MUMBAI: Tata Communications has selected Telsima Corporation, a global player in WiMAX systems to provide WiMAX solutions for Tata Communications broadband wireless network in India.

In the initial phase, Tata Communications’ WiMAX network will offer Broadband Internet access and content services to enterprise and residential customers in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Cochin, Chandigarh, and Kolkata. By the end of 2008 Tata Communications plans to have enabled WiMAX retail broadband service in about 15 cities.

Tata Communications retail business unit president Shankar Prasad says, "Tata Communications seeks to enrich life by enabling reliable and affordable communication anytime, anywhere."

Tata Communications has selected Telsima to provide WiMAX infrastructure and subscriber equipment solutions to set up their commercial WiMAX network, with 3000 base station sectors already getting deployed. This will enable TATA consumers to access video, education, music and business services. Telsima’s solution equipped with STC/MRC technology will allow TATA to increase base station capacity thereby improving their ability to serve a larger number of customers with high quality and high speed broadband.

"WiMAX enables broadband services in a cost effective, decentralized manner in India where a majority of the country is not covered by wired infrastructure. The Indian broadband market, which today serves only 3.1 million customers in a nation with a population of over 1.2 billion, is forecast to grow significantly. The scale of unmet demand coupled with the emphasis on connectivity for education and the increasing ability to purchase Internet services will ensure that WiMAX broadband networks will thrive in this market," Prasad added.