Pardus Capital Management has implored Clearwire to reconsider their spectrum sales strategy in an attempt to improve negotiations with Sprint Nextel.
spectrum
By Craig D. Dingwall
Last week the FCC adopted the Second Memorandum Opinion and Order (Second MO&O) to make vacant airwaves between TV channels—so called “white spaces”—available for unlicensed broadband wireless devices. Touted as the first significant block of “prime real estate” spectrum made available for unlicensed use in more than 20 years that will create jobs, investment, innovation and unleash a host of new technologies such as super Wi-Fi and other diverse applications, this spectrum is attractive because it allows signals to reach farther with better penetration of structures. According to the FCC, this spectrum could promote “super Wi-Fi hot spots” with extended range and speed while improving broadband access to schools, rural areas, and campus networks to promote streaming video and other applications. But will it live up to these promises and, if so, under what terms and conditions? The MO&O provides additional details and addresses several technical and legal issues. Specifically, among other things, the FCC through the MO&O:
- Modified the protection criteria for low power auxiliary stations such as wireless microphones to reduce the required separation between such devices and unlicensed personal/portable devices that rely on geo-location and database access to determine available channels at its location;
- Modified the definition of the receive sites entitled to protection outside of a television station’s service area to include all multi-channel video programming distributors as defined by its rules;
- Reserved two vacant UHF channels for wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary service devices across the country;
- Allowed operators of event and production/show venues using large numbers of unlicensed wireless microphones that cannot be accommodated in the two reserved or other available channels to register those venue sites on TV bands databases to receive the same geographic spacing protections afforded licensed wireless microphones;
- Restricted fixed TV bands devices from operating on locations where the ground level is more than 76 meters above the average terrain level;
- Eliminated the requirement that TV bands devices incorporating geo-location and database access must also listen (sense) to detect the signals of TV stations and low power auxiliary service stations (wireless microphones);
- Adopted power spectral density limits for unlicensed TV bands devices;
- Modified the rules governing measurement of adjacent channel emissions;
- Restricted fixed TV bands devices from operating at locations where the height above average terrain of the ground level is greater than 76 meters;
- Required that communications between TV bands devices and
The FCC recently concluded in its Sixth Broadband Deployment Report that between 14 and 24 million Americans still lack access to broadband or “advanced telecommunications capability” that enables users to originate and receive high-quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications using any technology. The FCC, in its July 20th Report, estimates that 1,024 out of 3,230 counties in the United States and its territories are unserved by broadband and, on average, these unserved areas are home to 24 million Americans living in 8.9 million households with a population density of 138.3 people per square mile and a per capita income of $14,565 measured in 1999 dollars. The FCC’s estimates of broadband availability are based primarily on the Model that FCC staff created in conjunction with the development of the National Broadband Plan, and the broadband subscribership data the FCC collects on FCC Form 477.
The FCC applied a “de minimis threshold,” under which it found broadband to be available in a county only if at least 1 percent of the households in that county subscribe to broadband. Stated differently, broadband is deemed available in a county if it is unavailable to up to 99% of the households in that county! Given this relatively low threshold, the FCC data may tend to actually overstate broadband availability in the United States. These and other details are critical to understanding the full impact of the FCC’s data.
So how and when will broadband deployment improve in the United States? The Report proposes to meet the FCC’s goal of deployment to all Americans by implementing key recommendations from the FCC’s National Broadband Plan, including reforming the FCC’s universal service programs, unleashing spectrum for mobile broadband, reducing barriers to investment, collecting better broadband data, and upgrading the standard from 200 kilobits per second downstream, to 4 megabits per second (Mbps) downstream and 1 Mbps upstream.
As we noted last week in our Back to the Future article, other possible solutions involve changing the regulatory classification of broadband, and moving it from an information service to a more heavily regulated telecommunications service. Critics of this approach typically raise concerns of increased costs and regulatory delays, ultimately leading to reduced or stifled broadband availability. This debate is currently playing out in comments and reply comments filed with the FCC in response to the National Broadband Plan. Given enough spectrum, engineering solutions such as higher transmitter … Read the rest
TT&T will bid on the spectrum auction in Thailand. The WiMAX spectrum auction was moved to February 2011. The company has started deploying infrastructure ahead of the auction. Thai government officials plan to auction four blocks of the 2.3GHz spectrum.
