Breaking News

on June 22, 2010  



Clearwire raised around $290.8 million in a stock sale. The company offered 93,903,300 shares of Class A common stock, valued at $7.33 per share. The end results show that 39.7 million shares of Class A common stock were purchased for the final price. There was potential to raise $361 with all the stock rights offered.

Clearwire has a great track record of raising money through stock offering and partnerships with wholesalers and tech companies. Google, Brighthouse, Comcast, Time Warner and Sprint all invested hundreds of millions of dollars last year. That was to help with the build out of more networks in 2010, including adding markets in Houston, Baltimore and other launches in 2010.

The company has said it will spend between $2.8 and $3.2 billion building out their network this year. CLEAR service is offered in 24 markets, with plans to launch markets in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles by the end of 2010. This funding should go a long way to finish the network build out this year. It might also help Clearwire switch 4G technologies, from WiMAX to LTE.

Clearwire lost money during the first quarter of 2010, but it added more subscribers during that period than all of 2009. Thing are looking up for the 4G carrier, getting an advantage of being first to market with 4G wireless broadband. They’ll soon have competition in the market. Verizon Wireless plans on launching LTE in 25-30 markets by the end of 2010.… Read the rest

on June 22, 2010   |   1 comment



Sprint released the Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U modem from Sierra Wireless. It delivers 4G speeds in the 51 WiMAX markets and 3G reliable speeds almost anywhere else in the U.S.

“Sprint continues to lead the 4G revolution and is proud to expand its growing portfolio of devices with the addition of 3G/4G USB 250U from Sierra Wireless,”  Fared Adib, vice president-Product Development for Sprint, said, “Consumers, businesses and industries such as construction, government, healthcare and transportation will be able to extend their Internet experience beyond the home and office and benefit from the constant connectivity and real-time access at lightning fast speeds.”

The USB modem is small and rotates 180 degrees, meaning it can fit any laptop, both vertical and horizontal USB ports. Users can stream live high quality video and download large files. The device is available now through business direct and business solutions partners. It will be released in every channel by mid-July. The device comes free after a $50 mail-in-rebate, a $49.99 instant savings and with a two year service agreement on a new line activation or eligible upgrade. The 4G cost per month is $59.99 per month for unlimited use on the 4G network, and 5GB of data on the Sprint 3G network.

The device works with Windows 7, Vista and XP along with Mac OS. It has a GPS tracking feature that provides location, navigation and mapping solutions while connected to the 3G network. The 250U has two external antenna pots with a separate LED display that shows the user whether it’s connected to the 3G or 4G network. It delivers fast speeds to business so they can streamline the internet portion of their business and pass the savings to the end user.

“Following on the success of Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, we are extremely pleased to offer Sprint customers a unique new 3G/4G device, combining the speed of 4G with the reliable coverage of Sprint’s 3G network,”  Mike O’Brien, vice president-Operator and Distributor Sales for Sierra Wireless, said,”The Sprint 3G/4G USB 250U mobile broadband modem from Sierra Wireless is made for road warriors, providing flexibility, high quality and top-notch performance.”

Sprint is the first national carrier to launch 4G technology. It covers 50 million people, including Atlanta, Maui, Chicago, Baltimore, Kansas City and Las Vegas. It plans on launching markets in San Francisco, Boston and New York City by the end of … Read the rest

on June 21, 2010  



Global Telecoms Business Innovations awarded three top industry awards to Huawei. The publication chose Huawei for its outstanding performance in “Transforming service enablement through software developer kit” project, TalkTalk’s “Dancing on Ice- cost-free contestant voting” campaign and Vodafone’s “Green wireless solution- affordable for all communities” campaign.

The judges highlighted Huawei’s strong innovation abilities across the different telecom sectors from wireless to wholesale and all tied together with strong collaborated projects with the world’s leading telecom operators.

“We are proud that TalkTalk’ s ‘Dancing on Ice’ cost-free constant voting project was well received by our customers and the industry,”  Clive Dorsman, managing director of TalkTalk Technology, said, “TalkTalk and Huawei spearheaded the initiative to provide customers with value for money by offering free votes based on over-load control software solutions. Huawei impressed us with its ability to be flexible, innovative and fast in its response to TalkTalk’ s needs. The quality of its solutions can stand up to any kind of scrutiny or comparison. “

Huawei helps operators define new revenue and growth points through new services by integrating their networks. Huawei is an important equipment vendor that has launched WiMAX networks across the globe. They also partner to provide integrated solution for operators in designing software that makes it cheaper for the end user.… Read the rest

on June 18, 2010   |   1 comment



D2 Technologies showcased its mCUE converged communications client for mobile devices on the HTC EVO 4G smartphone. mCUE software was installed in less than a week, illustrating how developers can develop software for Android-based devices faster. mCUE offers operators a solution for WiMAX-compatible Android OS mobile devices. It can help operators launch the video conferencing software.

