Russia

Russia Awards More Spectrum Space for 4G

Michael Licata on March 15, 2010 | 1 comment

Reuters announced Rostelecom won 4G network licenses that cover a third of the population of Russia. The license is for the 30MHz of spectrum space in the 2.3GHz-2.4GHz band for each region.

The operator has 18 months to build and launch 4G networks using Russian equipment in each area. Networks will be launched in Tomsk and Chechnya. Svyazinvest, which is the state owned parent company of Rostelecom, wants to transform itself by combining its local telecom companies into one single network across Russia. The 4G auction makes the company the fourth largest mobile operator in Russia.

Yota has established itself as a leader in Russia in offering WiMAX services, a 4G technology that’s more readily available than LTE. LTE is still in the testing stages, but it’s a technology that Rostelcom can use when offering commercial services in Russia. Yota plans on a complete WiMAX network for Russia.

Photo Courtesy of akk_rus via Flickr… Read the rest

2010 – The Year of WiMax

Elizabeth Dickey on January 12, 2010 | 2 comments

With endless availability of information and a heightened degree of uncertainty in terms of where the economy is headed, looking forward at the next twelve months and attempting to predict in what direction WiMax is going is a daunting task. This being said, it is also an interesting and exciting opportunity to examine the positive ways in which WiMax will benefit the wireless world in 2010 and the ways in which the wireless world will respond to WiMax expansion.

Globally, a future increase in WiMax deployment can be expected. According to Infonetics Research, the number of global WiMax subscribers is expected to grow from 4 million at present to 130 million subscribers by 2013. Nearly every developing country currently has a WiMax network and this demand for wireless Internet access will only exponentially increase in the future. WiMax’s appeal lies in its ability to offer computer or terminals with enhanced mobility and access to high speed Internet without the need to connect the terminal to any cable network or Wi-Fi hotspot. There are already well over 475 WiMax networks deployed to date in 140 countries worldwide and though exact numbers are debatable, there is no doubt that substantial growth and network expansion is taking off at a very fast pace.

In addition to an increase in the number of networks traced by WiMax, many of the already established WiMax networks continue to rapidly expand. Two prime examples of such expansion include Yota and P1. Yota reached 250,000 active commercial users on its Russian network and passed the breakeven point with more than 2,300 subscribers added per day to its WiMax network. In April 2009, 65 product models from six vendors with WiMax embedded chipsets were introduced to the Russian market and in 2010, Yota expects to add a new GSM + Mobile WiMax phone supporting VoIP over WiMax. Malaysia’s Packet One Networks (P1) is chugging along as well, recently reaching 130,000 subscribers and looking ahead to the New Year with hopes of increased growth.

WiMax deployment and expansion can be expected in Africa as well. Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, is set to become Africa’s first hotspot. The Wireless service will be commercially available in three months and will be based on WiBro, Korea’s own version of WiMax. Korean Fixed-Mobile carrier Korea Telecom is also working on a $40 million project called the Kigali Metropolitan Network (KMN), which … Read the rest

Joining Forces

Estie Neff on November 12, 2009

text-partnership VocalTec and Runcom Join Forces for Integrated WiMAX VoIP Solution – Nov 12, 2009 (TMCnet)
VocalTec Communications Ltd., a provider of carrier-class multimedia and voice-over-IP solutions, and the end-2-end WiMAX system solutions provider Runcom Technologies, have integrated their WiMAX VoIP solution at an upcoming conference. Both the companies would be joining forces for the provisioning of this joint offering, which will help service providers to benefit from enhanced voice services in the emerging telecom markets.

SP AusNet Leases Austar ‘WiMAX’ Spectrum for Smart Metering – Nov 12, 2009 (iTWire)
Austar is to lease a portion of its 2.3GHz spectrum licences in regional Victoria to SP AusNet, which will build a mobile WiMAX network to provide communications with smart electricity meters it plans to rollout to 680,000 consumers in the next three years.

Clearwire: 555,000 Subscribers – Nov 12, 2009 (DSLReports.com)
According to Clearwire’s latest quarterly earnings, the company now serves about 555,000 subscribers. About 173,000 of those are using Clearwire’s new Clear Mobile WiMax service. The remainder are still using the old Clearwire fixed service, for which our user reviews have always been rather lackluster.

