alternative approach that may have application for environmentally sensitive installations in major urban centres.”

Axell Wireless is attending the CommunicAsia conference in Singapore (21st – 24th June), the company will be located at stand No 1A3-03.

ENDS

About Axell Wireless

Axell Wireless was formed by the 2007 merger of AFL and Avitec, and today is one of the top 3 global providers of wireless coverage solutions and the No 1 provider of solutions for the public safety market. Employing over 300 people, Axell Wireless has headquarters in Chesham, UK with another major facility based in Stockholm, Sweden. Current regional offices include Germany, Austria, France, United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, UAE and Canada. A wide distribution network, an extensive and expanding product range and a growing number of local sales offices make Axell Wireless a truly global player in the wireless coverage industry. www.axellwireless.com

For further information, please contact:

Matt Humphries at Babel PR

Tel: +44 (0)20 7434 5550

Email: axellwireless@babelpr.com