Wireless Internet access may never be the same again, with Tikona
Digital Networks (TDN) announcing its plans to offer wireless
broadband using 4G technologies. The firm has launched its service,
Tikona Wi-Bro, in 10 cities across India. The company also plans to
roll out its network in 50 cities by the end of 2010. Tikona is
leveraging unlicensed spectrum of 5.8GHz and 2.4 GHz and using 4G
technologies to offer wireless broadband.
In India, broadband penetration is already very low compared to
that of mobiles. Moreover, consumers face problems such as slow and
inconsistent speeds, poor quality of customer support, high billing
without alerts to users, longer wait period for installation by
operations, lack of innovative service and too many plans.
Tikona’s wireless broadband infrastructure is capable of
speeds up to 11Mbps and is based on 4th generation technologies
like MIMO and OFDM, which provide fixed broadband experience
wirelessly. The solutions are available for both home users as well
as businesses, to make their Internet connectivity truly wireless
with zero cabling required. However, to address the concerns of
wireless security and unauthorized access, TDN has deployed WPA2,
which is the highest level of security available on wireless
networks to reduce security risks arising from self installed Wi-Fi
devices. Tikona’s Wi-Bro service is also bundled with a free
anti virus solution. Customers, including business, also do not
need to invest in a wireless router or pay any installments.
Prakash Bajpai, Founder, MD & CEO, Tikona Digital Networks
said, “Broadband is required not only in homes, but also in
every branch and main office of a business ranging from SMEs to
large MNCs. Corporates are increasingly using broadband to connect
their extended enterprises comprising dealers, distributors and
employees.”
In the last 8 months, Tikona has spread its presence in 8 cities
of India. As of now, it has a 35 percent wireless coverage in
Mumbai and 15 coverage in Delhi through its Microcell architecture.
The company expects to have 100 percent coverage in the NCR region
within the next 5-6 months.
The company has already setup 16,000 receivers which are in the
form of Micro BTS installed on the roof of buildings.These devices
are much smaller than the traditional BTS used for WiMax and other
technologies. Once a micro BTS is installed at a building,
customers can access Internet wirelessly in the 300-400m range.
Tikona plans to increase its receiver base to 90,000 and invest Rs
500 crore by the end of the year and expects to have presence in
top 50 cities in India.