Soma Networks today said it has made one of its first sales of 700 MHz broadband wireless equipment, selling its FlexMAX system to CTC Telecom in Wisconsin to deploy in hard-to-reach and rural areas.

The 700 MHz UHF bands have long been prized because of their long reach, making the optimal for non-urban deployments where signals have to travel miles from the base station to reach customers. Until recently, however, winners of the first 700 MHz auction have not been able to use their spectrum because incumbent broadcasters had not vacated.

CTC will use the new gear to reach customers in Ladysmith, Wis., offering Internet and VoIP packages over the IP connection. CTC said that by deploying the system it is able to reduce operational overhead costs by 90%. The Soma system replaces an earlier broadband wireless network that required the mounting of an external antenna, while the Soma kit uses a portable gateway. The FlexMAX system is based on the IEEE 802.16e technology Soma is submitting for WiMAX certification.