Weekly Digest

Faster iPad, Connect to a WiMAX Network

Michael Licata on April 7, 2010

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

WiMAX in Houston, Devices Offer Promising Future

Michael Licata on March 31, 2010

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

Clearwire, Sprint Plan on Covering 120 Million People by end of 2010

Michael Licata on March 24, 2010

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.

Strategies and Responses as WiMAX Continues to Expand

Michael Licata on March 17, 2010

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.

WiMAX Companies Preparing for Increase in Subscribers

Michael Licata on March 10, 2010

WiMAX operators are gearing up for an increase in data demands by teaming with backhaul solution providers to increase network capacity. Alvarion teamed with Saguna Networks to provide faster speeds and to account for an increase in data traffic. Mobily, a leading WiMAX provider in the Middle East, partnered with Bridgewater in preparation for more WiMAX subscribers.

WiMAX continues to be rolled out, as Vivid Wireless began services in Perth, Australia using equipment from Huawei. Nokia Siemens Network was contracted by Wi Tribe to help with its continued roll out in Pakistan as well.

In an interesting roll out method, Taipei City will soon have a fleet of WiMAX-enabled taxis, with the free service provided by VMAX Telecom. A big shocker came this week when Cisco announced it would leave the base station building market. Proxim released its finances for the 4Q and year end 2010 and Intel announced some of its study findings on WiMAX 2.0, including tentative deployment dates and upload/download speeds.

The downside of Cisco leaving means that a great deal of money won’t be spent on developing base stations. This being said, it is a good thing for companies like Pure Wave and other smaller operations who will now have the opportunity to expand.

CTIA Wireless International takes place from March 23-25 in Las Vegas. It’s another showcase experience where consumers meet and greet with insiders on the future of the wireless industry. Some key note speakers include Sprint CEO Dan Hesse, Clearwire head Bill Morrow, and Academy Award winning director James Cameron.

With Wi Tribe and Mobily contracting out work to accommodate the increase in subscribers, a good forecast for the future of WiMAX can be seen. Deployment internationally will continue to out pace Clearwire’s attempts to launch a complete network in the U.S. and it has actually been a rather quiet time for Clearwire since releasing their finances a few weeks ago. Maybe they’re waiting for a big announcement from Sprint, their majority stakeholder, before deciding on how to increase their visibility. Sprint has two rumored smart phones that are WiMAX-enabled, the HTC Supersonic and possibly one from Palm.

Devices will drive the demand for WiMAX and fast speeds should sell the service in major markets. Though India hasn’t made much WiMAX news in a few days, the country has the largest population of mobile subscribers in the world and will become … Read the rest

Bonuses Tied to WiMAX Success for Sprint

Michael Licata on March 5, 2010

WiMAX news took form in Sprint’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that ties short term bonuses for top executives to the success of WiMAX launches in the U.S. 10 percent of the bonus is tied to the sale of Clear, WiMAX services offered by Clearwire. Sprint owns controlling interest in Clearwire.

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse highlighted the advantages of 4G on the health care industry. GoingWIMAX.com interviewed some leading European scientists about the effects of WiMAX on the human body. Maravedis and 4GCounts released its latest study on the number of subscribers globally, along with the forecast for subscribers in 2010.

Internationall deployment continues as BSNL began mobile WiMAX services in India. Vee Telecom joined the WiMAX operators in Taiwan, and Globe Telecom decided to continue to invest in its WiMAX expansion projects in the Philippines. SUBMAR 2010 announced that du CEO will participate in the event.

Sprint also made news in the device market as a rumor began to circulate saying that Palm is building a WiMAX-enabled smart phone for Sprint. Newport Digital Technologies unveiled a LED display that’s WiMAX/WiFi/3G compatible. Users can stream high quality live television over WiMAX networks to display on screens as large as those used at most sports arenas.

Sprint continues to lead the way in WiMAX deployments. Scheduled for 2010, Houston, Boston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and New York are all going to get WiMAX services from Clear. The device market is where Sprint and Clear can separate from its competitors. If they’re able to make a phone that offers reasonable price plans, then it can make a march towards the mainstream.

Sprint and Clear Headline Week in WiMax

Michael Licata on February 26, 2010

WiMAX made strides this week. Clearwire released its 2009 and 4Q results while Sprint showcased its latest 4G marketing plans. It also outlined the markets where Sprint will launch WiMAX services in 2010. Sprint highlighted how its 4G service can help municipalities and health care companies.

Greenpacket highlighted its plans to market and grow in 2010. Huawei also made a splash by announcing its plans for the WiMAX equipment market in Asia. San Marino, a very small country in Europe, will become the first to be completely covered by WiMAX. Craig Wireless will cover much of the populous areas of western Canada with WiMax after launching it in Vancouver and Vigo, Spain launched a network for use in public spaces. 7NetLayers began services in Iraq.

