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MediaG3 enters the WiMax market

Eliza Nguyen on October 5, 2009 | 1 comment

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MediaG3 enters the WiMax market MediaG3, Inc. a Santa Ciara, California, based Internet service provider has announced today in a press release that they will be offering WiMax services under the umbrella of their Imperial Wireless(TM) 4G WiMax platform. The service will be launched in Boise, Idaho and will mobile internet service at true broadband speeds. The company plans to reach up to 70 markets consisting of over 10 million people by the end of 2011.

Currently Media G3, delivers mobile internet service to 20 US markets, targeting both commercial and residential consumers. “We have great expectations that our roll-out strategy will be met with substantial demand from the markets we are pursuing, said Joseph L. Anzalone, President & COO of MediaG3. “Current estimates show that the growth potential of the market for mobile Internet services is approximately $55 billion over the next few years.”… Read the rest

India auctions off licenses for 3 WiMax spectra

Eliza Nguyen on October 3, 2009 | 1 comment

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According to Network World, the Indian government plans to auction off three WiMax spectrum licenses in the country in December. 10 days before the WiMax auction, the government will be completing the issue of three 3G licenses. The bid for the 3G spectrum starts at $716 million per operator and at $360 million for the WiMax spectrum.

The licensing of 3G mobile-phone services and fixed wireless broadband (IEEE 802.16d WiMax standard) services will make India about $5.1 billion, India’s IT/ Telecommunications Minister, Andimuthu Raja said. “Since the number of slots are only four, the auction price will be more,” Raja stated and he has a good point. Given that the auctions are open to foreign companies, there will likely be intense competition to win the licenses among the local operators and foreign giants such as NTT DoCoMo, AT&T and Deutsche Telekom, skyrocketing the prices into the billions.

The Indian government already handed out 3G licenses to the state-owned service providers Bharat Sanchar Nigam and Mahanager Telephone Nigam, in early 2009. India is the second largest wireless market worldwide with 415.25 million current subscribers according to figures from c. Nevertheless, most of it comes from mobile voice and SMS function rather than from wireless Internet access.

The WiMax Forum predicts that India will comprise 20% of the WiMax market (or 19 million subscribers) in 2012. The Economic Times of India reported that a study by US market research firm Strategy Analytics believes India will become the largest WiMax user base in the Asia-Pacific by 2013, reaching 14 million by 2013 and growing annually at 130%. With these forecasts, the future looks bright for the four companies that will win the WiMax spectrum. Taking into consideration a population of one billion, it may be one of the greatest ROI currently offered in the global market.… Read the rest

Clearwire launches WiMax Service in Salem, Oregon

Eliza Nguyen on October 1, 2009 | 1 comment

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According to a press release, Clearwire publicized today that it has officially expanded its 4G network coverage to Salem, Oregon, enabling Clear account holders to access Internet anywhere within the WiMax coverage area at true broadband speeds. “CLEAR is excited to bring to Salem residents the super fast mobile Internet experience they’re used to having at home or the office, anywhere around town or on the go,” said Tim Ross, Regional General Manager of the Northwest region. “We’re providing a valuable new category of Internet service designed to make people’s lives more enjoyable and more productive, wherever they happen to be in our coverage area.”

WiMax is different from WiFi in that its range is no longer a few feet, but can carry over distances as long as 30 miles. Also compared to 3G, WiMax has Internet download speeds up to four times faster than those of 3G networks.

Clearwire will offers several plan options including $25 per month for home Internet service, $35 per month for mobile Internet access, or a combination package of home and mobile for $50 per month. Customers can also purchase a day pass for $10 or subscribe to the dual-mode 4G/3G plan that is available for $70 per month with a two-year service agreement. WiMax devices such as WiMax enabled laptops or USB modems can be obtained at Best Buy stores or at other authorized Clearwire retailers.… Read the rest

Dell’s New Latitude Z laptop charges wirelessly

Eliza Nguyen on September 30, 2009

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According to Computerworld.com, Dell Inc. introduced an ultra-thin laptop on Tuesday that is the first that lets users charge the laptop without a power cable. Starting at $1,999, the Latitude Z recharges when placed on a special notebook stand that creates an “inductive charging” field similar to cordless toothbrush or electric shaver chargers, said Steve Belt, vice-president of engineering at Dell. The coil and elevated notebook stand come together as a set at a cost of $199,. With an additional $199 for the docking station, the near-wireless Latitude Z system adds up to an additional $400 on top of the laptop’s $1,999 base price.

