January 2010

NMU Expanding WiMax to Include Negaunee

Michael Licata on January 29, 2010 | 1 comment

Northern Michigan University will expand its WiMax network to cover Negaunee, MI. The university and the Negaunee City Council came to an agreement recently that will allow 300 NMU students and staff living in the vicinity to use laptops anywhere in the area without any additional costs.

The city is drawing up a final contract and the target date for the system to be up and running is the end of February. A base station will be placed in a central location of the city, on top of the Negaunee water tower.

NMU will also set up a WiMax tower near their golf course in Cocolay. The costs of construction for the tower will be offset by rental space that the University offers to different cell carriers and other bandwidth relay needs. It will be completed by the end of April.

Photo Courtesy of Christopher P. Bills via Flickr… Read the rest

Broadlands Brings 4G to Zimbabwe

Michael Licata on January 29, 2010 | 3 comments

Broadlands Networks plans to launch a commercial 4G network in Zimbabwe in the near future. They hope to offer voice and data services in three Zimbabwean cities, Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru with its own last-mile infrastructure. The company wants to complete 4G coverage of the entire country by June 2010.

The information being released by Broadlands hasn’t yet identified which next generation technology will be used, but it will most likely be WiMax and not LTE. To support the launch, the company has installed a fiber optic connection in Harare’s high density areas to support the 4G service.

Broadlands contracted Alcatel Shanghai Bell to help with build out. It owns the spectrum space necessary to launch a WiMax network and belongs to the Zimbabwe Internet Access Providers Association. The company was formed in South Africa and has influence in several other African countries.

Photo Courtesy of Only_Point_Five via Flickr… Read the rest

Which Way to Roll Out WiMax in U.S.?

Michael Licata on January 29, 2010

There have recently been some interesting developments on the U.S. deployment front. Many regional telecommunications companies are purchasing equipment necessary to launch WiMax networks, a departure from Clearwire‘s tactic of providing WiMax to everyone in the U.S. by deploying it in major markets. This appears to be a good way to create competition between different telecom companies and to provide the most reasonable price for consumers.

There has been a big push for grants and aide for WiMax service to non-profits and other public organizations. Many forecasters and analysts are predicting that WiMax will be integral in public services and other activities. There was also a release of the latest study on chipset futures this past week and investors endorsed more WiMax makers.

Deployment has been continuing and expanding all over the globe. Yota gained licenses for WiMax roll out in Peru while Taichung City got another WiMax provider, making it one of the more competitive markets for the technology. The number two operator in the Philippines unveiled its latest launch to gain ground on WiMax and 3G roll out, and Iran will get a WiMax network soon. Financiers are looking for a consultant to study the feasibility of WiMax in Eastern Europe as well.

WiMax will continue to develop in the U.S., however other countries are still leading in rolling out networks. LTE is another challenge for WiMax because it is no longer a rumor but a reality, with tests currently being conducted in multiple locations.

4G Road Runner Network Launched in Maui By Time Warner

Elizabeth Dickey on January 28, 2010

Time Warner Cable just launched its new super fast 4G Road Runner Mobile network in Maui.

Time Warner is going to ramp up its investment in proto-4G mobile WiMax network deployments this year, noting huge opportunities for the rollout of new products like Road Runner Mobile.

The service is the first in a line of mobile broadband services that the company plans to deploy this year and will be available in most areas of O’ahi and Maui by February 2010. Like Road Runner High Speed Online, Road Runner Mobile includes full security suite, email, data storage, Photoshop and portal and offers quick, on-the-go Web access for $34.95 per month for Time Warner Cable Triple Play customers.

Users of Time Warner Cable 4G Mobile Network can expect speeds up to 6 Mbps on the fastest mobile broadband network available. Road Runner Mobile will offer customers a high-speed, media-rich broadband experience in the home or office and will bring customers the added convenience of a single bill for video, home phone, data, and mobile data services with instant access to Internet and quick downloads on the road.

“This will develop in exciting ways that we really can’t quite imagine today. I think there’s going to be a whole array of products using these types of networks in the future,” TWC CEO Glenn Britt said on today’s fourth-quarter earnings call. “This is the early beginning – I don’t think any of us can fully imagine what the products are going to be, but it’s an exciting opportunity.”

Photo courtesy of David Winnie via Flickr

… Read the rest

EBRD Looking for Consult to Conduct Wireless Study

Michael Licata on January 28, 2010 | 1 comment

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development mandated that a consult must come up with a market study on telecoms coverage for remote and rural areas of Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia. The deadline for submissions is February 8.

The study will research the most effective way to provide mobile phone technology and WiMax to areas where land lines cannot be placed. Communities will have access to health, education, government services and e-commerce or trading platforms. The cost of WiMax includes transporting the power supply to base stations that will be located in rural remote areas.

The consultant must understand the technology, restrictions due to the area’s climate, and operation limitations of deploying better 3G communications. A desktop research and in-country evaluation of the suitability of the operators must be completed to retrofit their existing network of base stations. A transitional impact study must also be completed to forecast the influence of remote regions.… Read the rest

WiMax Coming Soon to Iran

Michael Licata on January 28, 2010 | 2 comments

Irancell began rolling out WiMax in seven cities throughout Iran during the Daheye Fajr, the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. WiMax will be availalbe in Esfaha, Ahvaz, Tabriz, Tehran, Shiraz and Mashhad.

Users with PCs or CPE equipment will have access to 64 Kb/s to 2Mb/s wireless bandwidth using WiMax. Because WiMax is reasonably priced in terms of maintenance and CPEs and has high network security, integration and no need for a cable or hard line, it is an ideal choice for Irancell. The company is offering discounts for WiMax between January 21 and February 11.