Novatel ran its successful test of its WiMAX hotspot, similar to Sprint’s Overdrive. It will enable up to four or five WiFi devices to connect to 4G. Moblic unveiled its gaming device at MWC with a WiMAX connection and WiMAX expert Cecil Taylor is looking for a WiMAX phone that has 3G connection as well.

It’s an interesting time and 2010 is set to be the year that Clearwire launches in the top remaining markets, including San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C. and New York. Sprint will continue to lead the WiMAX revolution, but Clear will be along side in brand recognition after 2010. New West Marketing’s Laz Aguayo highlighted the benefits and expansion of 4G and WiMAX deployments in the U.S.

Companies are interested to see the success of Clearwire in the U.S. before Verizon ramps up LTE later this year. Devices are key to converting users to WiMAX. If there’s a phone or mobile hotspot that users can carry around in their pockets, then expect fast adoption by the main stream.

Unveilings in Barcelona

Michael Licata on February 19, 2010

Everyone in the wireless technology sector had their laptops fixed on the breaking news and latest offerings from the top companies that came out of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Runcom and IXI Mobile unveiled a dual-mode GSM/WiMax phone at the event.

Showcasing devices was a common theme in Barcelona, with Sequans releasing MimoMAX 2.0. Sequans also helped Sagemcom in building their latest devices and Beceem released its latest chip offering, which offers a bridge between WiMax and LTE.

Trinidad and Tobago will be getting WiMax soon, after its regulatory commission granted a license this week. In other deployment news, Alvarion and Iberbanda installed their 1000th base station in Spain. Taiwan continues to grow as a WiMax hotbed after FiTEL chose Motorola for its build out.

Many reports and awards were handed out. Maravedis reported that mobile WiMax users surpassed the number of fixed WiMax users during the last part of 2009. The WiMax Forum released its forecast of the future of WiMax usage. Sprint released its B2B findings, highlighting the potential for WiMax in 2010 as well. The Femto Forum released findings about how femtocells can help with deployments in WiMax and LTE.

MWC provided a glimpse into the future for WiMax and LTE. Both technologies can co-exist with all the wired infrastructure built in the U.S., though LTE will be more readily available because it works on existing 3G networks. WiMax is ideal in areas where the infrastructure isn’t already installed.

4G World Gearing up For Mobile World Congress

Michael Licata on February 12, 2010 | 2 comments

Everyone in the 4G industry hoping to see the latest WiMax and LTE offerings is gearing up for the Mobile World Congress. Alvarion will unveil its latest gadgets at the Barcelona event. It’s really the first event where LTE and WiMax will be showcased together instead of being pitted against each other. Another newsmaker was Sprint. They released their earnings report for the 4Q and year end 2009. They also hinted at building networks in Houston, Washington D.C., San Francisco and New York.

Deployment news slowed this past week. Mexico spectrum auction was delayed. Yota contracted Samsung to help with a complete build out in Russia. Isaac Organization and Excel announced their investment in China Tel, with an eye on launching WiMax in China. P1 outlined its expansion plans for continued growth in Malaysia.

Alvarion also set up an interoperability testing lab in Taiwan and Global Mobile purchased base stations to aid in its WiMax rollout in Taiwan.

In U.S. deployment, Newport continued its testing by providing service to a medical center. Portland may offer free WiFi to its community soon and Clear is rolling out WiMax potential by showcasing it inside a Ford Flex at the CAS.

Chips and product unveilings are coming in advance of MWC. Motorola unveiled its latest, a docking port that improves signal indoors. Sequans Communications teamed with CEVA to build out its processors and Sequans was in the news again for building the newest CPE along with Sumitomo. CEVA announced its partnerships with many different telecoms, creating a community of experts by pooling resources.

WiMax and LTE will co-exist next week at MWC in Barcelona. It will be interesting to see which technology comes out with the upper hand. And though LTE is still a few months away from launching, it is making a wave and turning the heads of experts.

Earnings Reports Highlight Week in WiMax

Michael Licata on February 5, 2010

With it being early in the new year, a lot of companies are releasing their finance reports from the last quarter of 2009, along with 2009 annual reports. Alvarion had an up and down week – after getting an endorsement from a firm, it reported a loss from last year. A report stated that Clearwire is going to change its business model, and Pakistani WiMax providers decided to offer shares to gain an influx of cash.

In an Infonetics Research study, Alvarion was listed as the top equipment provider for WiMax. There was also a report on the benefits and cost saving for power companies that launch 4G smart grids.

A report about the surprisingly fast evolution of WiMax 2.0 was released and another development involves the unused space in the spectrum that has the potential to become another 4G technology along with WiMax and LTE.

Internationally, the Dominican Republic is getting another WiMax option while the U.K. suffered a set back in WiMax/LTE with the delay of spectrum auction. A wireless broadband telecom provider will bring some form of 4G to Zimbabwe and BSNL launched a WiMax network in rural areas of India.

In the U.S. universities are leading the way by expanding their WiMax network. NMU covers most of the surrounding town with wireless broadband internet access and Nth Air has partnered with Tranzeo to help with the construction of WiMax networks in Florida, California and Texas.

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