Conveniently, the Latitude Z needs to only be about 9 feet away from the docking station for it connect wirelessly to ports and devices, Belt explained. Beyond inductive charging, Dell’s really swinging for the fences with the Z’s feature set, including all (yes, all) of its top-drawer goodies in one machine. The right bezel of the 16-inch monitor showcases Dell’s EdgeTouch quick-access controls, and the trackpad is multitouch. The Z runs on an Intel Core 2 Duo processor starting at 1.4Ghz, and can fit one or two solid-state hard drives up to 256GB. Latitude Z users can also choose to connect to the web via integrated mobile broadband such as WiMax or 3G data networks. Finally, Belt added that the devices were “architected and conceived by Dell,” and would help Latitude Z owners maintain a “nice, clean desk.”… Read the rest

Airspan to Deploy WiMAX in Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba in Bolivia

admin on September 29, 2009

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Cooperativa de Teléfonos Automáticos Santa Cruz De La Sierra Limitada, or “COTAS,” a Bolivian telecommunications provider, has selected Airspan Networks’ advanced WiMAX solutions for a next-generation broadband network deployment across major cities in Bolivia.

Airspan Networks officials said that, operating on the 3.5 GHz spectrum, the network will deliver broadband data and other high-end IP applications to consumers using the company’s advanced WiMAX solution incorporating the WiMAX Forum Certified MicroMAX & HiperMAX platforms.

Kurt Klein, planning and engineering manager of COTAS, said that Airspan’s equipment is enabling the company to reach a broader range of customers and to provide them with improved connectivity and applications.

“We are especially happy to have equipment that can overcome some of the rugged terrain challenges we face in Bolivia,” Klein said. “HiperMAX is a robust and reliable solution that can reach both our urban as well as our rural customers.”

Officials said that the 4G network will cover the regions of Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba with HiperMAX base stations, while the MicroMAX base stations will be used for another five cities: Sucre, Tarija, Trinidad, Oruro and Potosí.

Bolivia has one of the lowest regional broadband penetration rates, only approximately 10.4% of the 9.6 million people, leaving a huge demand amongst consumers for high-speed connectivity.

“Airspan is proud to have been selected by COTAS for this project and to emerge as the vendor of choice from a pool of fierce competition,” Amit Ancikovsky, president of sales and products, Airspan, said. “We look forward to working with COTAS on this network and to our continued partnership as their network needs continue to grow.”

“We are hopeful that by bridging the digital divide, we can help improve the quality of life and the overall economic situation in Bolivia,” Klein said.

… Read the rest

WiMax Visionaries to Meet in Fort Lauderdale

Eliza Nguyen on September 29, 2009

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Acccording to a Wimax Forum Press Release, the WiMax Forum, a not-for-profit organization established to advance the compatibility and interoperability of WiMax devices, unveiled today that they plan to hold the second annual Congress Americas show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 2 – 3rd, 2009.

The WiMax Forum with their official Congress partner Clearwire plan to unite WiMax representatives from North and South America at the Congress, where a line-up of international speakers from over 30 WiMax service providers, 13 analysts, 5 governments and 3 consumer electronics companies will be presenting. Topics will cover WiMax business models and retail strategies, operational challenges, spectrum and standards (including 3.65 GHz and 700 MHz). Other topics discussed will include vertical market expansion opportunities for WiMax and the prospects for WiMax in the CALA region. The event will also devote Dec. 1st to focus on the $7.2 billion Broadband Stimulus Package signed by President Obama and speakers will explore how WiMax carriers can use NTIA BTOP funding to expand their WiMax networks into rural America in a sustainable fashion.

Moreover, local WiMax provider Sling Broadband will offer attendees a tour to their Florida headquarters where visitors can test live WiMax connectivity. Parallel to the conference will be a free two-day long expo featuring companies such as Samsung, Airspan, Clearwire, WiTech, Ciena who will demonstrate their latest product developments.

“With more than 500 commercial deployments in 154 countries, the WiMax market has developed into a mature and diverse ecosystem that is changing lives worldwide,” said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMax Forum. Registration can be completed at www.wimaxforumglobalevents.com/americas.… Read the rest

WiMax iPhone? Apple signs with South Korea’s KT

Eliza Nguyen on September 28, 2009

wimax-phone According to Reuters, South Korea’s KT Corp plans to introduce Apple’s iPhone supporting WiFi and WiMax technology in South Korea. KT’s chief strategy officer Pyo Hyun-myung told Reuters that it also plans to release WiFi and WiMax enabled 3G smartphones from Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, which will be available from late November.

