Motorola has reached agreement with SOFTBANK Group for the deployment of a WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e-2005) trial network in Tokyo.

Motorola is supplying an end-to-end trial system including access points, an access network, and prototype WiMAX mobile handheld devices. The trial will enable SOFTBANK Group to assess the effectiveness of WiMAX as a wireless broadband technology, and its potential as an integrated part of SOFTBANK’s growing portfolio of telecommunications services.

Expected to begin in September 2006, the five-month trial will focus on performance of WiMAX in the 2.5GHz spectrum with regards to throughput and range, as well as the speed of network handovers between access points.

Motorola will be deploying five WiMAX access points and 25 prototype WiMAX mobile handheld devices. The trial will also showcase MIMO (multi-input, multi-output) capabilities of Motorola’s WiMAX solutions in supporting multi-antenna telecommunications systems as well as enabling greater data throughput and range. Motorola will also lend its wireless broadband expertise by providing technical support and consulting throughout the WiMAX trial.

“Forward-looking service providers today clearly see the potential of WiMAX as a viable and crucial wireless broadband technology to deploy seamless mobility services. As a pioneer in WiMAX, Motorola is committed to providing such innovative technology to fast growing telecommunications markets such as Japan,” said Dr. Simon Leung, regional president, Asia Pacific, Motorola.

“The SOFTBANK Group has been preparing to provide innovative new services to launch full-scale wireless broadband services and to realize a true ubiquitous society. We are confident that our new cooperation with Motorola, a company capable of providing optimal solution proposals for the demonstration of WiMAX, will enable us to further improve communication technologies and to take another big step toward commercialization.” said Junichi Miyakawa, executive officer, executive vice president, Vodafone K.K.