WiMax comes to Romania

The first commercial wireless Internet service using WiMax technology (an advanced version of the current Wi-Fi technology, providing access through radio waves) could make its debut in Romania in the second half of this year, Peter Varadi, sales manager for Central and Eastern Europe of the Israeli company Alvarion told ZF. The company supplies technology for WiMax networks. Several mobile telephony, cable, as well as alternative telecommunications operators are testing WiMax technology in Romania and are planning on launching commercial services in the course of this year, primarily targeting residential areas in the big cities, said the Alvarion official. “I can”t see why Bucharest shouldn”t be completely covered by WiMax networks by the end of 2007,” said Varadi, adding that there will probably be several telecommunications operators, each with its own network, which will provide these services. ZF