TT&T plans on getting 500,000 subscribers within the first two years of the launch, including offering bundle services for 200,000 of its existing fixed line customers. The company also plans on targeting Bangkok, installing WiMAX base stations in the city and surrounding area.
It’s an ambitious move to install infrastructure before being awarded the spectrum space. It could be a terrible move if they don’t win the auction. Spectrum space in any country is very valuable. Thailand can get high speed internet to places where it wasn’t available before WiMAX.
Photo Courtesy of Lionoche via Flickr… Read the rest
Looking at the continued expansion of WiMAX in recent months in the U.S. and across the globe, it appears that two major factors will continue to forward this momentum – both the launch of new devices and Clearwire’s spectrum advantage. New devices are making WiMAX more mainstream while Clearwire’s ownership of so much spectrum space amidst the spectrum crisis has given it a crucial edge over LTE and other developing technologies, allowing for rollout in new cities across the nation. After the launch of numerous devices and announcements regarding targeted markets for future deployment at CTIA 2010 last week, it is even more apparent that other major service providers like AT&T and Verizon really don’t stand a chance against the Sprint Clearwire powerhouse at the moment.
In terms of new devices, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse unveiled the most cutting-edge phone of the year, the HTC Evo 4G WiMAX smartphone. It is the first 4G phone and runs on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network and Google’s Android 2.1 operating system but with HTC’s Sense user interface overlay. It is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor with a large 4.3 inch 480-by-800 LCD screen and has an 8 megapixel camera on the back and a 1.3 megapixel camera on the front, allowing for video conferencing over WiMAX or Wi-Fi. Sprint and Clear made a big push for this at at CTIA and it got a lot of much-deserved attention.
Another hot device was HTC’s HD2. Similar to the HTC Evo, the phone runs on Window’s Mobile 6.5 and is available through T-Mobile. It has a 1GHz Snapdragon processor but is slimmer with a smaller battery and only a 5 megapixel camera. Samsung’s Galaxy S was unveiled and also runs on Android 2.1, with a 1 GHz Samsung processor and a screen with a touch sensor within the screen itself, making it 20% brighter with 80% less reflection.
At the show, big carriers like AT&T and Verizon acted with caution and a lack of excitement, not offering much in their announcements admidst the hype and energy surrounding Sprint and Clearwire. 
Clearwire’s chief commercial officer Mike Sievert even made comments targeted at AT&T and Verizon regarding recent announcements of limited spectrum space available to them as compared to Clearwire’s spectrum monopoly.
Motorola’s i1, an Android 1.5 phone designed for Sprint Nextel’s IDEN network and optimized for push-to-talk, was also launched. It has a 3.1 … Read the rest
A number of next generation technology topics, including WiMAX, will be discussed at the annual NGN & Basestations Conference in Bath, UK, April 19-23, 2010. Other topics will include next generation networks, basestations, LTE, femtocells, backhaul, spectrum re-farming, and going green.
Distinguished speakers from leading operators including Vodafone, Telenor, Telefonica, O2, British Telecom, Orange, SFR, Virgin Media, 3UK, Vimplecom, Digicel, Mobilkom Austria, Elisa, and Globul will share a platform with industry analysts from Ovum, ABI Research, Analysis Mason, Heavy Reading, Arete, GSMA and Ofcom.
A major topic of discussion will be the deployment of home basestations/femtocells, with increasing numbers of operators worldwide introducing new products.
Vodafone markets the Sure Signal femtocell in the UK and Head of New Technology for Vodafone, Kenny Graham, will be speaking on “Femtocells — the Next Phase”. Green Basestations and networks are another hot topic and the conference will be focusing on claims made by vendors and operators alike to be more eco friendly.
“Whilst there are many conferences (on wireless networks), the International Basestation Conference is exceptional both for its clear focus and the high-quality of attendees,” said Rupert Baines, VP of Marketing at picoChip, who will be addressing the topic of Architecture for Next Generation Networks at the conference.
The conference aims to bring together all the different players in the the wireless world – operators, network vendors, analyst and subsystem/chip providers and more to provide delegates with the latest on LTE standards, backhaul, femtocells, spectrum refarming, mobile WiMAX, VoIP, HSDPA, fixed/mobile convergence, and more.
To follow the conference, check out the event site at www.avrenevents.com.