“The first day of U.S. sales for the HTC EVO 4G resulted in the largest quantity of a single phone ever sold by Sprint, and shows the heavy consumer demand for Android-based WiMAX mobile devices,” Doug Makishima, chief operating officer at D2 Technologies, said, “By showcasing mCUE on the HTC EVO 4G, we can demonstrate to potential customers how it is faster, easier and more affordable for OEMs and service providers to introduce mobile VoIP over WiMAX and other next generation IP communications devices to market by partnering with D2.”

mCUE solution provides smart phone builders an opportunity to construct multi-mode mobile devices for enterprise, carrier and consumer use. This includes Wi-Fi-enabled smart phones, WiMAX-enabled phones and other connectivity devices. The software allows VoIP, IM chat and high quality video calls over WiMAX. It’s a complete voice solution, allowing multi-radio, multi-network seamless voice handover.… Read the rest

on June 17, 2010  



Novatel Wireless revolutionized the shared 3G experience with its MiFi devices. Now, Sony’s jumping on the features of the MiFi by introducing its latest laptops. The Vaio Y and Z series will be MiFi capable, sharing a 3G connection with up to five other devices over Wi-Fi.

“Share My Connection” feature will be available on June 20 to a few Y and Z notebooks. The 3G connection comes from Verizon, meaning users will have to sign up for some sort of data plan. The device is aimed at business travelers that work with other people and connect those other people to the internet. It’s also for family travelers that need to keep their kids entertained while taking long vacations.

The Z models weighs 3 pounds, showcasing in a carbon fiber and aluminum casing. The battery life is pretty impressive on the device, lasting for up to seven hours on a single charge. The screen on the Z model measures 13.1 inches, with a LED backlight and widescreen presentation. An optional blu-ray drive is available for the Z model.

The VAIO Y series comes in five available colors, with a 13.3 inch LED backlit screen. Battery life details weren’t released, but Sony stated that the unit uses less power. The Sony VAIO price point will start at $770 while the VAIO Z will start at $1950. Purchasers what want to enable the MiFi feature on the laptop must sign a contract with Verizon.… Read the rest

on June 17, 2010   |   1 comment



Clearwire has expanded its line-up of 4G devices. The lineup includes two new personal Wi-Fi/4G hot spots and a Mac dual-mode USB modem. The devices will be available with unlimited data plans. They also make it easier for end users to connect 4G to a myriad of devices, like iPads, Macbooks and PSPs.

The CLEAR Spot 4G and CLEAR Spot 4G+ present new designs, integrated modems and CLEAR unlimited data options. It enables the Wi-Fi ecosystem to access CLEAR 4G. The CLEAR Spot 4G connects up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the 4G network where available. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ is the re-branded Overdrive from Sierra Wireless. This device connects to a 3G network when the 4G connection isn’t available.

The dual-mode 4G+ USB modem expands 4G/3G service to Mac users. For the first time, Mac owners can access the fastest wireless connection available. It switches over to the nationwide 3G network from Sprint and it also works with Microsoft laptops.

“In today’s on-the-go world, everyone deserves fast speeds and the usage they want at a fair price – without constantly checking their usage or worrying about their end of month bill,” Dow Draper, vice president of product development for Clearwire, said “These new devices offer today’s mobile user, and the millions of Wi-Fi products in use across the country, even greater access to CLEAR’s fast and affordable 4G service.”

CLEAR offers 4G unlimited usage plans in network areas that don’t require long term contracts with average download speeds of 3 to 6MBps. CLEAR is also the only 4G operator that offers home modems, for about $30 per month users can enjoy 4G speeds in their home with unlimited plans starting at $40 per month for unlimited mobile use. There are also a few bundle packages for both home and mobile use, along with voice plans. CLEAR is available in over 55 markets.

The CLEAR Spot 4G will be availabe for $99.99 or a $4.99 per month lease. It will be available nationwide at CLEAR stores and resellers beginning in July. The 4G+ USB modem for Mac users is availabe for $114.99 or a monthly lease of $5.99. It’s available today and in stores in Atlanta, Dallas, Hawaii, and central Pennsylvania.

