on Mobile WiMAX in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Similarly, Magticom of Georgia will also be deploying Cisco’s WiMAX solution to extend mobile broadband throughout the country. In a third announcement, AsiaBell in Kazakhstan will be launching service based on Cisco’s WiMAX solutions.

Cisco Powers First 4G Network in Moscow and St. Petersburg

MOSCOW, Russia  Feb. 9, 2009 -- Scartel, provider of high-speed wireless Internet in Russia, is now offering access under the Yota brand and powered by Cisco's latest mobility technologies. Yota's network provides service within the Sadovoye Ring in Moscow and at the Vassilyevsky Island and Petrogradsky District in St. Petersburg. The network will provide a platform for high-speed, 4G mobile services that will help make "on-the-move" broadband access available to more people.

Mobile WiMAX, based on the IEEE 802.16e specification, is a 4G mobile wireless technology that enables high-speed Internet Protocol (IP)-based services for both businesses and consumers who want to access gaming, music, video streaming, and transfer large files while on the go. The entire Yota core transport network is powered by Cisco service provider technologies.

"As Russia embraces the digital economy, the nation's broadband connectivity has to improve in parallel both in terms of penetration and bandwidth, and 4G WiMAX is the most efficient way of achieving this," says Scartel's CEO Dennis Sverdlov. "Cisco has always been at the forefront of innovation and IP-based solutions, so Cisco was an obvious choice for us to deliver a premier wireless broadband service to our business and consumer customers."

Cisco is providing Scartel with optical transport based on DWDM, a high-speed IP MPLS data network and data centre technologies designed to support high-quality video distribution. The network was designed to support the heavy traffic loads required of Scartel's network while offering an economical solution. Cisco demonstrated full interoperability between its WiMAX radio and core network platforms including WiMAX Profile C compliant ASN Gateway on the multi-service 7600 platform.

"Cisco is excited to partner with mobile service providers such as Scartel to offer some of the most comprehensive solutions and equipment to extend broadband beyond the reach of wired networks and improve users' quality of experience," said Sergey Belonozhko, Cisco area manager for Mobile. "As Mobile WiMAX continues to grow in popularity, we are working closely with our partners to help them achieve operational readiness in launching new services for their customers' evolving mobility needs."

Scartel is now working on plans to build a nationwide 4G mobile wireless Internet access network across all Russian cities. Customers can look forward to unprecedented coverage, data rates, rich media content, as well as uninterrupted access.

To connect to Mobile WiMAX, a laptop, PDA or communicator needs to support WiMAX or a 4G USB modem. From now till March 31, 2009, Yota is offering free access to the Internet and Yota services.

About Scartel

Scartel is a Russian developer and provider of mobile services based on state-of-the-art Mobile WiMAX 4G wireless high-speed Internet access technologies, in which the network is an instrument while services constitute a fundamental basis of business.

Scartel is the first Russian Mobile WiMAX™ (IEEE 802.16e-2005) network providing Internet access at 10 Mbps with seamless handover under Yota brand. Today the Yota network operates in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Yota offers unique mobile services based on high-speed Internet access: Mobile TV, heavy video content, music directory with thousands of leading worldwide labels, photo blogging portal and many others.

Scartel and Yota trademarks belong to Scartel. Detailed information about Yota services is available at www.yota.ru

Image of Dennis Sverdlov, courtesy of http://global.wimaxworld.com/

MagtiCom Launches First Mobile WiMAX Service in Georgia with Cisco End-to-End Solution

TBILISI, Georgia  Feb. 9, 2009 -- Cisco today announced that Georgian mobile operator MagtiCom launched its Mobile WiMAX services using the end-to-end Cisco® Broadband Wireless Solution.

MagtiCom is deploying a Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) that integrates mobile voice and WiMAX services into a single converged network. MagtiCom is currently offering broadband Internet via WiMAX in the capital, Tbilisi, as well as in nine major cities across the country. By the end of 2009, the operator is planning to cover all key cities and regional centers of Georgia with WiMAX broadband services.

"MagtiCom is dedicated to bringing the latest technological standards in the Internet space to Georgia. The service we are launching is not only the country's first WiMAX offering but also the fastest Internet connection available in Georgia to date," said MagtiCom's CEO David Lee. "Cisco was able to offer an end-to-end Mobile WiMAX solution based on its proven IP NGN architecture. This creates a solid platform for delivering multiple services over our converged IP infrastructure while positioning us for rapid growth in the future."

MagtiCom is offering WiMAX-based mobile Internet to both business and residential customers and is planning to deploy additional services such as residential voice over IP (VoIP) and managed voice/ virtual private network (VPN) for business customers.

As the lead systems integrator, the Cisco Advanced Services team supported MagtiCom through all phases of the project, including requirements planning, end-to-end network design for radio frequency and IP components, implementation, and overall program management. Greennet, a Cisco Certified Partner, was responsible for on-site services, such as site survey, drive testing and network optimization.

"In a country like Georgia, with a mountainous terrain and a low penetration of copper and optical wireline networks, wireless solutions are virtually the only way to help eliminate the digital divide. MagtiCom's new Cisco WiMAX network will help create an environment of digital inclusion for citizens," said Kaan Terzioglu, Cisco's vice president for Europe East. "WiMAX is an ideal technology for providing vast territories with mobile Internet access. Citizens and companies across Georgia can now enjoy the benefits of connectivity, be it for business, education, health care or new online services."