Sony India Ready to Launch WiMax-enabled Laptops – Nov 11, 2009 (Business Standard)
Electronics major Sony India is ready with WiMAX-enabled offerings for the domestic market, but will wait for the Union government to complete the wireless broadband spectrum allocation process before launching the products.

Global WiMax Users Expected To Grow 87% Annually Between 2010 and 2012 – Nov 11, 2009 (Wimax News)
According to Companies and Markets’ report “Global WiMax Market Analysis”, WiMax has tremendous potential to offer global standardized broadband wireless platform. Many countries across the globe will adopt WiMax to facilitate rapid economic development.

Motorola Exec Sees Room for WiMax and LTE to Thrive – Nov 11, 2009 (Computerworld)
Motorola is working aggressively to sell equipment to provision both WiMax and LTE wireless technologies when carriers commit to one or the other, said Bruce Brda, general manager of wireless networks for the equipment maker. Despite debate over whether WiMax or LTE technology would win out as the basis for faster 4G wireless networks, Motorola Inc. is now convinced that both protocols will flourish.

Samsung: WiMax Could Be as Big as CDMA – Nov 11, 2009 (TelephonyOnline)
Just as the smaller CDMA ecosystems rewarded the vendors that stuck with the technology, Samsung is counting on its early lead in WiMax to pay dividends.… Read the rest

CEO Dennis Sverdlov Talks about Yota WiMax in Russia

admin on November 9, 2009

… Read the rest

WiMAX in the Big City: Philadelphia

Estie Neff on October 8, 2009 | 1 comment

Philadelphia PA Map Sept 2007 Clear WiMax Soft Launch in Philadelphia – Oct 5, 2009 (Wimax News)
Clearwire recently updated its coverage maps to reveal that Philadelphia now gets Clear Wimax and becomes the first big metro area to get Clearwire’s WiMAX services.  It’s a soft launch, following previous launches in Portland, Atlanta and Las Vegas earlier this year, ahead of an official launch later this month.

WiMax Helps Increase Ceragon’s Share Prices – Oct 8, 2009 (Wimax News)
Just hours after it was reported that Ceragon would be entering the WiMax industry, their shares rose 82 cents to $9.07 in midday trading.

Towerstream Expands Wireless Broadband Network – Oct 08, 2009 (TradingMarkets.com)

Towerstream, a provider of fixed WiMAX services, has extended its New York City wireless broadband network through the addition of a new point of presence located at 41 Madison Avenue, the New York Merchandise Mart.

Ericsson Pushes Mobile Broadband – Oct 7, 2009 (ITWeb)
The company reveals its focus on broadband applications in Africa and the evolution of wireless technology.

Yota and Samsung Test Wimax Release 2.0 – Oct 7, 2009 (Wimax News)
With the pending release of WiMax 2.0 comes a dual-mode GSM-WiMax phone, as reported by Peter Sayer of PC World.

Disney Closes Russian WiMAX Deal – October 7, 2009 (Broadband TV News)

Disney-ABC-ESPN Television’s first agreement for a WiMAX platform is included in a slate of new media deals announced at Mipcom in Cannes that also include VOD, IPTV, mobile and gaming platforms.
The distributor’s first ever WiMAX deal is with More in Russia for a transactional VOD agreement that gives customers of the local Yota network access to current and library content over the PC and mobile.

Clearwire Selects Alvarion and ZTE as Equipment Partners for Spanish Deployment – Oct 6, 2009 (Wimax News)
Clearwire has picked Alvarion and ZTE as network infrastructure suppliers for Clearwire’s planned launch of WiMax services in Spain in 2010, reports Nicola Leske of Reuters.

New Publication Offers Security Tips For WiMAX Networks – Oct 6, 2009 (ScienceDaily)

Government agencies and other organizations planning to use WiMAX networks can get technical advice on improving the security of their systems from a draft computer security guide prepared by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

India’s 3G Auction Delayed Again, Minister Says – Oct 6, 2009 (PC World)
India’s auction of 3G and WiMax licenses is likely to be delayed again until next … Read the rest

Clearwire Partners with Yota and UQ Communications

admin on September 15, 2009

roaming Clearwire Communications, LLC, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japan’s UQ Communications and Russia’s Yota. This MOU allows the WiMax companies to ensure their systems and devices are able to withstand global roaming capabilities.