The 4G connection is the fastest way to connect to the internet. Mobile hot spots allow users to share the connection with many devices. The problem is … Read the rest

on June 16, 2010   |   2 comments



HelloSoft released its latest VoIP, IMS and IP convergence software for the HTC EVO 4G. HelloSoft designs and presents the best in embedded VoIP and IP convergence client market offerings. The technology also provides multimedia mobile device solutions to top operators and ODM/OEMs. The company will showcase its Android client at the 4G WiMAX Developer Symposium at Stanford Developer Conference in Palo Alto on June 15th. It will be the first demonstration of any IMS compliant VoIP solution on the H TC EVO 4G.

The software solution is available on many different Android phones, including the Droid, Hero, Android G1 and G2. The company provides VoIP and IMS clients for all operating systems across a swath of devices, including phones, networks, PCs and other multi-media devices. HelloSoft partners with different application chipset providers and 4G chipset providers to enable superior performance with full QoS, the lowest delay and the highest voice quality in the industry.

4G will enable a plethora of mobile VoIP clients; however, to achieve true carrier class deployment requires embedded solutions that minimize delay, meet strict voice quality criteria, provide a seamless user experience across networks and interoperate with IMS infrastructure,” Allan Johnson, HelloSoft’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, said, “HelloSoft provides this differentiated solution to carriers, ODM/OEMs, and chipset providers.”

The IP convergence suite provides comprehensive IMS functionality, including instant messaging, presence, grouplist management, and video chat together with seamless transition of VoIP calls between any IP bearer. Integrating into the HTC EVO 4G on Sprint’s 4G network means live high quality video while traveling inside the WiMAX network.

Information in this story was provided by tavessPR. Read the rest

on June 16, 2010   |   1 comment



Burco Electronics Systems and Aptilo Networks teamed up for the first WiMAX network in Malawi. Burco chose Aptilo’s WiMAX CSN System for their eWiMAX serivce. It will be the first mobile WiMAX based Internet service in Malawi.

The network uses the latest WiMAX Forum NWG standard. Burco can use a multi-vendor approach to build their network with the most cost effective components. The network uses radios from RuggedCom, ASN gateways from WiChorus and different wireless equipment from many different manufacturers. The low cost allows Burco to expand to the residential market.

“We decided from the start that going for a vendor-independent full WiMAX Forum NWG- compliant network design was the only way for us, in order to minimize risks and ensure a healthy competition among vendors,”  Dave Varndell, Managing Director, Burco, said,  “The natural choice of WiMAX AAA vendor was clearly Aptilo as they are delivering a more complete CSN solution which also works seamlessly with the majority of vendors.”

Aptilo’s policy control functionality allows Burco to utilize a different charging structure to control bandwidth between residential customers. It means end users can enjoy lower prices after peak hours. It also provides businesses with more bandwidth during the day. The software is integrated with ATM machines through voucher codes for the different bank systems. Consumers can re-fill their prepaid accounts through the ATM system.

“We are impressed to see how a local operator like Burco is one of the first in the world to deploy a truly vendor-independent network architecture according to the latest standards,” said Torbjorn Ward, CEO, Aptilo Networks. “Africa is a strong region for WiMAX in general and for us in particular as many operators appreciate our pre-integrated approach where the benefits of implementing a complete solution, rather than taking a piecemeal approach, are significant.”

WIND Telecom deployed Aptilo’s WiMAX CSN System in Santo Domingo and Santiago in the Dominican Republic. The Samsung-enabled network will use Aptilo’s WiMAX AAA+, policy control, prepaid and hotlining features to regulate usage and pay fees by the end users. WIND Telecom will integrate the software with a portal solution developed in-house.

“With the flexibility to integrate with literally any ASN vendor of choice, Aptilo Networks has helped us aggressively expand our WiMAX service,” said Manuel E. Bonilla, CEO, WIND Telecom.  “Also, Aptilo’s solutions help us stay one-step ahead by enabling us to leverage Wi-Fi as an additional revenue-generating business model.”

