Want a 4G tablet? If you want built-in 4G, you’ll have to go Android. (The iPad can get 4G only with a MiFi device.) There are about half a dozen 4G Android tablets in various sizes and price points available from the four major carriers.
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News articles are supposed to be informative, not confusing. So, why is it then that when we read something in the news we end up more perplexed than when we were initially? One possible answer is that a lot of news articles, particularly technological ones, are made with the assumption that the reader is up to date with what’s going on. They aren’t explaining something new as much as they are adding information to something they think readers already know; but there are others who are just trying grasp basic concepts before developing a deeper understanding of a topic at hand. This particular post has those people in mind. We can’t freely assume that everyone reading this site is up to date on all of the wireless industry jargon present in conversation of 4G WiMax. So we’re taking this opportunity to present a primer on WiMax lingo. If you’re already apprised of the ins-and-outs of the business and just need a refresher course, you might want to read through this brief guide:
4G refers to fourth generation wireless standards. For all intents and purposes, when it is mentioned it is typically regarding a standard of speed, which has a peak rate of 100 Mbps for mobile users and 1 Gbps for stationary users. That means for a company to have 4G speeds they need to have passed a test where their technology peaked at those speeds.
3G, which is third generation, is also a speed standard, but of a much lower caliber. Generally speaking, though, it’s really a term for phones that can provide speech and data services simultaneously. Short story: you can talk on the phone and receive e-mails without your phone having a conniption. Most smart phones are 3G.
2G, second generation, is what everyone else has. 2G cell phones send radio signals digitally.
1G is, technologically speaking, arcane. Back in the 1980s, these first generation wireless phones sent radio signals that were analog. If you see 1G mentioned in anything you’re reading, unless it’s discussing speeds historically, check out the date it was published.
3GPP which stands for 3rd Generation Partnership Project is NOT a speed or standard of any sort, but rather a group of telecommunications associations that assess and standardize technologies that are released.
IEEE stands for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which, similarly to 3GPP, standardizes technologies
At NYU-Poly and Rutgers University, the top researchers in the technological sector have now been granted the funds and proper means for further research in their field. With WiMAX technology, arguably the fastest Internet service in the country, these researchers can continue to push boundaries in the vast field that is broadband wireless technology.
The two schools began to delve into technology research last week in Brooklyn with a parking demonstration that streamed live into Washington, D.C., to a crowd of over 300 researchers as part of an initiative sponsored from the National Science Foundation to promote innovation.
On the day WiMAX was first introduced in NYC, the school sent out eight cars that were equipped with ultrasonic sensors that were able to pick up real-time data on a map. This data showed distinct parking spots that were either filled with red or green dots to differentiate between filled or empty spots, respectively.
“The WiMAX network will allow NYU-Poly to accelerate our contributions to cooperative networking and advance the leading research conducted at NYU-Poly’s Center for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications, one of the State of New York’s original Centers for Advanced Technology, as well as the Wireless Internet Center for Advanced Technology, funded by the NSF,” said Shivendra Panwar, director of both centers. “It will prove particularly helpful in helping us design and develop standards for cooperative networking, a technology that promises to greatly increase the reliability and speed of wireless communication.”
This parking demonstration showed officials just what university students would have the potential of researching and then actually experimenting if given the proper materials. The alleviation of traffic congestion would save the country billions of dollars annually. According to the press release that NYU Poly put out, traffic congestion costs the country $78 billion annually, not to mention the negative effects it has on air quality. The FCC granted NYU Poly licenses for two channels for the establishment of a public 4G network.… Read the rest
It’s a slower week in WiMAX after a slew of announcements at the beginning of April. A lot of companies are preparing for another slew of conferences and expos. WiMAX Forum Asia is scheduled to take place from April 12-14 in Taipei, Taiwan. Most of the major players, including Packet One, Samsung and Greenpacket will be there.
There have been many reactions as WiMAX build out continues in the U.S. Clearwire launched in Houston towards the end of March. Many metro dwellers wonder when they’ll be getting the 4G experience. Clearwire outlined that New York, San Francisco, Miami, Washington D.C. and Boston will all get Clear by the end of 2010. They also stated that they’re looking to cover 120 million people by the end of this year.
That’s a lofty goal but it should be attained. WiMAX roll out continues to be strong in other countries too. Betelecom started WiMAX services in Minsk. BSNL continues rolling out its WiMAX services, now offering services in the Punjab region of India. YTL enlisted Connectiva for software in their WiMAX roll out in Malaysia. Roll outs continue internationally, but they’ve slowed a bit in 2010. There just isn’t that much space to cover in other countries. Most operators are looking towards WiMAX and other 4G technologies as ways to provide extra space for data and voice on the spectrum.