Photo courtesy of Ian Muttoo via Flickr… Read the rest
Dublin City University is using a WiMax network for a temporary trial period. It’s part of a HEAnet strategy that will develop colleges’ broadband networks in Ireland. The trial has been running since October 20. AirSpeed Telecom is supporting the effort, with 60 users from the college’s staff and students.
The aim of the trial is to see how well WiMax can be integrated into a college’s existing network. Its focus is on security and user-authentication systems. ComReg granted HEAnet a temporary license to run the trial, which received an extension in June. The base station has a range of about 1.2 kilometers and offers most users speeds of 6mbs. DCU and HEAnet are also interested in WiMax as it allows network access to students even if they are off campus.
“Reach is one of the main drivers of this as we can fill in most of the on-campus [wireless broadband] gaps with WiFi,” said James Healy, network manager at DCU. “However many students live in accommodation off campus – and it’s fair to assume many are within 1½ kilometres of the college – they are now able to pick up coverage and work from the college network.”
ComReg is expected to begin auctioning some spectrum this year to commercial operators. AirSpeed Telecom has also been working alongside HEAnet to create high-speed connectivity between the branches of Acadamh, NUIG’s Irish language division.… Read the rest
Clearwire Raises $2.8 Billion for WiMax Launch – Nov 25, 2009 (Wimax News)
Clearwire announced recently that it has raised $2.8 billion dollars for a national launch of WiMax services. The company had previously announced to stakeholders that it had initially raised$1.85 billion in a bond offering to pay off debt of $1.4 billion.
A New Product from Green Packet to Keep Your Home Safe – Nov 27, 2009 (Malaysia Star)
Green Packet Bhd hopes to sell 500 units of the IRIX 123, an Internet protocol-based surveillance system, a month in the first year of its introduction.
WiMax launched in Trinidad and Tobago – Nov 25, 2009 (Wimax News)
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago announced it has launched a WiMax network Trinidad and Tobago. This comes ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next week.
Brightpoint Signs WiMax Contract with Time Warner – Nov 25, 2009 (Wimax News)
Brightpoint Inc. received a contract to provide an integrated supply chain management system for the next-generation (4G) WiMAX network. Yesterday, the company announced that it entered into an agreement with Time Warner Cable Inc. to provide transportation management, inventory management, device customization, fulfillment, and reverse logistics for the Time Warner’s upcoming WiMAX ventures.
RCR Wireless News Hosts RCR Local Event at WiMAX Forum Congress Americas 2009 – Nov 24, 2009 (Business Wire)
Arden Media Company today announced an RCR Local event at the WiMAX Forum Congress Americas 2009 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The RCR Local event will occur on December 1st at the Broward County Convention Centre and features a panel of industry experts on the topic of “Building & Operating Profitable 4G Networks.”
Broadcaster Invests in DigitalBridge WiMax – Nov 24, 2009 (Wimax News)
According to TVB, WiMax provider DigitalBridge Communications has secured a third round of equity financing from investors. One of the investors include Schurz Communications, which also has 10 TV stations in its portfolio of media properties.
Dallas Time Warner Cable Customers to Get WiMax in December – Nov 24, 2009 (Wimax News)
Time Warner Cable who is reselling Clearwire Mobile WiMax service and bundling it with the company’s existing broadband, TV and VoIP services said in October that they’d be launching their service starting December 1st in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Charlotte and Greensboro.
Four Operators Gain 4G Licenses in Finland’s 2.6GHz Auction – Nov 24, 2009 (Rethink Wireless)
The Baltic states have … Read the rest
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
Possibly due to the fact both WiMAX and Wi-Fi are based upon IEEE standards beginning with 802. and both have a connection to wireless connection technology, comparisons between the two are frequent. Despite this, both standards are aimed at different applications.
WiMAX is a long range system, covering many kilometers, that uses licensed or unlicensed spectrum to deliver a point-to-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user. Different 802.16 standards provide different types of access, from mobile (analogous to access via a cellphone) to fixed (an alternative to wired access, where the end user’s wireless termination point is fixed in location.)
Wi-Fi is a shorter range system, typically hundreds of meters, that uses unlicensed spectrum to provide access to a network, typically covering only the network operator’s own property. Typically Wi-Fi is used by an end user to access their own network, which may or may not be connected to the Internet. If WiMAX provides services analogous to a cellphone, Wi-Fi is more analogous to a cordless phone.… Read the rest
