Adam Internet lights up first WiMAX service area

Adam Internet has lit up the first wireless service area on its AdamMax WiMAX network, giving 8,000 ADSL-deprived homes and businesses in the Adelaide metro access to "equivalent" broadband services.

Prices were also announced for the service.

The ISP said it had connected an undisclosed number of customers in the city's southern suburbs, including Reynella, Morphett Vale and Sheidow Park.

Further installations were planned in the suburbs of Aberfoyle Park, Lonsdale, Seaford Meadows, Moana, McLaren Vale and Aldinga Beach, the ISP said.

It was the first of 14 wireless service areas to be connected by the WiMAX network, which was jointly funded by the South Australian Government's Broadband Development Fund and
Adam Internet.

The areas would be connected by the end of next year.

"As a result of activating WiMAX technology in the first wireless service area, more than 8000 of the 55,000 residential and business premises in metropolitan Adelaide that are currently unable to receive ADSL services will finally have access to comparable broadband," Adam said.

AdamMax offers access to ADSL2-equivalent services via a low profile antenna installed on the roof of affected premises, the ISP said.

The maximum possible speed was 12Mbps/1Mbps but the ISP said it expected services to range between 4Mbps/1Mbps and 12Mbps/1Mbps.

Service plans started at $44.95 per month for 1GB of quota (500MB peak and 500MB off-peak). The largest plan offered 160GB for $124.95 per month.

Set-up costs, including the necessary antenna and router, were $750 on a no-contract plan, but it was possible to reduce this by committing to various levels of plans and contract periods.