BangaLion outlined their plans for users and expectations for the rest of 2010. The MIC is looking to contract a 4G network in Vietnam. It’s interesting expansion internationally to see how governments and operators manage the WiMAX expansion along with deploying next generation mobile broadband.
Many mobile users in the U.S. and other markets need more space for data because of the emergence of data consuming devices like the Amazon Kindle and the iPhone. Apple launched the iPad last week and sold 300,000 in the first three days of release. It comes with a data connection plan that puts an even tighter crunch on AT&T’s data network. In an effort to combat naysayers, AT&T also announced a plan to upgrade its current 3G networks by spending $1 billion on expanding and updating its current network.
Many people looking for a faster internet connection with their iPad will look to connect to a WiMAX network using one of the mobile hot spots from Sprint or Clear. Both offer a solid option for a … Read the rest
Many analysts and insiders are saying that with Sprint and Clearwire touting it as the future internet connection, WiMAX made great strides at CTIA Wireless in Las Vegas earlier this month. I do think that with the device market driving users to sign up for the 4G technology, WiMAX penetration will continue to grow.
Clear launched services in Houston on March 29. It’s a great market that means Texas becomes one of the most WiMAX-heavy states in the U.S. It’s the first launch of 2010 as well. Clear plans to cover 120 million people by the end of this year and Houston is a great start. Operator and commercial aren’t the only applications that use WiMAX in the U.S. – General Electric teamed with a Michigan utilities company to install smart meters in some homes as a pilot program to measure how accurate the readings are and to see how cost effective a system using WiMAX can be. Alvarion was given the Security Industry Association’s Best in Public Safety Solutions Award for its BreezeMAX product.
For WiMAX to succeed, the devices must match the speed of WiMAX deployment. Dell released the Inspiron Mini 10 netbook with a special offering from Clear. Franklin Wireless released its latest USB modem for Sprint. It’s a strong release deal to include the laptop along with the service and helps penetrate new laptop purchasers and first time computer buyers by offering Internet with their latest computing power. Expert panelist Cecil Taylor recently highlighted how WiMAX will influence the video realm.
International deployment continues to grow, as Zimbabwe is getting WiMAX next month. European telecom visionaries are meeting in the U.K. to discuss the future of technology, and in a marketing tactic, BSNL will offer a free trial service for WiMAX in India. It’s a smart move to showcase the technology for skeptical or reluctant users. Redline installed WiMAX solutions in Romania to start deployment in the eastern European country as well.
WiMAX deployment will be led by the U.S. this year. Taiwan and India will continue to grow as potential markets for WiMAX. Clearwire owns a lot of spectrum space and the F.C.C. doesn’t look like its going to auction spectrum space any time soon. Clearwire has also stated it could change over to LTE in a few years. Right now, the device market looks promising with the HTC EVO 4G and the mobile hot … Read the rest
Sprint and Clearwire made major announcements this past week, unveiling additional markets for 2010, including St. Louis, Cleveland and Cincinnati. Clearwire builds out the network while Sprint rents spectrum space on the network and offer services very similar to Clearwire.
Sprint has brand recognition, helping WiMAX become more main stream. It also has a device that could make that possible, the first 4G phone for use in the U.S. Clearwire also made news as T-Mobile leaked that they’re seeking possible partnerships to increase their spectrum presence.
In international deployment, Tranzeo got its equipment approved for use in Canada, expanding products for that burgeoning WiMAX market. St. Martin Island will soon get WiMAX after Motorola announced a deal with CaribServe. Alvarion helped connect cities in Brazil, providing equipment for its networks. Tatung Infocomm expanded its coverage in Taiwan with the help of NEC’s equipment. Saudi operator Mobily completed coverage of Riyadh. Deployments internationally continue to outpace U.S. because the wired infrastructure doesn’t exist in most of these countries.
The U.S. will eventually have WiMAX in most metro areas, covering 120 million by the end of 2010. It’s really not being deployed for those who need it. The NTIA Broadband Initiative granted more money to fibre optic build out instead of providing money for faster installation and less install fees. WiMAX needs to get to areas where the wired cannot go, like Indian reservations and other remote areas of the U.S.
Regional operators become the ones tasked with providing WiMAX to these areas, but the capital required to set up the networks isn’t being provided. The competition for Clearwire and Sprint would be minimal and competition would help reduce costs to the end users, but it would have to be on a different frequency on the spectrum but if it’s fast and more reasonably priced, maybe Clearwire or Sprint will change their pricing plans in the regional markets.