Cisco Broadband Wireless is an end-to-end IP Next-Generation network architecture providing Mobile WiMAX access with advanced beamforming technologies that maximize coverage and penetration while minimizing the number of cell sites required to deliver high-quality services even deep indoors or in difficult terrain.

Cisco's Broadband Wireless Solution is based on the Mobile WiMAX Profile-C Network Reference Model, which defines an open, standards-based interface between radio base stations and the packet gateways that support them, allowing operators to mix products from different vendors if they choose.

The solution incorporates the Cisco Broadband Wireless Gateway (BWG), Cisco 7600 Series Routers, Cisco BWX 8300 and 2300 Series Broadband Wireless Access Systems and Cisco Desktop Client Equipment.

The Cisco BWG delivers highly advanced functionality, service control and performance in a highly scalable, fault-tolerant package for the emerging WiMAX-based broadband wireless market. Integrated into the Cisco 7600 Series Router, the Cisco BWG uses the high-capacity parallel processing of the Cisco Service Application Module for IP (SAMI) to help deliver broadband wireless at access speeds previously available only with wireline access networks. The Cisco BWX 8305 and 2305 are class-leading, certified WiMAX base stations and antennas that feature advanced radio-frequency techniques such as adaptive beamforming to reduce service provider capital and operating expenses.

About MagtiCom

Mobile communications company MagtiCom Ltd was commercially launched in September 1997. It is owned by US-based companies International Telcell Cellular LLC and Telcell Wireless LLC. The MagtiCom network covers over 97% of the populated territory of Georgia. MagtiCom commenced operating on 900 MHz frequency band. In November 1999, it became the first GSM operator in Georgia to move to the dual-band system - GSM 900/1800 MHz. In 2006, MagtiCom launched third generation services along with the full range of GSM ones. Through its three brands Magti, Bali and Magti Fix, MagtiCom now renders service to one million nine hundred thousand customers.

Image of David Lee, courtesy of www.amcham.ge

Image of Kaan Terzioglu, courtesy of www.cisco.se

AsiaBell Brings Mobile WiMAX services to Central Kazakhstan with Cisco Technology

KARAGANDA, Kazakhstan  Feb. 9, 2009 -- Cisco today announced that AsiaBell launched its broadband Mobile WiMAX service in central Kazakhstan, based on Cisco's comprehensive Broadband Wireless Solution.

The service is offered under the brand "AERO" and is targeting an area with a population of 1 million people, including business as well as residential customers. Citizens and companies in the Karaganda region can now enjoy the benefits of mobile Internet, be it for business, education, health care, entertainment or e-government services. For the rollout of the service, AsiaBell chose Cisco's end-to-end Broadband Wireless Solution, including an Internet Protocol IP Multiprotocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) network core, which was integrated with the public switched telephone network (PSTN).

The solution incorporates the Cisco BWX 8300 Series Broadband Wireless Access System with Cisco® 7604 Routers, Cisco ME 6500 Series Ethernet Switches and Cisco Catalyst® ME 3750 Switches, Cisco AS5350XM Universal gateways, and Cisco ASA 5500 Series Adaptive Security Appliances. AsiaBell also offers subscribers Cisco modems for use with desktop and portable computers. The Cisco BWX 8305 base stations provide Mobile WiMAX⁽¹⁾ access services using innovative adaptive beamforming technologies that are designed to deliver excellent coverage and indoor penetration even in difficult conditions. Cisco's advanced beamforming technologies enable AsiaBell to deliver the desired coverage and capacity with fewer cell sites.

Stepan Vadyunin, CEO of AsiaBell: "We are pleased to announce the first Mobile WiMAX offering in the Karaganda region. AERO is a convenient service for our customers, as it allows them easy, highly secure and cost efficient broadband access. In addition, we are also offering virtual private network and voice services. Cisco's Mobile WiMAX solution, including the WiMAX Forum certified base stations, provide us with reliable indoor and outdoor coverage, which is essential for the roll-out of the service. So, mobile Internet is becoming a reality for small and medium-sized businesses and residents in the region. In 2009, we plan to expand AERO further across several regions of Kazakhstan and add video to our offering."

Massimo Migliuolo, vice president, Cisco Emerging Markets: "Cisco is seeing enormous demand for broadband availability across emerging markets. This is driving significant interest in WiMAX, as it can be deployed rapidly and is IP compatible. Countries and service providers want to leapfrog and install networks which are fast and are able to support rich media applications and services. A transformation to next generation networks using WiMAX technology can achieve this."

⁽¹⁾ based on IEEE 802.16e-2005

About AsiaBell

AsiaBell is a private service provider in Kazakhstan, offering telecom and Internet services to other service providers, commercial companies and individuals. AsiaBell's portfolio includes traditional communication services like local, long distance and international toll, ATM and dedicated lines. The largest part of its portfolio consists of state-of-the-art services such as Internet access, VPN, Triple Play networks, hosted services and operator for operators.

Image of Massimo Migliuolo, courtesy of http://blog.maxtelecom.bg

About Cisco Systems

Cisco is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco equipment in Emerging Markets is supplied by Cisco Systems International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc.

Information Source:    Cisco