High-speed internet and telephone services are now available vis WiMAX in Madison, Wisconsin, thanks to service provider TDS.

 

TDS’ WiMAX (News - Alert) signal is now available to about 65,000 customers in the Madison area for use in VoIP and broadband Internet services.

 

In order to launch its WiMAX services in this area, TDS constructed six transmission towers in Madison. The initiative cost the company millions of dollars to set up. TDS employees have been trialing the connectivity and service quality in Madison for the past ten months. The technology has been made available to the public after dedicated research and development.

 

“For small business entrepreneurs, telecommuters, gamers, individuals and families salivating for speed, this will be their preferred communications solution,” said TDS president and CEO Dave Wittwer, in a statement. “Offering a high-speed Internet product that is easy to use and install, as well as having incredibly fast upload speeds will be a welcome change for business and residential consumers.”

 

The new service allows digital voice and high-speed internet applications to be used over a single connection. It can be set up in residences or corporate buildings. Alvarion (News - Alert), a worldwide WiMAX provisioning firm, has been selected by TDS to provide packages through using IEEE 802.16e and the 2.5 GHz frequency. Customers can access these services by arranging for a TDS technician to install the required equipment in their homes or offices.

 

WiMAX has an advantage over WiFi in that it offers a secure signal rather than one that is shared. It also works within an established, carrier-grade network rather than an open network, and it has a range of service that can operate from up to 3 miles rather than a limited WiFi (News - Alert) range of around 300 feet, TDS said.

 

At the moment, TDS is offering its WiMAX service in areas that have the greatest signal strength. Discussions between Madison’s local authorities and TDS are already in process regarding the construction of additional signal towers which would allow TDS to extend its services to other parts of Madison. At the moment, heavily built areas cannot receive a good signal for WiMAX.