– as E. Networks introduces WiMax technology
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo’s vision for Guyana to be on par with the rest of the world in Information Communication Technology (ICT) was complemented on Monday evening when WiMAX 4G broadband was launched.

The service pioneered by Managing Director of E-Networks, Vishok Persaud, was launched at the Georgetown Club in the presence of the Head of State, other officials in the government and the telecommunications sector including China’s Huawei technologies.
The new WiMAX network covers Georgetown and its environs including Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, providing high speed wireless broadband services.

WiMAX is a wireless technology that provides high speed internet access to homes and offices and has the added benefit of being mobile.

The new technology erases the need for a connection crew visiting the home or office of a customer and has a speed that surpasses that of the current wire line infrastructure in Guyana.

President Jagdeo described the technology as an advanced system that will catapult Guyana in the forefront of cutting edge technology around the world.
“WiMAX service is ahead of most countries in the world. If we have to close the digital divide, we must close it with technologies that are more advanced than other countries have… ICT would lead the way forward for Guyana. It will be one of the new sectors that will generate greater disposable income, it will create thousands of jobs,” President Jagdeo said.

The Guyana Government has partnered with Huawei on a US$35M contract whereby the Chinese company will deploy WiMAX systems throughout all the towns in Guyana and the installation of another technology for rural areas to gain access.

President Jagdeo said, “This will allow us to move fully into E-Government mode, hooking up our schools, our hospitals and everything else so that we can deploy technology to the service of our people.”
With government’s plan of bringing a fibre optic cable from Brazil covering Charity in Region Two and Moleson Creek in Region Six, President Jagdeo said there will be enough bandwidth to deploy different kinds of wireless technologies.
Through the use of the WiMAX technology, President Jagdeo is optimistic that Guyana’s level of competitiveness and efficiency in health, education, agriculture and manufacturing will improve significantly.

WiMAX has given E. Networks the capital to offer flexible prepaid plans costing as low as $1000, the aim of which is to make internet access affordable to all Guyanese customers.
The initiative began ten years ago when E.Networks began exploring options for large quantity bandwidth with the announcement of a fibre optic cable investment by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), coupled with Government’s commitment to the Information Technology (IT) sector.

The company won the partnership of Huawei, China’s world leading telecommunication solution and service supplier. Huawei currently has 79 commercial WiMAX network contracts worldwide and ranks number one in terms of newly added versions.

In 2009 Huawei recorded US$30.2B in contract sales and has become the number two telecom supplier only after Ericsson and also one of the top 500 companies globally.

The Accounts Manager of Huawei, who was present at the launch, said the company has a wealth of experience partnering with operators from Europe, North America, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Middle East and Africa to deliver global WiMAX projects. (GINA)