Experts

Motorola WiMAX Hometown Launch

Mari Silbey on December 1, 2009

Motorola ran its first major public demonstration of WiMAX more than two years ago on a boat at WiMAX World in Chicago. The windy city is Motorola’s hometown, and since the fabled boat ride there in 2007, many of us have been anxiously awaiting an official 4G service launch. That wait has now ended. Motorola and Clearwire have announced the availability of Clear WiMAX service in Chicago today. As part of the launch celebration, Motorola is donating laptops and USBw 100 adapters to students at the local Nativity BVM School, and Clearwire is providing twelve months of free WiMAX service.

Details:

Motorola is the infrastructure provider for the Clearwire WiMAX network in Chicago
Infrastructure equipment provided includes Motorola’s WAP 600 and WAP 450 Diversity Access Point products
Motorola also has two consumer WiMAX devices available for Clear customers in Chicago, the USBw 100 adapter, and the CPEi 150

The Chicago launch today coincides with WiMAX launches by Time Warner Cable (a Clear service reseller) in several North Carolina markets and Dallas, Texas.

Mari Silbey is the Editor of Media Experiences 2 Go, an official blog out of the Motorola Home and Networks Mobility business. While it is a corporate blog, posts only reflect one person’s opinion and not necessarily those of the company and/or its stakeholders. Mari Silbey worked with (though not directly for) Motorola from the time this part of the business was called the Broadband Communications Sector. A lot has changed since 2002-2003, and a lot more is going to change in the years ahead of us. As a blogger here, Mari’s job is to track where things are going in the industry based on what she can learn from within and what gets reported externally from other sources. Read the original post here.

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The Remaining Stimulus Rounds Have Been Consolidated, But Your Options for Funding Have Not

Robb Henshaw on November 24, 2009 | 4 comments

The broadband stimulus funding saga continues, with an interesting plot twist introduced last week. On November 10, the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that they were “streamlining” the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s broadband grant and loan programs by awarding the remaining funding in just one more round, instead of two rounds.

The RUS and NTIA claim that the goal of this consolidation is to “increase efficiency and better accommodate applicants”, thus helping them to disseminate the stimulus funds sooner and with better results. While any effort to help get the stimulus funds into the hands of WISPs and other service providers that will help deliver broadband to under-served areas sooner should be applauded, many fear that this consolidation will hurt their chances of securing funding. This fear is based on the prospect that a consolidated final round of funding will mean a) less time to prepare their applications, and b) more competition due to the perception that this is the final opportunity for broadband funding.

But just because the RUS and NTIA have consolidated the final “broadband stimulus” funding rounds into a single round does NOT mean that there is any less of an opportunity for funding – nor does it mean that this is the ONLY remaining option for funding. It is important to remember that – while the broadband stimulus funds are significant and are worthy of being pursued – they are not the only game in town when it comes to funding your broadband networks.

Where We Are Today

Back in August, the RUS and NTIA extended the original application deadline by a week to give more organizations a change to apply for the $4 billion that was to be awarded in the first round. Even with the extension, though, many WISPs, service providers and operators still struggled to pull together the extensive applications and meet all the requirements necessary to apply. As anyone who has reviewed the application process for securing stimulus funds knows, the process is quite lengthy and requires a good deal of resources to complete. And given the relatively short period of time between when applications were open and the deadline, it was no wonder that many organizations had difficulty pulling together all of the information, network designs, approvals/certifications, etc. required in order to apply on time.

Despite the challenges many … Read the rest

Samsung SWC-U200 is Available as Yota’s WiMAX USB Modem

WiMAXian on November 24, 2009 | 2 comments

samsung_swc_u200_small Samsung SWC-U200 USB modem is the Mobile WiMAX certified device which is fully compliant with Mobile WiMAX Wave2 profiles based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard. It utilizes CMC-730 Mobile WiMAX modem chipset designed and manufactured by Samsung Electronics, a leading provider of Mobile WiMAX solutions.

This device operates in 2.5GHz frequency band and offers high-speed connectivity in mobile environment with extremely low power consumption. It fully integrates direct up transmitter and ZIF receiver architecture, which has low noise, large dynamic range with high linearity.

Yota,WiMAX provider in Russia, offer the Samsung SWC-U200 as official Yota Mobile WiMAX USB Modem.

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The modem provides connection to Yota network at a speed of up to 10 Mb/s within the coverage area. It carries built-in Yota Access software necessary for the connection.

The recommended retail price for the Samsung SWC-U200 USB modem is 4500 RUB incl. VAT. Yota will provide free unlimited Internet access for all customers of this modem until March 31, 2009.

This modem is available in St. Petersburg’s largest electronics retail chains KEY, Svyaznoy, DIXIS and Teleforum.The start of sales in Moscow will be announced additionally.

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Samsung SWC-U200 distribution package contains subscriber ID card carrying login and password, as well as modem setup instruction. Upon connecting the device to the PC, the Yota Access software launches automatically. After installing Yota Access software to the PC, the subscriber should register himself on the www.yota.ru web site by entering login and password in the Self Care section. The whole installation process takes just several minutes. Upon the next connection, the Yota network will be automatically found within the coverage area.

