Aperto Networks, a leading WiMAX-class broadband wireless multiservice systems provider serving more than 200 operators in 60 countries, is launching its PacketMAX broadband wireless portfolio. The PacketMAX portfolio will provide carriers unprecedented range in the types and tiers of services and features it can now deliver to residential and business subscribers worldwide.

The PacketMAX system, based on an Advanced TCA (Telecom Computing Architecture) chassis, gives carriers the full benefits of a WiMAX Forum™-certified ecosystem, a clear path to portability and mobility, powerful Voice over IP features, and a common platform shared with Aperto's existing PacketWave® architecture. The company expects to conduct WiMAX Forum lab certification starting in July and begin limited production shipments for 3.5-GHz systems during the third quarter of 2005(a), followed shortly by 2.5-GHz and 5-GHz frequencies, supporting all WiMAX Forum TDD profiles in all frequencies.

PacketMAX expands on the successful PacketWave product portfolio by providing a WiMAX-certified series of Base Stations and Element Management System:

• PacketMAX 5000—an ATCA based Modular Base Station
• PacketMAX 3000—a stackable Mini Base Station
• PacketMAX 2000—a single-sector Micro Base Station
• WaveMAX—Element Management System,

as well as a compatible and flexible range of WiMAX-certified Subscriber Equipment:

• PacketMAX 300 Series—Business-Class Subscriber Station
• PacketMAX 200 Series—Consumer-Class Subscriber Station
• Modular Options for Data only or integrated Voice and Data plus Wi-Fi.

These new devices will have full service-level compatibility with the classic PacketWave systems, as they share the same provisioning model and identical networking features (NAT, Routing, PPPoE, DHCP, etc).

According to the company, PacketMAX and PacketWave are the only WiMAX-class systems on the market today which support the full 3.3-GHz to 3.8-GHz frequency range enabling licensed deployments across India, Australia, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and elsewhere in South and Southeast Asia, in addition to Europe and Latin America.

The WiMAX Forum stipulated that the first round of certification efforts would focus exclusively on 3.5-GHz systems and components. This is the most widely used frequency in the world, although not yet authorized for commercial use in the United States.