Top 5 Stories
1.Sprint Releases More Markets for 2010
2.Clearwire Unveils newest markets and products
3.Sprint to Unveil 1st WiMAX Phone at CTIA Wireless
4.T-Mobile Explores Possible Partnerships with Clearwire
5. Beceem Releases Latest WiMAX Chip
Tweet of the Week: emiglio: Hoping HTC announces the Supersonic on sprint this week. 4G, WiMax, Android 2.1 and Snapdragon would make for a pretty beastly handheld.
Stat of the Week: 120 million: Population Clearwire Hopes to Cover by the end … Read the rest
There have been many different changes as countries have to figure out ways to deal with spectrum space being taken up by the increase in data traffic. GoingWiMAX.com expert Robb Henshaw hinted at how WiMAX can help with the offload process for dealing with increased data traffic.
The F.C.C. submitted its proposal stating that broadband Internet must become the standard in communications. It’s a lofty goal because most people still rely on land line phones as basic form of communication. It also comes after the broadband stimulus funding announcements that grant money to operators that install broadband Internet across the United States.
Wired broadband will continue to dominate Internet access because the infrastructure is in place, making it easy for operators to install the service. WiMAX and other 4G technologies will be adapted by rural areas of the U.S. along with people looking for mobile broadband Internet. Many operators are already providing broadband services, including Towerstream, which acquired assets from Sparkplug.
In equipment build out, NEC’s base stations helped UQ Communications expand their offerings. Pinyon Technologies released its latest, a tri-band antenna for all WiMAX frequencies. GoingWiMAX.com was able to interview Eran Eshed of Altair Semiconductor about their latest chips for both WiMAX and LTE. PureWave also released a white paper about multiple antenna processing in WiMAX networks. Gemtek recently announced a study that states equipment shipments will double in 2010.
International deployments continued to outpace U.S.. Telkom and TRG will team to complete a WiMAX network in Indonesia. DragonWave was chosen to help with backhaul building for a Greece WiMAX network. Tatung, along with some other companies, want to construct an operator interoperability testing lab in Taiwan. It’s another sign that Taiwan in quickly becoming an industry leader in both products and services for WiMAX. MicroStar International stated that it will release its latest WiMAX-enabled netbooks in India in the coming months. Russian regulators announced another spectrum auction for 4G technologies.
WiMAX roll outs in the U.S. continue to lag behind other countries. Clearwire plans on rolling out more networks in the U.S., but when? Taiwan will continue to lead the WiMAX revolution. The F.C.C. proposal is a bold move that impacts most technology sectors.
Top 5 Stories of the Week:
2.Eran Eshad Sits Down with GoingWiMAX
5.… Read the rest
A recent study showed that in terms of fastest wireless broadband by continent, Europe is the worldwide leader. Top countries on the continent include Latvia, Romania, Lithuania, Aland, Andorra, Sweden, Bulgaria, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Hungary, Russia, and Ukraine. Both public initiative toward infrastructure and national government funding are the major reasons for Europe’s success in the wireless competition. In terms of numbers, Europe obtained wireless broadband speed of 7.73 Mbps, with North America, Australasia, and Asia as close runner-ups with broadband speeds of 6.95, 5.31, and 5.25 Mbps respectively. South America and Africa trailed with speeds of 2.25 and 1.39 Mbps.
After looking at continents with the quickest broadband speeds, it is crucial to look at specific countries, where they rank, and why. What accounts for the success (or failure) of certain countries working toward the fastest wireless broadband speeds worldwide? What role does government initiative and funding play? How does infrastructure affect a country? What is the focus of the economy of countries with the fastest wireless broadband?
Two major trends can be seen in the top four countries to be discussed in terms of highest download and upload speeds. With Korea, Japan, Aland and Latvia ranking highest in download and upload, we see both a shift toward major telecom and technology-oriented countries like Korea and Japan along with a great deal of success for small, autonomous, under-the-radar countries like Aland and Latvia.
Korea has been ranked as the country with the fastest worldwide download speed of 22.90 Mbps. But why Korea? Korea’s success is in large part due to work they have done in the past fifteen years to build high-speed broadband infrastructure and to a massive government initiative effort for WiMAX and broadband services.
Choi Si-joong, South Korea’s top telecom regulator, said during a keynote speech at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that, “We will offer offer our cutting-edge mobile Internet technologies to help developing countries establish mobile Internet networks.”
South Korea’s WiBro technology, a version of WiMAX, is currently available in commercial service in 35 countries internationally and growing. As they gain international popularity and use, WiBro will have to maintain top-quality, fast, and cutting-edge technology in order to remain at the forefront of the industry and this committment to expand is clearly going to be at the forefront of the agenda of Korean telecom regulators.
Japan, who ranked third for fastest download … Read the rest