“We are committed to making telecom services easy to use for our clients, and this MOU was signed with their interests in mind,” said Dennis Sverdlov, Yota CEO.

These WiMax service providers will work with Clearwire’s Global Alliance Partner Program to ensure provision of seamless international roaming.

“With over 500 WiMAX deployments underway in about 145 countries, the existence of a roaming framework – helping to connect operators as well as WiMAX customers – is vital to advanced cross-market cooperation,” said Barry West, president of Clearwire International.

The service providers will utilize WiMax Forum guidelines to meet their business objectives. According to Takeshi Tanaka, president of UQ Communications, “As a global standard, international roaming is a natural service evolution, and we, as WiMAX operators, have to work closely together to make roaming services available as quickly as possible.”

… Read the rest

Peru: BWDC-Metsanco Wins WiMax License

goingwimax on August 7, 2009

Russian consortium BWDC-Metsanco has been granted a WiMax license from Peru’s Agency for Promotion of Private Investment (ProInversion). They won the license after being the only bidder with an offer just one dollar over the $3.9 million minimum.

In their first year BWDC-Metsanco will deploy 9,000 internet connections in 12 regions of Peru. They will then increase that number to 60,000 during the first 5 years while expanding the service nationwide.

BWDC-Metsanco’s license will last for 20 years and can be renewed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

BWDC-Metsanco are members of the Startel Group that provides wireless internet in Russia under the Yota brand.… Read the rest

Weekly WiMAX Report #7

Ari Zoldan on June 30, 2009

Exclusive: Marc Brachman on CLEAR Atlanta – June 26, 2009 (Wimax News) : We can’t get enough of Clearwire in Atlanta. We want to know how it works, who’s liking it, and who’s not. So we interviewed Marc Brachman of JLM Partners–Clearwire’s PR agency–who serves as the firm’s General Manager for Georgia. Brachman talks to us about the prospects, price, and popularity of CLEAR Atlanta.

Comcast Now Offers 4G in Portland – June 30, 2009 (Wimax News) : Comcast now offers 3G and 4G wireless Internet services in Portland, Oregon, in addition to its wired Internet services. The company announced yesterday that it will offer the new high-speed Internet service under the name of Comcast High-Speed 2go. Comcast will use Clearwire’s WiMAX network to deploy its 4G services and Sprint to deploy its 3G services.

Japan to Offer WiMAX Laptops Next Month – June 29, 2009 (Wimax News) : Major Japanese computer makers will launch WiMAX-enabled laptops this coming July, according to an article in the Mainichi Daily News. UQ Communications, which offers commercial WiMAX services in Japan, will provide the WiMAX service.

Clearwire Snatches Up Licenses from Oneida – June 26, 2009 (Wimax News) : Clearwire recently bought up 2.5 GHz spectrum assets from Oneida Communications Group in several areas in the U.S. for an undisclosed amount. The areas where Clearwire acquired the licenses include Lynchburg, VA, Parkersberg, W. VA, Salisbury, MD, and Santa Barbara, CA.

Redline Receives Funding for WiMAX Product Development – June 24, 2009 (Wimax News) : Redline Communications Group Inc., a provider of WiMAX and wireless broadband solutions, announced today that it has signed an $10 million agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development.

Mixed Feelings for WiMAX – June 24, 2009 (Wimax News) : According to a Telecomasia report, Intel will not back away from WiMAX technology, even as analysts predict that LTE will dominate the 4G landscape.

Samsung Expects to Increase Network-Equipment Revenue on WiMax - June 24, 2009 (Bloomberg) : Samsung Electronics Co., the world’s second-largest mobile-phone maker, said it expects to increase network-equipment sales as more operators begin deploying the mobile WiMax wireless high-speed Internet service.

