Redline Communications Inc. has grabbed
another $15 million in venture funding as it waits for the official
seal of approval for its fixed wireless products from the WiMAX
Forum.
With fixed products expected to arrive
towards the end of this year or early in 2006, the company says
that much of the new money will go towards developing mobile WiMax
products. "I would say the bulk of it will go towards the
[802.16]e platform," says Keith Duchett, Vice President of
marketing and product development.
The main difference between fixed (802.16d)
and mobile (802.16e) WiMax products is that the latter specification
has been enhanced so that users will be able to maintain connectivity
while driving between base stations.
The rest of the funding will go to building
out the firm's sales force.
Redline says that its fixed-line products
are already at the Cetecom SA labs in Spain. Interoperability
testing on WiMax products is due to start this month.
The six-year old startup has scored $58
million worth of funding in total. The latest round was led by
Growth Fund Private Equity Group and joined by Matrix Partners
and U.S. Venture Partners.