Spike Technologies Deploys Turnkey Fixed Wireless Access System In Ghana

GENEVA, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- TELECOM BOOTH #1010.001 -- Spike Technologies, Inc., a leading developer of broadband, point-to-multipoint fixed wireless access solutions, today announced the deployment of a turnkey PRIZM Broadband Delivery System 2000 (PRIZM BDS 2000) in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Africa.

Amalgamated Network Systems (ANS), an operator and systems integrator in Ghana has deployed Spike's wireless broadband system to fill a void in the nation's current telecommunications landscape. With no secure data-sharing infrastructure in place, there was no reliable way for banks in the city to network their systems together, creating a substantial gap in their available suite of customer services.

Using Spike's PRIZM BDS 2000, ANS is now offering secure virtual private networking (VPN) services to connect 23 bank branch offices, 200 point of sale (POS) systems and numerous ATM machines throughout the city, eliminating this problem. The system makes banking operations more efficient, facilitating better basic services for customers.

"Ghana, like many parts of Africa, is void of reliable communications infrastructure," said Kwaku Boadu, CEO, ANS. "Spike Technologies brought a proven solution to our region in its PRIZM BDS 2000. We now have a solution to offer customers with the reliability and broadband capabilities required to support the numerous business applications our clients require to compete effectively in today's global economy."

A cost-effective solution capable of creating a secure high-speed VPN was an essential requirement in selecting a broadband solution for supporting a prominent member of Ghana's banking industry. Additionally, the system had to seamlessly integrate with legacy systems and support both synchronous and asynchronous communications over an IP platform. After evaluating both a fiber optic solution, which was too costly and too slow to deploy, and a satellite system, which did not provide adequate bandwidth and would be impaired by the dramatic climate fluctuations of the region, ANS selected a wireless platform using Spike's PRIZM BDS as it exceeded the company's expressed requirements.

PRIZM BDS is currently designed for the 2.1-2.7 GHz and 3.4-3.7 GHz frequency bands. The PRIZM system provides up to 220 Mbps of aggregate bandwidth among up to 22 independent sectors while utilizing as little as 24 total MHz of spectrum. This high degree of spectral efficiency ensures operators will have ample spectrum available to continue building out new cells within their broadcast transmissions areas (BTA's). The product is highly scalable and can be deployed in a microcell or supercell configuration, or a combination of both depending on the unique characteristics of the environment at hand.

Currently using nine of the possible 22 sectors of Spike's PRIZM BDS, ANS is providing wireless, secure VPNs to the banking industry and numerous other businesses in the area. The frequencies being used are in the 2.2 -- 2.5 GHz range.

"We have created a virtual private network for Ghana's number one bank, Standard Chartered, that for the first time enabled interconnectivity among its branches and ATMs," continues Boadu. "For the first time ever, I can deposit my money in branch A, and withdraw it from branch B. There is little question what a dramatic impact the PRIZM system is going to have on the growth and prosperity of this region."

"Banks need secure means of communicating," said Edward Champy, Executive Vice President, Spike Technologies. "Without the secure VPN provided by Spike's PRIZM BDS, the ability for the banking industry in Ghana to grow was severely hampered. Not only can this industry now flourish, but the local population can take advantage of the new financial services that will be made possible. This installation illustrates how a quickly deployed wireless communications infrastructure can dramatically change the economic outlook of a region."

Future phases of this project call for Spike to deploy additional systems for increased coverage and redundant links, where necessary, for backup security for the financial industry. ANS also plans to rollout additional PRIZM BDS units to further develop the communications infrastructure throughout West Africa.

Spike Technologies, Inc. is the pioneer of sectored antenna technology, which enables unparalleled frequency reuse. Spike's PRIZM Broadband Delivery System enables point to multipoint wireless transmission of high bandwidth data, voice, and video applications through its standards based IP environment. Supporting licensed frequencies between 2 - 4 GHz, the award winning PRIZM BDS is the most scalable, spectrally efficient, broadband fixed wireless access system shipping today.

Spike Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in Nashua, NH, and has offices in New York City and the United Kingdom. Spike's web site is located at http://www.spke.com. SOURCE Spike Technologies, Inc.