Interview: Green Packet Leverages Its WiMAX Advantages; Sees Strong Growth Opportunities – June 23, 2009 (WiMax.com) : Operating as both a WiMAX equipment & solutions provider as well as a WiMAX service provider through its Packet One Networks subsidiary in Malaysia, Green Packet … Read the rest

MTS to Serve Rural Russia with Help from EBRD

goingwimax on June 29, 2009

329ebrd The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced its success in raising €218 million for Russia’s MTS mobile operator. Commercial banks will provide €103 million of the loan. The loan will support MTS’s expansion and deployment of new technologies that reduce energy consumption of base stations, incorporate renewable energy sources, and reduce the carbon footprint of telecommunications.

MTS Systems Corporation collaborates with product developers to help customers design, develop, and produce high quality technological products. The company serves the global telecom market. The EBRD is an international financial institution that invests primarily in private sector clients whose needs cannot be fully met by the market. It promotes the entrepreneurship of small businesses and the privatization of publicly-owned companies.

EBRD will set aside €10 million of its loan to fund MTS’s trial program for rural areas. The program will attempt to cut MTS’s carbon footprint by using renewable energy to power 20 base stations in rural Russia. The trial will use 3G, GSM, and WiMAX technology to power base stations in the rural areas.

The telecom industry has failed to power rural base stations in the past because of the high cost and seemingly low return; however, the 3G, GSM, and WiMAX technologies are a solution to the financial issue. If the program succeeds, it could reach rural communities that exist beyond the reach of electrical grids. It could also cut energy use by up to 46 percent.

The EBRD’s endorsement of environmental-conscious technology through MTS mirrors the move toward smart grids around the world. General Electric (GE), IBM, Google, and others are now in the midst of developing smart grids for their utilities products. GE announced just last year that it plans to base its smart grid products on a WiMAX platform.… Read the rest

Weekly WiMAX Report #6

Ari Zoldan on June 25, 2009

atlanta-skyline-at-sunset_-georgia1 Exclusive Interview with WiMAX Analyst Jeff Kagan about Clear Atlanta – June 22, 2009 (Wimax News)

WiMAX is spreading fast in Atlanta as Clearwire makes the city a testing ground for the latest broadband technology. Residents of Atlanta now have access to the highest Internet speeds and coverage in America. Here in New York City, Wimax News inteviewed Jeff Kagan, a respected Atlanta-based telecom analyst, to give us his expert opinion and perspective on Clearwire’s WiMAX service in Atlanta.

Alvarion to Deploy a Nationwide Mobile WiMAX Network in Italy With Aria – June 23, 2009 (Wimax News)

Few days after closing a $100 Million Deal to help deploying rural broadband over the US, Alvarion announced today it has tied up with Italian telecom operator Aria SpA to deploy mobile WiMax network throughout the country.

Photo Gallery : Clear WiMax Official Launch in Atlanta – June 22, 2009 (Wimax News)

Clearwire officially celebrated the launch of its WiMax service in Atlanta on Tuesday, though the system has been operating without publicity for about six weeks. There was a public celebration at the city’s Atlantic Station on June 16.

Open Range Communications, Alvarion to Deploy Rural WiMAX Network – June 19, 2009 (Wimax News)

Alvarion announced this week that it had been chosen by US broadband provider Open Range Communications, Inc. to build a 4G wireless network covering 17 states, 546 rural communities, and reaching up to 6 million people. Open Range will implement the $100 million deal over a span of five years.

WiMAX Equipment at Computex Taipei Shows Wireless Mobility Maturing – June 17, 2009 (CENS)
Explaining why WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) integrated devices exhibited at the Computex Taipei show this year far outnumbered that last year, Lonnie McAlister, product line manager of the Taiwan branch of Intel Microelectronics Asia Ltd., said: “Because every WiMAX thing is mature.”

Icon Private Equity to Create WiMax Operator in Russia – June 16, 2009 (Wimax News)

Icon Private Equity plans to invest $200 million into the development of WiMAX networks in Russia’s regions, according to Kirill Dmitriev, the fund’s Managing Partner during the 13th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday. Huawei Technologies Ltd was awarded a contract for supply of the equipment for the new network.

NEC Mobile WiMAX Base Station Selected for Japan – June 15, 2009 (Microwave Journal)
UQ Communications Inc., a nationwide Japanese telecommunications carrier capitalizing on … Read the rest

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