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Mobile@mail has experience Yota test both on a notebook using Samsung SWC-U200 and the other was on HTC MAX 4G. What did happen ? SWC-U200 get Yota signal, while HTC MAX 4G didn’t get anything at all.

Another Yota user caught on video while watching streamed TV with Samsung SWC-U200 plugged in his laptop.We can see TV streaming was run smoothly.

At this time, Samsung SWC-U200 has proven is the best device to access Yota WiMAX in Russia. Hopefully next April 2009 all Yota network will be perform excellent for using any kind WiMAX devices.

Specifications:

Host Interface : USB2.0
Data transfer rate: up to 10 Mbps (download data), up to 3 Mbps (data)
Antenna: Built-in
Indicator Network: LED
Modulation: QPSK, 16/64QAM, OFDMA
Standard: IEEE 802.16e Wave 2
Frequency range: 2.5~2.7 GHz

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Leveraging 802.16e WiMAX Technology in unlicensed Spectrum

Monica Paolini on November 16, 2009 | 1 comment

wimax-antennas

License-exempt spectrum bands make it possible for operators who do not have access to licensed spectrum to deploy wireless broadband networks. Traditionally vendors have developed specific solutions for license-exempt operators, often based on proprietary technology that limits the flexibility and upgradability of their networks.

With IEEE 802.16e WiMAX, license-exempt operators have access to the most advanced wireless broadband technology on the market today and can take advantage of the same performance, ecosystem, and volume of scale that incumbent, nationwide wireless operators with licensed-spectrum can. While often positioned as a mobile broadband technology that operates in licensed bands, 802.16e WiMAX can also support fixed and nomadic services, and vertical applications in a range of frequencies up to 6 GHz, including license-exempt bands such as the 5.x GHz band and, in the US, the lightly licensed 3.65 GHz band.

As 802.16e WiMAX products for license-exempt bands are introduced in the market, operators need to know what the value proposition of using 802.16e WiMAX compared to alternative solutions is. How do they stand to gain from a technology that was developed to support mobility? Do they need the extra features that 802.16e WiMAX offers?

Why choose 802.16e WiMAX-based equipment?

The appeal of 802.16e WiMAX-based equipment to wireless operators either serving residential and business subscribers or hosting vertical applications is driven by the ability of the technology to meet operators’ requirements, both from a business model perspective and from a performance one. The strongest pull towards 802.16e WiMAX is that it is a technology with a well established evolution roadmap, with strong industry backing and a rapidly expanding ecosystem. The 802.16e WiMAX has a path toward the next WiMAX version, 802.16m, which 802.16d TDD WiMAX lacks. Operators with 802.16e WiMAX-based networks will be able to upgrade their infrastructure to 802.16m WiMAX when the equipment becomes available. Operators with 802.16d TDD WiMAX do not have this opportunity, unless they are ready to build an overlay network or entirely replace the old equipment with the new 802.16e one.

With the introduction of 802.16e WiMAX-based equipment for use in license-exempt bands, 802.16d TDD WiMAX is rapidly becoming a legacy technology, as it already is in licensed bands. Wireless operators that do not have a clear migration path to 802.16e WiMAX are concerned that their vendors might cease their development of new 802.16d TDD WiMAX-based products in favor of the newer standard. The availability, selection, and cost … Read the rest

Intel to Launch Centrino WiMAX 6250 Codenamed Kilmer Peak in Q1 2010

WiMAXian on November 10, 2009 | 2 comments

intel-wimax-logol In June Intel unveiled the new 3.5GHz WiMAX-enabled notebook at WiMAX Forum Global Congress in Amsterdam that became the world’s first public demonstration of future Intel 3.5GHz WiMAX solutions.

In July WiMAX Forum certified the new Intel WiMAX/WiFi module which named Intel Centrino Advanced-N+ WiMAX 6250 codenamed Kilmer Peak.

Computer World recently reported that “Kilmer Peak is in production and will launch with the Calpella Arrandale notebook platform solution in Q1 2010,” Intel spokesman Barry Sum wrote in an e-mail, adding that the chipset will support the three WiMAX profiles.”As for the availability of notebooks with Kilmer Peak built in, it’s more appropriate for you to check with the OEMs after the official launch in Q1,” he wrote.

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intel-wimax-wifi-link-6250-specification

Actually Intel showcased the Kilmer Peak at CEATEC JAPAN 2009. It improved the speed of maximum downstream 20Mbps and upstream up to 6Mbps.

The Kilmer Peak made improvement compare to its predecessor Intel WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5150.Both has a 2X2 MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) and 1×2 array ( one transmit, two pick-ups antenna).

This new wireless network adapter supporting IEEE 802.16e in the 2.5 GHz ,3.5GHz and 2.3GHz – BW: 5 & 10MHz for mobile WiMAX and 802.11a/b/g/n in the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz spectra for WiFi.

The Intel Centrino WiMAX 6250 comes with PCIe Minicard (MC), we don’t have any information whether Intel will provide Half-mini card (HMC) version or not.

