Alvarion

Alvarion ltd.

Type	Public (NASDAQ: ALVR)
Industry	Electronics Communications
Founded	1992
Headquarters	Tel Aviv, Israel
Key people	CEO Hezi Lapid [1]
Products	Wireless Communications Broadband wireless Fixed wireless
Revenue	US$ 205.81 million (2010)
Operating income	US$ 167.72 million (2010)
Net income	US$ 98.47 million (2010)
Employees	715[1]
Website	www.alvarion.com

Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALVR), (TASE: ALVR) is a 4G communications company. The company manufactures and exports a range of network solutions, including WiMAX, IEEE, PtMP, TD-LTE and WiFi to service providers and enterprises covering a variety of industries such as mobile broadband, residential and business broadband, utilities, municipalities and public safety agencies.^{[2] [3]}

History

Alvarion's head office in Tel Aviv

Alvarion was originally incorporated as BreezeCOM Ltd. in September, 1992. In March 2000 BreezeCOM had an Initial Public Offering, selling 5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $20 per share. BreezeCOM's shares were listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol BRZE.^[4]

In August 2001, BreezeCOM merged with another Israeli company, Floware Wireless Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: FLRE), which was founded in 1993, changing its name to Alvarion.^[5]

In April 2003, Alvarion acquired InnoWave ECI Wireless Systems Ltd, from ECI Telecom. In July 2003 Alvarion signed a strategic partnership agreement with Intel to co-develop WiMAX based Broadband wireless access systems, using Intel’s WiMAX chips.^[6]

In December 2004, Alvarion acquired interWAVE Communications International (NASDAQ:IWAV) of Mountain View, California, which expanded the company’s product range into the mobile GSM equipment market and provided new expertise in mobile systems. Most of the interWAVE operations became Alvarion‘s Cellular Mobile business unit, which was sold to LGC Wireless, Inc. in November, 2006.^[7]

In February 2009, Alvarion announced that it was hired by Orange Botswana for turnkey WiMAX deployment, initially to cover Botswana’s two largest cities Gaborone and Francistown.^[8]

In November 2009 Alvarion started deploying a WiMAX wireless broadband network for the Australian ISP Adam Internet across metropolitan Adelaide, as a part of Australian government’s Broadband Guarantee Program.^[2]

In November 2011, Alvarion acquired Wavion, a provider of outdoor Wi-Fi applications for metro and rural areas with deployments in more than 75 countries. This acquisition is part of Alvarion’s strategic plan for shifting its primary focus from WiMAX-based RAN solutions to becoming a multi-technology wireless broadband solution provider.^[9]

Products and technology

Alvarion WiMAX Customer-premises equipment

Alvarion was one of the first companies to produce IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN equipment and made a major contribution to the development of the IEEE 802.11 standard itself. In collaboration with the Swedish Space Corporation and using its own BreezeNET DS.11 product, it also claims to hold a World record of longest Wireless LAN link ever achieved – 310 kilometers (190 mi) from ground to a weather balloon (although it had been heavily amplified, used a huge dish antenna, and had an automatic tracking system).^[10][11] This record is not found in The Guinness Book of Records, however.

Alvarion is also active in the development of the new IEEE 802.16x WiMAX standards and is one of the first manufacturers to offer mobile WiMAX systems.^[12]

Countries operating Alvarion equipment

• Angola^[13]
• Australia^[2]
• Canada
• Denmark^[14]
• India^[15]
• Israel^[5]
• Malta
• Mozambique
• Nigeria^[16]
• Russia
• South Africa^[16]
• Uganda
• United States

Commercial development

In November 2010, Alvarion was chosen by the telecommunication company 4G Africa^[17] to deploy 4G network in Cameroon.^[18] 4G Africa has the main goal to reduce digital divide by providing selected Sub-Sahara countries with the newly established 4G technology to reduce digital divide.

Wireless communications company ArrayComm announced the commercial availability of base stations from Alvarion using ArrayComm advanced beamforming software. ArrayComm officials said "using this technology, operators are able to see substantial improvement in system capacity, throughput, and range-yielding greater revenue from the investment in wireless infrastructure.^[19]"

Alvarion announced it will supply base stations and related services to India cell phone carrier Bharat Sanchar Nigam for a 4G wireless broadband network. Alvarion president and CEO Eran Gorev said "India has significant potential for wireless broadband, and this agreement further enhances our presence in the country." The project is worth an estimated $10 million.^[20][21]

Municipal officials in Houston selected Alvarion to deploy a citywide 4G network. According to city authorities, the network will improve traffic safety and congestion through remote control of 2500 traffic intersections and 1500 school zone flashers. Alvaron's WiMax network will also remotely monitor 500,000 water meters, reducing costs and improving customer service.^[22] The agreement includes free access to the 4G network for more than 300,000 residents in underserved, underprivileged communities.^[23]

Alvarion CEO Eran Gorev said,

Over the years we’ve been following the needs of our municipal and government customers and our solutions in this field are state-of-the-art. We’ve learned how to help cities offer their residents fundamental and advanced services such as connectivity hotspots, personal security and online municipal services, while allowing them to control costs.^[24]

In Oct 2010 Alvarion announced a 75 Million dollar deployment in Canada working with Xplornet Communications deploying 4Motion base stations, NMS and services to provide rural Broadband throughout the Country ^[25]

In May 2011, Alvarion launched 4G mobile networks in Mozambique and Uganda. The network will provide broadband connectivity to residential and business users as well as local municipalities. According to CEO Eran Gorev, Alvarion operates over 70 commercial 4G deployments in Africa.^[26]

In June 2011, Winncom Technologies, a distributor of wireless broadband networking equipment and accessories, announced that it has extended its distribution agreement with Alvarion to cover the Eastern European, Russian, and CIS regions. Bernie Vaysenberg, director of Sales for Winncom, said "We are pleased to join forces with Alvarion to provide high-speed, reliable wireless broadband services to the Eastern European market."^[27]

In June 2011, Dimension Data announced a partnership with Alvarion. Nicholas Shaw, general manager of Dimension's Advanced Infrastructure, described Alvarion's presence in Africa as "a strong support structure and services network on the continent." Shaw believes Alvarion will "bring connectivity to sites that fall outside of commercial networks or where fibre just isn't an option." ^[28]

In July 2011, Bandera Electric Cooperative announced it will deploy a 4G network from Alvarion to linemen and technical service personnel operating utility truck. The network will provide real-time information of the electric grid for BEC vehicles.^[29]

In August 2011, Bloosurf, a broadband service provider in Maryland, chose Alvarion to deploy 4G wireless network that will serve the county and university campuses.^[30][31]

See also

• Silicon Wadi
• Economy of Israel

References

External links

• Alvarion
• 4G Africa

v t e TA 100 companies of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Africa Israel Investments Alvarion Bank Hapoalim Bank Leumi Bank Mizrahi-Tfahot BAZAN - Oil Refineries Bezeq - The Israel Telecommunication Corp Cellcom Ceragon Networks Delek Group Discount Investment Corporation El Al Elco Holdings Elbit Imaging Elbit Systems Elron Electronic Industries First International Bank of Israel Frutarom Given Imaging Harel Insurance and Financial Services Housing & Construction Holding HOT Israel Chemicals Israel Corporation Israel Discount Bank Koor Industries MA Industries Migdal Insurance and Financial Holdings NICE Systems Ormat Industries Osem Partner Communications Company Paz Oil Company Perrigo Company Strauss Group Radvision Retalix Shufersal Teva Pharmaceutical Industries