While major operators are starting to take a closer look at deploying hybrid networks that combine wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and WiMAX, the Canadian government has already deployed a satellite-enabled WiMAX system that is providing broadband connectivity to remote regions in Quebec that otherwise would have no other means of high-speed Internet access.

John Delorme, senior network administrator with the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), a municipal organization that covers all the communities in Quebec north of the 55^th parallel, told Satellite News that the project began in 1998 when KRG found that “no private company would come up and provide Internet services. So [the KRG said], ‘We will do it ourselves.'”

KRG deployed a test installation in 1999 to show proof of concept. In 2002, the provincial and federal government supplied full financing for the network. “It is very interesting how we go it because it is fairly cutting edge technology that is being used throughout,” he said.

Delorme noted the KRG uses a mesh network built on ViaSat Inc.‘s Linkway 2100 frame relay product. KRG also has a hub site connected to a fiber network, which provides the high capacity needed for the digital video broadcasting channel. KRG partners with two other not-for-profit organizations in other provinces, sharing capacity in the C-band on Telesat’s Anik-F2 satellite.

“This 26 megahertz of capacity provides Internet connectivity for 14 communities in Quebec, 10 in Ontario and 10 in Manitoba,” Delorme said.

For the terrestrial wireless section of the network, “we have a last mile that is done with WiMAX in Quebec only. The other provinces use cable infrastructure,” Delorme said. “We chose WiMAX because there was no cable deployed in these areas.” KRG uses technology built by Nextnet Wireless, he said.

The service is licensed by the Canadian government to operate in the 2.5 gigahertz spectrum and operates in a non-line-of-site environment. There is one base station deployed per community with an omni antenna that will cover entire communities. The largest community using one of the base stations has a population of 2,200 people. Households have a modem that measures roughly 8 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch. There is no outside antenna or outside cabling needed to connect to the network.

“It is very user friendly for the end user,” Delorme said.

(John Delorme, KRG, 819/964-2027)