Read the rest

on June 16, 2010  



Once again, history in broadband wireless for PC communications was made in Kiev, Ukraine on the week of May 24th, 2010 with the official launching of Intel’s embedded Mobile WiMAX solution by Freshtel. Intel Corporation in conjunction with Freshtel partnered up to demonstrate several WiMAX-Ready PCs containing Intel’s silicon ingredients (Intel Core Ix Processor for Notebooks, Intel Atom N4xx Processor for Netbooks and Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 for Mobile Broadand). One week later, Intel showed off its latest processor technologies embedded inside a variety of standard/ultra-low – voltage notebooks, standard/sleek netbooks and standard/slate tablets (e.g. JooJoo Slate Tablet, Network Navigator NAV9, etc.) at Computex 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Using Intel’s processing power, a variety of dazzling applications were demonstrated: e.g. 3D video, augmented reality, Intel Wireless Display, Intel(R) My WiFi Technology, MeeGo, etc. at several booths which comprised the impressive Intel pavilion. Taking center stage inside the Intel Pavilion was one of the Intel Mobility booths – this particular one was dedicated to demonstrating live WiMAX using a slew of PCs available in the market (Lenovo Thinkpad T410 Notebook (Intel® Core™ i5 CPU M520 @ 2.40GHz w/NVIDIA NVS 3100M), Lenovo Thinkpad T510 Notebook (Intel Core i7 CPU M620 @ 2.67GHz w/ Graphics Media Accelerator HD), Lenovo Thinkpad X201S Notebook (VMAX- Certified), Acer Aspire 5745 Notebook, MSI U135 Netbook (Intel Atom  CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), ASUS EeePC 1001PG Netbook (VMAX – Certified, Intel Atom  CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 Netbook (Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), 2Go Classmate PC E10 Netbook (technology demo, Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), and Samsung NP-N210 Netbook (Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz)).

The WiMAX-Enabled Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 and Toshiba Satellite U505 can both be purchased @ Best Buy inside the US. All PCs contained the Intel 6250 WiMAX PCI Express Mini card – with one set of PCs (Lenovo, Samsung, MSI) connected to an in-pavilion Alvarion WiMAX Base Station @ 3.5GHz channel frequency, whereas the others (Dell, Acer, 2Go, ASUS) were connected to the extended VMAX network (in-pavilion Samsung WiMAX Base Station) @ 2.5GHz. The emphasis here was to show the global frequency support of Intel’s embedded WiMAX solution. A large high definition display showed off some killer applications requiring WiMAX‘s broadband pipe: e.g. Livecasting from Taipei’s VMAX network, Livecasting from Portland’s CLEAR network (Tri-Met trains) and Microsoft IIS Smooth Streaming of Big Buck … Read the rest

on June 16, 2010  



Greenpacket, a leading developer of next generation mobile broadband and networking solutions, sees a symbiotic relationship between LTE and WiMAX 4G technologies in the near future. LTE and WiMAX 4G technologies both promise fast mobile broadband user experience and are relatively equal in terms of performance. WiMAX has a head start over LTE in terms of deployments and technological maturity. However, major operators like AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone have announced that they are taking the LTE route, despite the technology’s infancy.

“There is no either or as the market is big enough for LTE and WiMAX to co-exist. What consumers want is a fantastic mobile broadband service so let us focus in on that reality. Both 4G wireless broadband technologies will be the future of how consumers get online,” said Kelvin Lee, Senior General Manager of Greenpacket.

Lee emphasized that consumers today subscribe to the services that operators promise them and not the technology that delivers the services.  “Operators need to deliver to consumers’ motivation, and they’re always after the experience,” added Lee.

Using 3G as an example, Lee said that the technology has been around for some time but its adoption really took off after the emergence of connected devices such as the Apple iPhone and Research In Motion’s Blackberry.  Lee explained, “Consumers like the idea of mobile broadband, but they needed a really good experience to go with it. Watching videos, for example, was confined to the home because it’s just a better experience. But once you give them a bigger screen, do away with complicated user interfaces and throw in touch controls, surfing on the go exploded into the mainstream.”

The emergence of all-you-can-eat data plans was also a motivator but that has driven a hole into operator’s pockets as they struggle to provide enough bandwidth to fuel the demand. Rolling out network infrastructure can go into billions of dollars.

Lee said, “Operators need to find an ideal solution that makes business sense and it does not have to be LTE or WiMAX, but could be LTE and WIMAX. That ideal solution will serve to supply a great mobile broadband experience to the consumer who demands it. He cited an example that operators with congested networks due to mobile data traffic can actually data offload to a WiFi network as a solution. He stressed that technologies can co-exist with one another as long as they serve its … Read the rest