At a time when most telecom operators are awaiting auctions for 3G and broadband spectrum, Mumbai-based Tikona Digital Networks has launched wireless broadband services across 10 cities utilising unlicensed air waves.

The company, which has an Internet Service Providers' licence, plans to expand its presence to 50 cities by the end of this year with an investment of Rs 500 crore.

Tikona is deploying the wireless broadband services on the Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output (MIMO) platform using about 110 Mhz of free spectrum in 2.4 Ghz and 5.8 Ghz frequency bands. Though there are multiple users on this band, Tikona claims that it has taken care of interference issues through a unique network architecture.

The company has partnered with global equipment vendors including Cisco and Ruckus Wireless to offer the service. Tikona is the first player to use MIMO platform in India.

Subscribers can get up to 2Mbps speeds, which is the fastest wireless broadband services in the current market. Monthly charges vary between Rs 299 and Rs 1,249 depending on the free download allowed. Customers will also have to pay Rs 500 as installation charges. Tikona offers a Circuit Breaker feature which enables subscribers to set a maximum amount they want to spend in a month for the service.

With WPA 2 and 802.1X provisions it offers the high level of security available on wireless network. Mr Prakash Bajpai, Founder, Managing Director and CEO, Tikona Digital Networks, said, “The current broadband internet scenario is similar to what the mobile scenario was 10 years ago. India has just a little under 10 million broadband while China has more than 120 million broadband. Wireless broadband is the only option for India to increase its broadband base to levels that are similar to China's.”