Kuala Lumpur, 9 February 2011 – Greenpacket, a leading developer of next generation mobile broadband and networking solutions, signed an agreement with Time Warner Cable, the second largest cable operator in the U.S. with 14.5 million customers across 28 states, to provide its next generation connection management solutions.

Time Warner Cable will use customized versions of Greenpacket’s Intouch Connection Manager (ICM), Intouch Reporting Server and Intouch Update Server for its Windows and Mac platforms. Greenpacket’s suite of Intouch solutions is expected to enhance the connectivity experiences of end-users as they move across Time Warner Cable’s multiple wireless broadband networks. Furthermore, the solutions would enable the operator to more efficiently manage and monitor access to their networks while providing a much richer user experience.

Vijay Venkateswaran, Senior Director of Mobile Data Product Management at Time Warner Cable said, “Greenpacket has demonstrated the ability to quickly develop highly competitive world-class solutions that will enhance our delivery of fast, reliable mobile broadband experiences to our customers. We are impressed by Greenpacket’s level of responsiveness, innovation, customer service and commitment during the selection and product delivery process.”

The Time Warner Cable agreement marks Greenpacket’s monumental homecoming into a highly competitive and demanding U.S. telecommunications market. While the Company was founded in the U.S., Greenpacket focused on building a stronghold in Asia, successfully securing a leadership position in the region for its connection management software. Kelvin Lee, Senior General Manager of Greenpacket said, “Greenpacket’s North America re-launch into the sophisticated U.S. market proves that our scalable connectivity solutions answer the rigors of a rapidly transforming telecommunications landscape.”

Consumers are quickly adopting mobile lifestyles and want hassle-free connectivity experiences wherever they go. This trend is driven by the accessibility of mobile broadband, devices and connected applications. Lee said that this leaves operators to deal with questions on rising mobile data usage, delivering quality broadband services and optimizing access networks. “Intouch bridges this gap between operators and their customers,” added Lee.

Greenpacket will be demonstrating its Intouch connection management solutions at the upcoming GSMA Mobile Congress from February 14-17, 2011. Attendees and delegates will be able to meet Greenpacket at 3.1HS34.

For all the talk of the impending irrelevance of WiMax, it sure is making a big splash these days in some of the nation's biggest markets. The recent article in the New York Times trumpeting the arrival of WiMax in NYC, LA, and San Francisco via Clearwire may have been a boon for the 4G brand. Even with Verizon's impending LTE rollout, there is a groundswell of WiMax activity occurring as the number of cities covered by Clearwire's 4G network jumps to 57.

On top of the advancement of their mobile broadband network across the American expanse, Clear is seeing increased interest from one of the largest names in the media world. Time Warner has announced that they'll be tapping into WiMax 4G, using Clearwire's technology, in order to bring faster Internet to NYC. The cable giant's service will give customers access to  nationwide 3G service and 4G coverage in the ever-growing list of cities where Clearwire's network exists, so long as users subscribe to another of the company's cable services.

The partnership has its pros and cons for Clearwire. One of the original selling points for their own brand of 4G WiMax was that it offered customers a faster alternative to those who felt there was little available alternative to the vertically integrated services offered by their own cable providers. I know, as a Time Warner customer, I've often been dissatisfied with the frequent internet speed issues that plague my apartment. By allowing Time Warner to get in on their WiMax efforts, they, in effect, give users access to the same technology and the ability to roam with it without the inconvenience of dealing with multiple providers. Thus, the possibility of needing to pay more than one bill is eliminated. Sure, Clear's mobile internet service has a different and somewhat more convenient price point for those hard up for cash, but when one-stop shopping is the name of the game, you'd be surprised how little customers might take that into consideration. Not to roll over and die on the issue of vertical integration by corporate behemoths, but sometimes it's just easier to get all your stuff from one place. Does the name Wal-mart ring a bell?

On the flipside, the diversification of Clearwire's efforts to bring their WiMax technology to the masses via cable, a tad before Verizon brings LTE to the market, could prove a masterstroke in terms of establishing a foothold for that standard of 4G in the United States. So will the increased WiMax activity sink Clearwire or will it help them swim? Time will tell.

Summer is most people’s favorite season. The weather  is fantastic and people want to do more. Companies take the time to release new products and services. This extends to the WiMAX space too. Clearwire will have 50 U.S. markets by the end this summer.

Comcast will offer 3G Internet services in Boston soon, with WiMAX coming early this summer. In their earnings report for first quarter 2010, Comcast hinted that WiMAX will come to Boston during the second quarter of 2010.

