Israeli WiMAX vendor Alvarion (Nasdaq:ALVR)announced earlier this week that it had signed a deal with French operator Altitude Telecom to deploy an advanced wireless broadband network across France.  Altitude will rely on Alvarion's BreezeMAX solution to roll out broadband wireless VoIP services to SMEs in addition to large businesses.  The French service provider is deploying Alvarion's solution to build a nationwide network using their 3.5GHz spectrum, to complement and upgrade its existing 26 GHz wireless telecommunications infrastructure.

This is certainly good news for folks in the WiMAX camp, although the spectrum is still an issue to be considered for a wider uptake.  Case in point: Altitude is the only current operator with a license to operate in the 3.5GHz throughout France.  Globes (an Israeli business e-daily) reports that the BreezeMAX network will be rolled out in four counties (initially in the Loire Valley, with plans for additional counties within a year).