There will be different subscriber prices determined by monthly use, along with the option of an unlimited plan. Users can pre-pay or pay after each month based on their use. Irancell will offer two kinds of CPEs, both indoor and outdoor. Indoor units are smaller and easier to install while outdoor CPEs are recommended for locations where buildings are condensed or have complex structure because of their high capacity for signal reception.

Photo Courtesy of Arash R. Karimi via Flickr… Read the rest

Interview With Berkeley Varitronics Systems CEO Scott Schober

Elizabeth Dickey on January 27, 2010 | 1 comment

GoingWiMax.com was granted an interview with Berkeley Varitronics Systems CEO of 10 years, Scott Schober. BVS has provided design and consulting services for the wireless telecommunications industry for over 37 years. Most recently, BVS has introduced a line of WiMax and LTE testing tools and analysis software to meet the demand for network build out and optimization. In this interview, Mr. Schober offers his valuable knowledge and insight on a variety of current trends and topics in the wireless world today.

1) In light of WiMax trends in the past 3 years, in what way has your company been influenced and affected?

Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS) has seen significant WiMAX growth over the past three years greatly because of our diverse capability and smaller size. The initial business we appreciated was greenfield testing with our stimulus transmitter “Gator” and the “Coyote”, a modular receiver system. This combination allowed carriers such as Sprint and their respective partners to drive a particular area and plot out what type of coverage and signal propagation they would achieve in the 2.5 GHz 4G band planned for future deployment. This was done in all the major markets throughout the US with this system of test equipment. After the initial studies in 2007/2008 the carriers immediately could begin buildout of the actual network. BVS also provides the growing industry with the YellowFin 802.16e mobile WiMAX analyzer. The YellowFin allows 4G buildout to accurately reflect how WiMAX signals will propagate in real world conditions as opposed to using the traditional 3G propagation equipment and models of the past. Advanced measurements such as (Carrier to Interference Noise Ratio) CINR is measured along with Multipath information that could be problematic to the desired thru-put the carriers are looking to achieve. The fact that our portable test solution is used for in-building and out-door drive studies, coupled with our intuitive (Graphic Users Interface) GUI allows RF engineers around the globe to build out their 4G WiMAX networks rapidly with solid coverage.

2) To what degree do you think the introduction and increasing momentum of LTE will effect WiMax technology?

There are clear opportunities for BVS to grow as both WiMAX and LTE are embraced on a global scale. I continually hear of speculation as to whether WiMAX will survive and be replaced by LTE, but I believe the two competing standards will more likely migrate into an accepted standard that will provide high speed internet access to a wide platform of mobile devices used through … Read the rest

NPDT Providing WiMax To OCDE

Michael Licata on January 27, 2010

Newport Digital Technologies will team with Orange County Department of Education to create a WiMax network as part of a State and Federal Grant program that provides wireless internet to schools and public areas that are currently unable to obtain access.

NPDT launched a WiMax demonstration system in this area by connecting NPDT’s Corporate Offices in Newport Beach, CA to OCDE’s Learning Resource Center in Costa Mesa, CA. The connection will demonstrate WiMax’s range and broadband speeds of 15-40 Mbps.

“We are excited to have commenced the installation of NPDT’s WiMax broadband wireless demonstration system and to participate in the $500M State and Federal grant programs that will greatly enhance Internet connectivity to remote and economically challenged areas of the U.S. at a very low cost,” NPDT CEO Michael Lutton said, “This technology will expand Internet access to those who are not able to obtain high speed wireless Internet access currently. We are thrilled to be a part of this ‘last mile’ connectivity initiative, benefiting society at many different levels.”

The NPDT worked with Taiwan-based technology developers such as the Institute for Information Industry and the Industrial Technology Research Institute to launch this WiMax demonstration system in the OC.

The network is continuing to develop and grow in order provide WiMax for public services and other public utilities companies including smart grids and other applications.

Photo courtesy of Michele Ficara via Flickr… Read the rest

In-Stat Forecasts WiMax Chipset Future

Michael Licata on January 27, 2010

In-Stat released the latest study on the future of the WiMax chipset market, stating that nearly half of the unit market basis will be the chipset market by the year 2013. The equipment sector of the WiMax chipsets include laptops, modems, base stations and possibly a WiMax-enabled smart phone.

“WiMAX is not a mere niche technology to fill a void until LTE is up and running, but a complementary solution for providing last mile wireless broadband access and a true mobile Internet solution,” says Jim McGregor, In-Stat analyst. “WiMAX chipset technology has already moved beyond multiple chips to single chip solutions that integrate the baseband processor chip with the RF radio. A small group of semiconductor manufacturers have already emerged as leaders in this growing segment”.

The report stated that it expects revenue to reach $352 million for the chipset market by 2013. It also reported that Beceem, GCT, Intel and Sequans have emerged as chip makers that will continue to lead the WiMax chipset market.… Read the rest

CERNET Now Available In China

Elizabeth Dickey on January 26, 2010

MoqiZone Holdings Corporation announced today that the MoqiZone servers online game platform is currently available on the CERNET (China Education and Research Network) to all college students who use CERNET.

CERNET was established in 2000 and offers exclusive high-speed internet access for over 1,800 colleges and universities in China, encompassing a market of at least 23 million students.

“We are pleased to now provide the over 23 million students in the CERNET systems access to our B2C portal, ‘www.53mq.com’, in addition to the online game services MoqiZone provides to internet cafe users in Chengdu, Sichuan,” stated Lawrence Cheung, Chairmain and CEO of MoqiZone Holding Corporation.

MoqiZone focuses mainly on intensive online game users of the online entertainment business, including both internet cafe users and college students. In order to access such a large population of game players in China, MoqiZone uses WiMax networks to cover internet cafes and also hosts CERNET dedicated servers to reach thousands of college students throughout the country.… Read the rest

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