New Zealand based company RoamAD has made its software platform for Metro Wi-Fi available under a software-licensing model.

According to the company, Network systems integrators, network equipment vendors, and service providers in five countries are now licensing RoamAD's software to build their own metro Wi-Fi networks. The networks are being used for mobile VOIP and high-speed mobile data applications.

RoamAD's software platform operates on multi-radio network nodes built to RoamAD's hardware reference design. The network nodes, each with 1 - 4 radios, use a combination of 802.11a and 802.11b radios for both end user coverage and wireless backhaul. The network nodes are made from low-cost, readily available, industry standard components.

As a result of market demand, RoamAD now offers the option of licensing the software only to its partners. RoamAD previously supplied both hardware and software.

RoamAD's partners either buy multi-radio network nodes directly from suppliers who already manufacture to the RoamAD reference design, or manufacture their own hardware. They then install RoamAD's network node software and network server software directly onto that hardware.

RoamAD networks are highly flexible, remotely upgradeable, and follow a roadmap to WiMAX and other emerging radio standards. RoamAD customers can dynamically upgrade existing network nodes to support new radio technology and applications without the need to replace core equipment.