This leaves June as the expected date when Clearwire will launch WiMAX in Boston. It’s an exciting way to start the summer. It is also an exciting time because it’s believed that Sprint will release the HTC EVO 4G phone during the early summer months. This comes along with CLEAR launching services in central Pennsylvania in the beginning of May.

The WiMAX operator recently announced the 18 markets it will add to the current 32 by the end of summer 2010.  St. Louis, Orlando, Tampa, Syracuse and Rochester and NY are among the markets that will get WiMAX services. Clearwire partnered with Comcast and Time Warner Cable to offer the service under their brands.

Comcast and Time Warner Cable offer pretty standard devices, simple USB devices for business men that spend a lot of time on laptops. They can now hold video conferencing in parks where the 4G coverage is available. The service will be bundled with the home internet connection, providing a cheaper rate for home and mobile internet connection. WiMAX provides the same kind of speeds that are seen with wired internet connections.

It shows renewed investment in WiMAX from the cable companies. It’s publicized when Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Google, Sprint and Brighthouse all invest in Clearwire, but to actually see the service being offered is a brighter sign. It shows commitment and not just an influx of cash.

Bundling the packages are smart because it allows users to get the technology and eventually switch to a better WiMAX connection from CLEAR or Sprint. CLEAR and Sprint offer similar WiMAX packages, but Sprint has the advertising dollars to promote 4G a little more than CLEAR. Sprint only offers two 4G devices now, the Overdrive Mobile Hot Spot that handles up to five WiFi devices at one time, and a USB modem. Soon they will offer the sleekest and most sought after device, the HTC EVO 4G, the first WiMAX-enabled phone available in the U.S. It doubles as a hot spot and works on 3G connection when not in a 4G market.

CLEAR promotes wisely, holding launch events and other promotions within market. They don’t have to spend a lot on national television advertisements or national print ads. It’s cheaper to purchase space in local magazines and the local broadcast stations. CLEAR offers many similar devices to Sprint, including a 4G+USB modem that falls back to 3G when not in a WiMAX network. CLEAR also offers the only home WiMAX modem. They offer packages for both home and mobile use, granted you must purchase both devices.

If you’re in one of the new WiMAX markets and plan on making the change, there’s a lot of quality options. CLEAR offers the most comprehensive variety of devices, from the CLEAR Spot mobile hot spot, to USB Modems and a home modem for users looking to have a complete WiMAX internet package. Sprint offers the sexiest device, the HTC EVO 4G but it’s going to be on the expensive side. CLEAR plans on releasing a WiMAX phone by the end of the year, but they’re probably going through a few tweaks before making an announcement. It’s going to be an exciting summer for WiMAX.

Clearwire, along with wholesale partners Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Sprint announced their summer 2010 launch lineup on May 5. It’s an impressive list of markets, including Tampa, Orlando, St. Louis, Nashville and Salt Lake City. In all, Clearwire will add 18 new markets by the end of summer 2010. This adds to the already positive news that Clearwire launched 4G in central Pennsylvania on May 1.

Each operator will offer their own brand of WiMAX. Comcast will offer the services in Merced, Modesto, Stockton and Visalia, CA, Wilmington, DE, Grand Rapids, MI, Eugene, OR, Yakima and Tri-Cities, WA. Time Warner Cable will offer WiMAX services in Kansas City, KA, Rochester and Syracuse, NY.

Comcast will use the Comcast High Speed 2go brand when marketing WiMAX. It will be bundled with their home internet connection in the markets. Time Warner will market the product under Road Runner Mobile. Road Runner Mobile offers a 3G connection when not covered in the 4G market. Time Warner offers two different USB modems for its 3G/4G unlimited service and 4G unlimited service. Comcast offers similar services, using mostly USB modems for a 4G connection.

Clearwire and Sprint will offer their 4G services in all markets. CLEAR WiMAX offers faster download speeds, more mobility and great devices. Get the CLEAR Spot mobile hot spot that allows for up to eight WiFi enabled devices. Get the fastest connection for iPhones, iPads and other devices. Sprint offers the Overdrive, a mobile hot spot for up to five WiFi enabled devices. Sprint’s brand, 4G will offer many different packages, depending on which device users choose. Also being released this summer is the Sprint HTC EVO 4G, the first WiMAX-enabled phone available in the U.S.

It’s super fast internet connection is presented in four different ways in different markets. Any people in these markets should be excited to experience the fast speeds offered by WiMAX. Clearwire is making the push to add a significant population to its subscriber base during the summer 2010. It was expected that the company would  take drastic measures this summer to grow its user base by expanding to more markets.

