Proxim Wireless Corporation was selected to provide indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity as well as point-to-multipoint connectivity for the third annual Commonwealth Youth Games, held in India.

Proxim officials said that IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd opted for Proxim's Tsunami MP.11 WiMAX (News - Alert) capable products and Proxim's ORiNOCO Wi-Fi Mesh to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials across 15 locations.

After evaluating competing systems, IL&FS Ecosmart selected Proxim as it had the ability to interconnect and cover 10 different stadiums and 5 hostels throughout Pune and Proxim’s ability to provide a single system that could offer seamless integration between WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh technologies.

"To prepare for the largest Commonwealth Youth Games to date, a wireless system was needed that could ensure secure, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for all of the athletes, officials and attendees throughout all of the facilities," said Ravi Chillara, CEO of IL&FS Wireless infrastructure and services division of IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd.

 

"To interconnect 15 locations and provide connectivity, it was evident we needed a system which incorporated both WiMAX and Wi-Fi mesh seamlessly in one solution. Proxim provided the most cost-effective, easy to use solution, and its unique ability to integrate WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh radios in a single system minimized the number of hops needed in the network."

Proxim's Tsunami MP.11 WiMAX capable products were chosen by IL&FS Ecosmart to connect multiple subscriber units located at each location to a central base station unit.

IL&FS then utilized Proxim's ORiNOCO Wi-Fi Mesh series radios to provide both indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity.

"A lot of people throw around the term 'end-to-end wireless,' but at Proxim, we actually make it happen. This deployment at the Commonwealth Youth Games is an ideal example of networks that need more than just one component of wireless," said Pankaj Manglik, president and CEO of Proxim Wireless (News - Alert).

 Manglik claimed that rather than purchasing separate WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh solutions that are not designed to work together, Proxim can provide the entire solution, ensuring optimal performance throughout the wireless network. This comprehensive approach is consistent with the company’s focus on meeting the customer's desired connectivity needs rather than forcing a single product or technology on a customer.

IL&FS officials said that though the network was originally designed only to support the event, but the company is now considering building a permanent city-wide wireless network to support more than 30 e-services.