Star-Tech buys Unwired WiMAX backhaul

The service runs on wholesale WiMAX capacity provided by Unwired that students access via Ethernet or WiFi connections onsite.

Students are guaranteed performance at a specific plan speed, which peaks at 1.9 to 2Mbps.

"We pass on surplus bandwidth so when it is quiet students can get more than their plan speeds," said Star-Tech's tertiary ISP division general manager, Jean Morel.

The ISP runs services in 16 tertiary residential halls in Australia, although this is the first time it has purchased backhaul from Unwired.

Morel said the other 15 sites use a mix of wireless or fibre backhaul.

He declined to reveal the ISP's current suppliers, although the company has previously announced agreements with the likes of BigAir.

"We've purchased a private point-to-point link from Unwired to deliver wholesale internet data to the site, which is then redistributed to students," Morel said.

"We're very pleased with it so far. We've been live since the beginning of the semester in February and have experienced no problems or packet loss."

Morel said Star-Tech would consider Unwired for its other sites when wholesale agreements with the other providers end.

"That goes without saying," Morel said.

"When the wholesale contracts are up for renewal we'll look at what's out there."

Pleased with the performance, Wesley College has also reportedly swapped out internet services in its own office in favour of the Star-Tech solution.

It is one of the first sales of the Unwired Business corporate grade fixed lnternet service made public since it launched in November 2008.

The links use privately held 3.5GHz spectrum.

A spokesperson for Unwired was unable to reveal the exact number of customers using the services.