Proxim and NEC Begin Deployment of Large Retail Wireless Network
Proxim Wireless Corporation, a global provider of broadband wireless equipment and subsidiary of Terabeam, Inc., today announced that it is supplying NEC Infrontia Corp., a leading manufacturer of key telephone systems and point-of-sale (POS) systems, with the infrastructure to deploy Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless POS solutions throughout Japan in all of the locations of two large retail chains. These deployments are individually the largest retail wireless networks in both companies’ history.
Wireless LAN technology, commonly known as Wi-Fi, has become accepted globally as a prevalent method of wireless broadband Internet access. The performance, reliability and evolving features of this technology have now made it suitable for enterprise customers? mission-critical communications as well. Thus, NEC worked with Proxim to create a solution to enable connectivity for both hotspot and point-of-sale transaction traffic. Proxim even developed a specific version of its world-class AP-4000 access point to support the Japan W52 and W53 frequency bands at 5.13-5.35 GHz. The access points carry the NEC brand, and NEC bundles them with additional components to deliver complete hotspot and POS solutions.
The initial project contemplates at least 20,000 access points being delivered and installed over a 12-month period, to equip all of the Japanese locations of the two large retail chains, with over 6,000 units of the equipment already installed or on the way. While these projects will focus on Japan, the two companies will pursue similar deployments in other countries as well.
?NEC is defining next-generation information and communication solutions for specific vertical segments such as retail, and Proxim is actively supporting us in that regard,? said Hidetoshi Sato, Senior Manager, 1st Product Development Group, Advanced Appliance Development Division, NEC Infrontia Corp. ?Although it was Proxim?s leading ORiNOCO? wireless LAN product line which initially interested us, we decided to exclusively use their solution for these projects because of their flexibility in terms of design, their local presence, and their world-class support.?
?Proxim has one of the widest arrays of broadband wireless license-free products in the industry, from Wi-Fi to wireless Gigabit Ethernet,? said Joshua Chao, Proxim?s Vice President of Sales for the Asia Pacific. ?In addition, we are known for customizing our products to meet the requirements of the individual markets we serve, and we are pleased to have been able to address a significant need and opportunity in the Japanese market. We look forward to expanding upon this success throughout the Asia Pacific and in the rest of the world.?
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