Clearwire and Sprint plan on launching WiMAX in many other markets in 2010. New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington D.C., Denver Minneapolis, San Francisco, Miami, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh will join the 18 markets above by the end of 2010. It’s all part of Clearwire’s plan to cover 120 million people by the end of 2010.

Full List of Summer 2010 Markets

• Tampa
• Orlando
• St. Louis
• Nashville
• Salt Lake City
• Jacksonville
• Daytona, FL
• Kansas City, KS
• Merced, CA
• Modesto, CA
• Stockton, CA
• Visalia, CA
• Wilmington, DE
• Grand Rapids, MI
• Eugene, OR
• Yakima, WA
• Tri-Cities, WA.
• Rochester, NY
• Syracuse, NY

Photo Courtesy of hawaii via Flickr

Time Warner Cable recently decided to increase its investment in WiMax. The company started offering WiMax services in Dallas, North Carolina and Hawaii in December of 2009.

Road Runner Mobile offers subscribers wireless broadband internet speeds of 6Mbps and provides the convenience and ease of mobility within the WiMax network. Prices range from $40 to $80 per month with at least one other TWC service. Time Warner leases space from Clearwire because it was Clearwire that set up the base stations and other hardware necessary to install a WiMax network.

TWC plans to add new mobile services in the future, including mobile DVR programming. The company is working with Clearwire and Sprint to develop a 4G wireless voice product for a WiMax network. WiMax enables TWC to diversify its phone and Internet services.

The company generated $1.92 billion of free cash flow, meaning that an increase in funding for WiMax should not hinder TWC.
Photo Courtesy of FLC via Flickr

Clearwire is currently changing its business model as it becomes more of a wholesaler. The company plans to focus on leasing space on its WiMax network to other telecommunications companies like Time Warner Cable, Sprint Nextel and Comcast. WiMax networks currently cover 30 million people in the U.S., though Clearwire has less that one million subscribers. Clear is the service end of Clearwire’s roll out plan.

Some operators have previously released specifications for the purchase of their CPE products to the market, however these products will not always be purchased through Clearwire‘s supply chain.

Clearwire currently offers service in 27 markets throughout the U.S., including Las Vegas, Chicago and Philadelphia. There have been rumors that Clearwire may team with Wal Mart to roll out complete coverage across the U.S. and they are also in the process of making a big push to get into two more vital markets, New York and San Francisco.

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 began in 2008 and aims to provide a network for Internet access in Rwanda. This announcement demonstrated both WiMax’s increasing popularity globally along with major momentum taking off in developing countries who are currently struggling to gain wireless Internet capabilities. Though poor infrastructure, insufficient resources, lack of knowledge and financial instability are major problems facing rural, developing countries, WiMax has proven to be an adequate means of providing wireless Internet – and looking ahead at the ways in which WiMax will benefit additional countries in the future is a hopeful and exciting prospect.

Though many have been skeptical of WiMax in the United States, 2010 could and should be the year when WiMax takes off and gains major ground at home. Though deployment abroad has been increasing in recent months and years, nationwide WiMax in the United States has been very spare. This will all change in 2010. The combination of a broadband stimulus plan, an accelerated rollout by Clearwire to reach 120 million people in the New Year, and a bigger WiMax push by Clearwire wholesale partners Sprint Nextel, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable appear to be many of the key ingredients necessary for expansion of WiMax in the U.S. Because WiMax technology represents 25% of the last mile broadband stimulus applications, the eventual release of broadband stimulus funds should be yet another boost to WiMax venders in 2010.

A major complaint regarding WiMax’s mainstream appeal has been a lack of mobile devices. Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow recently made comments regarding a WiMax handset to come late in 2010, and a variety of new WiMax-enabled devices will rollout in 2010 to further spur on WiMax growth and usability, as seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this past weekend. Sprint recently unveiled a new WiMax phone from HTC, the A9292, making it the second WiMax phone from HTC that will work on Google’s Android operating system. Other items on the inventory list include Sprint’s LG LS680 Android operated handset, LG’s LN510, a device combining a touch screen and a Qwerty keyboard marketed towards the texting/messaging consumers, and the LN240, a cheaper texting phone offered by LG. Sprint is also bringing to the market the Blackberry Tour 2 9650, a device combining both Wi-Fi and the Blackberry 5.0 operating system. Motorola will be introducing a full touch screen Android 1.6 phone with a 5MP camera onboard and a black version of the Clutch. The introduction of so many new WiMax-enabled devices to the market gives insight into the increasing popularity of WiMax in the upcoming year and the new ways in which it will effect the technology world at large.

