Adam to build Adelaide metro WiMAX network

Adam Internet has won a tender from the South Australian Government to roll out a WiMAX network covering Adelaide's metropolitan area from October.

The project, titled AdamMax, has been funded through the Federal Government's Australian Broadband Guarantee, the South Australian Government's Broadband Development Fund, and by Adam Internet itself.

It was expected to be completed "towards the end of 2010", the ISP said.

Residents in broadband "blackspot" areas, particularly around Adelaide's southern suburbs where the network rollout was expected to begin, would be eligible to receive the AdamMax infrastructure for free.

This would be covered under Australian Broadband Guarantee funding and would likely cover the antenna, set-up and connection fees to the network.

"All they have to pay for is the ongoing monthly fees for accessing the service," a spokeswoman said.

Adam Internet said it would light up pre-existing [mobile] towers across the metropolitan area to deliver the service "with connection involving the installation of a low profile antenna on the roof of an affected house".

The ISP‘s chairman Greg Hicks anticipated the network would complement the national broadband network.

"Securing this project proves our business' strength in the marketplace and illustrates the confidence that the Federal and State Governments have in Adam Internet to deliver such a critical service to the community," Hicks said.