TeleBarbados deploys Arris 700MHz broadband solution

Barbadian telco TeleBarbados has deployed the WiDOX 700MHz broadband access solution of equipment supplier Arris (Nasdaq: ARRS) to cover rural areas, Arris said in a statement. The Arris WiDOX solution provides fixed wireless solutions from a single tower to cover large geographic areas, thus eliminating high infrastructure costs of deploying multiple towers, Arris said. Angelo Bione, Arris' senior director of product management for wireless, told BNamericas that the solution is based on DOCSIS protocols, which are also used for cable TV. Bione believes that the WiDOX solution is able to provide connectivity at rates competitive with other technologies used for providing broadband communications in rural environments such as fixed WiMax. "WiMax hasn't come down to 700MHz yet, and LTE is not here yet. I feel our costs are competitive for the outdoor unit market," Bione said. "We have three towers up that cover a large segment of the populated island as opposed to technologies that require you to put towers up every 2-3km," Bione added. Arris has similar deployments in Guyana, Costa Rica and several locations in South America, the executive said. The topography of Barbados, which is mostly low lying with some mountains in the interior, lends itself well to Arris' technology, Bione said, as the mountains give elevation to the towers and improve connectivity coverage. Arris specializes in designing, engineering and supplying technology supporting triple and quad-play broadband services for the residential and business segments. Launched in June 2006, TeleBarbados serves the corporate and government sectors.