A local media source, MaeKyung, reported on Sunday that KT and Apple have signed an iPhone offering contract; yet, details such as whether KT obtained exclusive iPhone distribution rights in Korea are unconfirmed. According to Telecoms Korea, Apple received approval from the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) radio research laboratory that will accelerate the long-awaited smartphone launch in Korea’s cellular market.

According to Telekoms Korea, iPhone’s LBS (location-based service) features, such as “Google Map,” and “Find my iPhone” violate local rules set by regulator KCC, media source Maekyung’s reports. A similar case arose in April, when Nokia released its navigation-enabled smartphone, the Nokia 6210s, without a navigation utility to avoid a legal dispute. However, KT decided to allow WiFi connectivity as it is fiercely wanted among prospective iPhone buyers.

Presently, the Korean mobile market is highly saturated, with 97 percent of the Korean population owning a mobile phone. “Consumers are generally happy with voice services, but they have lots of complaints regarding mobile data –those new handsets will become the mainstream,” Pyo said. He also revealed that once the government will finalize it subsidiary program to promote mobile technology, KT would expand its WiMAX network, presently limited to Seoul and adjacent areas, to the entire country.

Unfortunately, Korea’s cellular market is dominated by a near duopoly comprised of Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics. Controlling 80 percent of the cellular industry’s market share, the two giants sell their products in Korea at mobile phone ASPs (Average Sales Price) higher than in other countries. The introduction of Apple’s iPhone into the local market could mean an end to the duopoly and a warm welcome to competitive prices.

According to Comtex, IE Market Research Corp., the Canadian-based provider of market intelligence services, just published its 2Q09 South Korea Mobile Operator Forecast, announcing that the number of total subscriber in South Korea will increase from 45.6 million in 2008 to 52.6 million in 2013. SK Telecom will continue to be the largest operator in the country with 26.6 million subscribers in 2013, followed by KTF … Read the rest

Deutsche Telekom Said in Talks With Clearwire

Eliza Nguyen on September 23, 2009

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Deutsche Telekom AG is in talks to gain access to airwaves controlled by Clearwire Corp. and MetroPCS Communications Inc. as the German company seeks to expand U.S. networks, said two people familiar with the matter (Sept. 22, Bloomberg)

Europe’s biggest phone company is looking for the most cost-effective way to build nationwide networks using high-speed technology, according to one of the people, who declined to be identified because negotiations are preliminary. Sprint Nextel Corp., which owns 51 percent of Clearwire, is also involved in the talks with Bonn-based Deutsche Telekom, the people said.

Clearwire said in August it needed $2 billion by year-end to complete its own network expansion, and Deutsche Telekom could provide funding in exchange for access, one of the people said. MetroPCS and Clearwire each own airwaves suitable for fourth-generation networks, which can provide faster service for Web-equipped phones than their predecessors.

Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA unit, whose subscriber gains have slowed in five of the past six quarters, has yet to announce its own expansion plans. Larger rivals Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. are already upgrading their systems.

“This would be an answer that would be good news for everyone,” said Craig Moffett, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in New York, who doesn’t own shares in any of the companies. “It helps check the box for T-Mobile, which is desperately seeking a 4G answer.”

Stock Market Performance

Clearwire rose 18 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $8.97 at 4 p.m. New York time on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while MetroPCS was unchanged at $10.04 on the New York Stock Exchange. Deutsche Telekom rose 0.3 percent to 9.33 euros in Frankfurt. Sprint gained 4 cents to $4.29 in New York trading. The stock surged the most in five months last week after the Sunday Telegraph reported Deutsche Telekom was considering a bid for Sprint.

Deutsche Telekom is unlikely to make an offer for all of Sprint, according to one of the people.

“This deal would involve significantly less money, but still allow T-Mobile to offer 4G services,” Dave Novosel, an analyst at Gimme Credit, wrote in a report. “It would avoid the burdensome integration process and considerable up front costs of assimilating operations.”

Clearwire uses the WiMax standard, which is as much as four times faster than the average speeds on older networks. Clearwire says it believes it holds more airwaves than … Read the rest

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