At the start of the New Year, we are also hearing more and more about the successful test launch of Long Term Evolution (LTE). Some experts are skeptical of the new system while others are confident that LTE will surpass WiMax deployment in years ahead. Verizon has committed to rolling out LTE, delivering ten times the data of current 3G technologies. Other companies including NTT DoCoMo in Japan, Telecom in France, Vodafone in the U.K., AT&T, and T-Mobile have also announced that they plan to adopt LTE rather than WiMax. Concurrently, Sprint, Clearwire, Comcast, UQ Communications, and Yota are all aggressively rolling out 4G networks using WiMax technology. This being said, are LTE and WiMax on a collision course? And if so, who will prevail? Both WiMax and LTE use the same building blocks and are far more similar than they are different. Godfrey Chua, research manager in the wireless and mobile infrastructure group at IDC pointed out that though the two are similar, there are discrepancies that must be noted -

“LTE was designed with mobility in mind from the get-go, while 802.16 (WiMax) evolved from standards based on fixed wireless networking…We characterize WiMax and LTE as two circles that overlap. Inevitably there will be some competition, but competition is not the overriding market scenario. It’s not what defines those two markets.”

The picture is still unclear and because LTE is only in its early stages, it may take until 2011 until we even begin to see real indicators as to where the wireless world is going in light of these two competing technologies. Whatever the case may be in future years, 2010 will be the year of WiMax.

Motorola ran its first major public demonstration of WiMAX more than two years ago on a boat at WiMAX World in Chicago. The windy city is Motorola’s hometown, and since the fabled boat ride there in 2007, many of us have been anxiously awaiting an official 4G service launch. That wait has now ended. Motorola and Clearwire have announced the availability of Clear WiMAX service in Chicago today. As part of the launch celebration, Motorola is donating laptops and USBw 100 adapters to students at the local Nativity BVM School, and Clearwire is providing twelve months of free WiMAX service.

Details:

• Motorola is the infrastructure provider for the Clearwire WiMAX network in Chicago
• Infrastructure equipment provided includes Motorola’s WAP 600 and WAP 450 Diversity Access Point products
• Motorola also has two consumer WiMAX devices available for Clear customers in Chicago, the USBw 100 adapter, and the CPEi 150

The Chicago launch today coincides with WiMAX launches by Time Warner Cable (a Clear service reseller) in several North Carolina markets and Dallas, Texas.

Mari Silbey is the Editor of Media Experiences 2 Go, an official blog out of the Motorola Home and Networks Mobility business. While it is a corporate blog, posts only reflect one person’s opinion and not necessarily those of the company and/or its stakeholders. Mari Silbey worked with (though not directly for) Motorola from the time this part of the business was called the Broadband Communications Sector. A lot has changed since 2002-2003, and a lot more is going to change in the years ahead of us. As a blogger here, Mari’s job is to track where things are going in the industry based on what she can learn from within and what gets reported externally from other sources. Read the original post here.

Time Warner Cable is a global leader in providing television, phone and internet service. Its launch of Road Runner Mobile in three markets in North Carolina on December 1 showcases WiMax technology.

Below are some of the WiMax services that Time Warner offers:

• Road Runner Mobile 4G National Elite gives customers the freedom of unlimited access to both Time
  Warner Cable’s 4G Mobile Network and a national 3G network
• Road Runner Mobile 4G Elite gives customers unlimited access to the Time Warner Cable 4G Mobile Network
• Road Runner Mobile 4G Choice gives light users 2GB of service on the Time Warner Cable 4G network each month

Time Warner Cable will  expand its 4G Mobile network by adding WiMax including Dallas and San Antonio TX and Honolulu and Maui, HI. It partners with other communications providers to help launch WiMax networks around the U.S.

Quick Facts:

Company Type: Public: NYSE-TWC

Location: 60 Columbus Circle, 17th Fl. New York, NY 10023

President and CEO: Glenn A. Britt

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.

Time Warner launched WiMax networks in three North Carolina markets on December 1. Brightpoint will provide an easier supply chain solution to Time Warner Cable. It supports the launch of Road Runner Mobile including wireless data card, accessory and collateral fulfillment and returns, triage and repairs.

Brightpoint  enhanced its portfolio through more product offerings including full range of sales & distribution, logistics, and activation services. Management continues to seek new operational initiatives that offer improved customer handling of PDA’s, data and 3G/4G wireless devices.