Flash OFDM technology to increase rural penetration

EXPANSION: Providing Internet and mobile communication services in sparsely populated rural or remote areas has always been a challenge for service providers and this technology is to be introduced to Sri Lanka soon and this technology could increase mobile penetration and would increase communication between the City and the rural areas Siemens Networks Malaysia CEO Joe Doering said.

Siemens Networks Malaysia recently showcased a high-speed mobile broadband wireless access technology that can be used to help people in suburban areas get online. The technology is called FLASH OFDM, short for "Fast-hopping Low-latency Access with Seamless Handover Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing."

FLASH OFDM makes use of the lower 450MHz frequency spectrum, which enables it to cover a distance of up to 70km due to the low-loss properties of the frequency band. It is capable of high data average download throughputs of up to 2.5Mbps at a high speed of up to 250km per hour, bursting up to 5.3Mbps in individual cases.

By simply plugging a FLASH OFDM data card or modem into a desktop or notebook PC, one can use its broadband speeds to surf the Internet, make VoIP (Voice-over-Internet Protocol) calls, participate in video-conferencing or enjoy video streaming.

"FLASH OFDM is not new, however. It is a proven technology and has already been or will be implemented in several countries, such as Finland, Slovakia and the United States," said Joe Doering, chief executive officer of Siemens Networks Malaysia. He was speaking at the recent Siemens Digital Lifestyle Awareness Showcase here.

However, he said, Siemens Networks has taken FLASH OFDM technology a step further by enabling it to be integrated with its nanoGSM picocell base stations.

With the FLASH OFDM as a backhaul to connect nanoGSM base stations together, mobile networks operators can now extend their GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) services communities living in remote areas.