Enjoy the behind the scenes video of the live video call over WiMAX using 3.5 GHz WiMAX-enabled notebook between Dennis Sverdlov (in Amsterdam,Netherlands) and Sean Maloney (in Taipei,Taiwan) and also Intel’s Gordon Graylish,VP of marketing for EMEA,talks about WiMAX.

WiMAXian is a blog about WiMAX technology,WiMAX News,WiMAX deployment,WiMAX devices and WiMAX providers around the world. Read the original article.

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GE WiMAX Smart Grid Solution to Reduce Carbon Emissions

WiMAXian on October 28, 2009

ge_wimax_smart_grid_solution_butterfly

As we have known that GE has developed a WiMAX smart meter and smart modem reference designs, for use in GE’s advanced meter and modem product family bundled with GridNet’s PolicyNet software. GridNet has been working closely with its technology partners GE Energy, Clearwire, Intel, and Motorola to develop secure, standards-based, and scalable WiMAX smart grid network solutions for utilities.

Recently SP AusNet,one of Australia’s largest publicly-held electricity and gas providers, will be the first in the world to implement GE WiMAX Smart Grid Solution. SP AusNet, will partner with 12 companies and utilize WiMAX technology to rollout 680,000 smart meters in Victoria.It will begins over the coming months and runs through 2013.

The 12 partners include Landis+Gyr, GE and Grid Net, UXC Limited, Electrix, Motorola, Unwired, eMeter, Logica, Accenture, Enterprise Business Services, and Geomatic Technologies.

GE will provide the meter communications technology for the SP AusNet network and half of the new meters. Landis+Gyr will provide the balance of the meters. Grid Net will contribute its Policy Net network management software which will oversee the meters, switches and other elements of SP AusNet’s Smart Grid.The software was developed to be compatible with the GE WiMAX meters and related equipment. Motorola will provide WiMAX infrastructure.

gridnet-policynet-software

“This is the first time WiMAX technology will be used in smart metering for an electrical utility company. The WiMAX technology supports high-speed data communications and hundreds of thousands of smart metering connections that are capable of covering large geographical areas, providing a solid foundation to build a reliable and cost-effective communications network for smart metering,” said Eric Starnes, vice president of sales and operations for Motorola’s Home & Networks Mobility business in Asia.

ge_wimax_smart_grid_solution_motorola_wap_650_wimax_base_station
Motorola will supply and deploy WiMAX WAP 650 base stations operating at 2.3GHz, Access Service Network (ASN) Gateway and new microwave systems to extend the wide area network (WAN) to new coverage areas. The system is based on a flat, all-IP architecture that enables high-speed machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. It will facilitate communication with SP AusNet’s smart meters embedded with WiMAX chipsets, collecting measurements and sending instructions in real time, supporting the analysis of usage patterns and power generation needs.

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The GE WiMAX Smart Meters is among the fundamental building blocks of smart grid deployments. They track and report energy usage by time of day, enabling utilities to charge less for electricity used during off-peak hours. As a result, consumers … Read the rest

The Increasing Opportunities for Unlicensed WiMAX

Robb Henshaw on October 26, 2009

wimax-spectrum

The debate over the merits of licensed vs. unlicensed WiMAX has been raging for years, but the fact of the matter always has been, and will remain, that both licensed and unlicensed WiMAX have considerable opportunities in today’s broadband landscape. Though vendors and different industry organizations will often try to persuade otherwise, the licensed and unlicensed WiMAX solutions are not at war, and they are often not even competing for the same types of applications.

Simply put, tier one service providers that are deploying mobile WiMAX have traditionally been committed to licensed WiMAX solutions, while tier 2-3 service providers and WISPs that are providing primarily fixed wireless broadband access have traditionally championed unlicensed WiMAX solutions. Now, that’s not to say that the use of licensed or unlicensed WiMAX is ALWAYS tied to either mobile or fixed service (respectively), but for the most part that is the case.

What’s interesting, however, is how much more attention is paid to licensed WiMAX as compared to unlicensed WiMAX in the media. If you look at the amount of attention that is paid to the two different deployment types – licensed/mobile and unlicensed/fixed – in the media, it would indicate that people are far more excited about licensed WiMAX than they are about unlicensed wireless.

Now that Clearwire has launched WiMAX service in 14 markets and people have actually been able to experience the service, enthusiasm for WiMAX has spiked yet again after waning in previous years. And while I do think that the market’s latest wave of enthusiasm for WiMAX is justified (since it is based on positive experience with deployed networks, instead of just the promise of these networks), there is a distinction that needs to be made when it comes to the future of WiMAX. That distinction is the difference in opportunities for licensed WiMAX as compared to unlicensed WiMAX and other point-to-multipoint wireless technologies.

To be clear – this is not an article about which is more important. Both have their own merits and are important for different market segments. However, considering the fact that a vast majority of the attention given to WiMAX is given to the licensed variants of WiMAX, it’s worth taking a look at the market opportunity for unlicensed wireless systems as well.

Really, What’s the Difference?

For many, the difference between licensed and unlicensed WiMAX technologies remains unclear. So before we dive into the … Read the rest

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