Nortel will build a wireless network to bring high-speed wireless Internet access to 21,000 square kilometers of rural southeast Alberta administered by the Alberta Special Areas Board.

It is believed to be the first commercial broadband wireless access network in Canada based on the fixed WiMAX standard. The system will operate in the 3.5GHz spectrum band and be made available to roughly 80 percent of area residents by the end of next summer.

"This WiMAX network will support our goal of bridging the digital divide through affordable broadband wireless Internet services to users located in rural areas of Alberta," says SAB chair Jay J. Slemp.

Nortel will supply fixed WiMAX base stations, indoor and outdoor customer premises equipment and wireless backhaul equipment, as well as installation and professional services.

The network will equip homes and businesses in the area with fixed broadband wireless access at data rates between 1-3 Mbps, which is comparable to cable-broadband and DSL connections. The system will support sophisticated broadband services such as email, high-speed Internet access, and real-time business collaboration services. It will also support video surveillance and remote telemetry.