Nortel has launched a municipal wireless mesh network trial in the city of Ariel, Israel, to deliver high-speed broadband wireless access and advanced wireless services to Ariel residents and municipal employees.

For the year-long trial, which forms part of Ariel's "Smart City" program, Nortel has deployed wireless mesh access points for high-speed wireless coverage in two key areas, along the city's pedestrian mall and at the campus of the College of Judea and Samaria.

Nortel's wireless mesh solution will deliver new municipal and college services to help fuel Ariel's economic development, lower operational costs, and improve public safety. Applications include wireless municipal surveillance cameras, remote water meter readings, wireless parking and traffic inspection, and wireless video and voice communications for municipal and college employees. High-speed Internet access for residents, visitors and college students will be provided free of charge for the duration of the trial.

Ron Nachman, mayor of Ariel, who initiated and is leading Ariel's "Smart City" program, said, "This wireless mesh network trial is another step towards realizing the 'Smart City' vision that I have been directing for several years. This time we are concentrating on creating a smart wireless city. By deploying municipal networks, powered by Nortel's wireless mesh solution, we can deliver a wide range of smarter, faster, wireless services. The city of Ariel is proud to be the first city in Israel to use this technology."

For the Ariel project, Nortel provided a wireless mesh solution that includes the Nortel Wireless Access Point (AP) 7220 for wireless access; http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?parId=0&segId=0&catId=W&prod_id=50180&locale=en-US

the Nortel Wireless Gateway (WG) 7250 for management of data and mobile security;
http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?parId=0&segId=0&catId=W&prod_id=50200&locale=en-US

and the Nortel Optivity Network Management System (NMS) for management of network components.
http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?parId=0&segId=0&catId=O&prod_id=25520&locale=en-US

In addition, Nortel provided a Business Communications Manager (BCM) 50, http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?parId=0&segId=0&catId=B&prod_id=51381&locale=en-US

WLAN IP Telephony Manager 2245,
http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?segId=0&parId=0&prod_id=46984&locale=en-US

and Nortel WLAN Handsets 2210.
http://products.nortel.com/ go/ product_content.jsp?parId=0&segId=0&catId=W&prod_id=47201&locale=en-US

End-user devices able to use the Ariel wireless mesh network include laptop computers, hand-held computers, Wi-Fi devices such as cameras, and at later date, Wi-Fi capable cellular telephones. Users can benefit from continuous wireless service while walking, cycling or even driving at low speeds, all delivered at bit rates similar to those enabled by home and office wireless networks.

Nortel has designed, installed and launched more than 300 wireless networks in over 70 countries. Nortel was the industry's first supplier with wireless networks operating in all advanced radio technologies and is the only end-to-end provider of all next generation wireless solutions. Nortel's leadership in wireless data networks coupled with its enterprise strategy of delivering seamless voice, data, multimedia and converged IP-enabled solutions will allow businesses and consumers to enjoy a seamless, mobile broadband experience. ENS