Contract for 700 MHz WiMAX equipment awarded

Berkeley Varitronics Systems has been awarded a contract to develop 700 MHz Gator Transmitter and Coyote Receiver drive study systems.

"700 MHz drive study equipment is in great demand, especially since spectrum owners such as Aloha Partners own a significant footprint throughout the US. More recently, Google has pre-bidded giant blocks of 700 MHz spectrum estimated to cost over $4 billion, which has gotten everyone's attention," said Scott Schober, president and CEO of BVS.

"Like traditional 800 MHz cellular, 700 MHz is attractive for broadband wireless operators because of the lower cost structure to deploy at the lower frequencies. Signals naturally penetrate through foliage and through fixed obstacles such as buildings. Therefore, a 700 MHz deployment would theoretically cost a third of a PCS deployment because of the greater distances the radio frequency (RF) can travel, thus requiring fewer base stations. This is exciting to service providers who can provide high-speed mobile TV and wireless internet to laptops, PDAs and most important, to your mobile phone."