Wide-Area Wireless Access Trial Planned

 

SOMAport

NTT Communications (NTT Com) will test a new system that enables broadband access to subscriber lines and the Internet from wireless desktop telephones and computers. The trial will take place from early September 2002 to the end of August 2003 in the Kanazawa area of Ishikawa Prefecture, in central Japan.

During the trial, service users will enjoy high-speed downlinks of up to 5.12 Mbps and uplinks of up to 319 Kbps for wireless broadband connections that enable Internet access, streaming media and carrier-grade voice services.

The AmosphereTM system, developed by San Francisco-based SOMA Networks, Inc., utilizes the SOMAportTM Internet access gateway appliance to provide always-on, wide-area network access.

The SOMAport is a high-performance computing resource containing a powerful Unix-driven CPU, multiple digital signal processors, memory and flash storage.

The unit connects easily to a PC or telephone, therefore requires no special installation or setup, and has its own built-in antenna. Unlike the installation of broadband services utilizing DSL or cable modems, the trial users will be able to install SOMAport on one's own, without having to bother with installation issues and costs.

The trial service realizes simultaneous data/voice usage, handling up to two lines for voice communications. Data connectivity is achieved with one 10Base-T (RJ-45) port or universal serial bus (USB1.1) port, and voice connection with two RJ-11 ports.

NTT Com aims to evaluate transmission quality, wireless propagation and the stability of connectivity with the Internet and subscriber telephone lines during the trial term.

NTT Com will recruit participants from among residents and businesses in the Kanazawa area beginning in early July via www.winq-kanazawa.net. Approximately 100 SOMAports are expected to be distributed for the trial.

As of early June, NTT Com had obtained a preliminary license from the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications to construct a wireless base station.