NZ's RoamAD wins Dominican Republic contract

Wireless network software specialist RoamAD said today that DR Telecom had selected its Wi-Fi equipment for a multi-city deployment in the Dominican Republic.

DR Telecom had begun deploying the first phase of RoamAD's wireless equipment in the capital, Santo Domingo. The company plans to set up a Wi-Fi network through the country.

RoamAD chief executive Martyn Levy said this was the first step in a large project to "unwire" the republic.

The first phase of the Santo Domingo network is scheduled for launch in February when DR Telecom will offer pre-paid, fixed and mobile voice and broadband data services. The network will also be used for other applications including video surveillance.

Mr Levy said RoamAD had been selected after a long period of due diligence. RoamAD's software was comparatively cheaper and much of the software work could be done remotely in Auckland.

RoamAD's platform won because of its flexibility, upgradeability, and high-performance, said Felix Rosario, vice-president, DR Telecom.

The full network roll-out will include providing coverage to the dense residential and business districts of all major cities in the republic (representing 59 per cent of the urban population and 1.2 million homes).

DR Telecom was founded and is owned by Roberto Luis Jimenez Collie, a pioneer of the cable TV industry and former chief executive of Aster, the republic's largest cable TV operator (with over 220,000 subscribers).

RoamAD last year gained a foothold in Australia with the sale of its technology in Perth to Australian telecommunications carrier Metromesh.

RoamAD's wireless network uses multiple radio nodes located around a metropolitan area to provide targeted wireless coverage.

Customers maintain and upgrade equipment themselves using RoamAD's design blueprint and standard hardware.

The company focuses on supplying, maintaining and upgrading software online from its Auckland office.

RoamAD is a privately owned company set up in 2001 to commercialise wireless technology.

- NZPA