Greek operator Cosmoline has confirmed that it has decided not to proceed with the implementation of a WiMAX wireless network.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cosmoline said that the decision was due to several market, regulatory and technical problems with…
Greek operator Cosmoline has confirmed that it has decided not to proceed with the implementation of a WiMAX wireless network.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cosmoline said that the decision was due to several market, regulatory and technical problems with WiMAX.
These included the withdrawal by major manufacturers, including Ericsson and Nokia, from the technology.
It also blamed its change of heart on a bureaucratic licensing process in Greece and the general economic crisis.
It said that WiMAX had not met the expectations of the global telecommunications market.? It added that the investment for the project – including network infrastructure and human resources – had been more than the cost of initially buying the licence. A Cosmoline spokesman told TelecomFinance that the original cost of the licence was E20m, with approximately E16m being paid in 2006 when the licence was granted.
He confirmed that the company had invested over E20m in investment in the project since then.
Cosmoline’s statement came after reports earlier this week that the Greek regulator had revoked Cosmoline’s WiMAX licence after failing to pay a E4.1m payment for the right to provide broadband fixed wireless access.
In its statement, Cosmoline said that it had requested the regulatory authorities to get rid of the obligation to make this payment because of the weak demand for WiMAX permits, but this had been refused.
Cosmoline currently offers fixed-line telephone and ADSL services. It also operates VPN networks for business customers.
