Rumor has it that Sprint is talks with Clearwire, to acquire the struggling WiMAX company. Currently Sprint has a 54% stake in Clearwire and they could be looking to buy out the remaining shares.
Time Warner
Clearwire’s 4G WiMAX technology is spreading faster than a cold in a day care center. Within the recent months coverage has increased by over fifty percent. Already laying claim to 74 markets in the United States, Clearwire is championing the 4G technology realm with gusto. These 74 markets span across the entire country in 25 different states.
A central point in this current 4G monopoly is the division of power of Clearwire Corporation. Sprint is the majority shareholder by a mere 56+%, with Comcast, Intel and Time Warner holding modest, yet still significant shares too. Evidently, Clearwire has been sharing its network with its partners, as we have seen Sprint unroll a 4G nationwide network in the last few months. Even more interesting, however, is the release of 4G technology from Clearwire’s other partners.
Both Comcast and Time Warner have announced plans to launch their “respective 4G networks” alongside upcoming Clearwire launches. It is a tad bit perplexing from this point on. It has already been established that Sprint will, of course, be sharing Clearwire’s glory with each new launch, adding each budding network to its own collection. What seems to be irregular, however, is that Clearwire is going to be launching its 4G network in some of its biggest cities during the upcoming months, concurrent with its partners. Time Warner has already linked onto the highly anticipated NYC launch, and Comcast to San Francisco’s.
Is this counterproductive? At the times of these deployments Clearwire will still be the sole 4G technology provider in these given cities. It’s possible that Clearwire wants to give consumers the benefit of making a choice in their decisions. It may cause the money’s flow to deviate from the anticipated Clearwire 4G domination. These minority “partners” may make higher dividends in these select cities. But, on the other hand, dissatisfied customers may find comfort in the shelter of companies not directly under the Clearwire umbrella. When Verizon and MetroPCS launch into larger markets, they have an opening to steal many of the condensed consumers from Clearwire’s grip. If, however, Clearwire allows its partners an anchor in the fresh 4G market, all companies stand a better chance of keeping their customers.… Read the rest
Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint are the companies leading the way for this new product. They exude confidence during technology fairs concluding that the 4G revolution is upon us. They’ve developed products to help connect to the network such as portable modems, usb drives, and sim cards. They’ve even entitled their networks; Sprint’s being WIMAX (World-wide Interoperability for Microwave Access) while Verizon and AT&T’s shall be called LTE (Long Term Evolution). However, perhaps their confidence is missed guided and their promise of debuting in 2013 is unrealistic.
WIMAX developed by the Sprint and Clear companies respectively, seems to be losing ground in the United States amidst their attempt to bring WIMAX success domestically. Though they’ve raised 3.2 billion dollars in investments to produce the network, Sprint and Clear may have underestimated how expensive it is to blanket the country in connectivity. Sprint, the lesser of the three major telecommunications distributors in the country, may not have enough currency to continue production if the 3.2 billion isn’t enough, and investors Google, Time Warner, and Intel may grow weary of waiting and pull their investments early. Also those dependent on their WIMAX’s success is far less than those who are dependent on LTE”s success due to the fact that Verizon and AT&T are far larger companies. … Read the rest
Clearwire raised around $290.8 million in a stock sale. The company offered 93,903,300 shares of Class A common stock, valued at $7.33 per share. The end results show that 39.7 million shares of Class A common stock were purchased for the final price. There was potential to raise $361 with all the stock rights offered.
Clearwire has a great track record of raising money through stock offering and partnerships with wholesalers and tech companies. Google, Brighthouse, Comcast, Time Warner and Sprint all invested hundreds of millions of dollars last year. That was to help with the build out of more networks in 2010, including adding markets in Houston, Baltimore and other launches in 2010.
The company has said it will spend between $2.8 and $3.2 billion building out their network this year. CLEAR service is offered in 24 markets, with plans to launch markets in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles by the end of 2010. This funding should go a long way to finish the network build out this year. It might also help Clearwire switch 4G technologies, from WiMAX to LTE.
Clearwire lost money during the first quarter of 2010, but it added more subscribers during that period than all of 2009. Thing are looking up for the 4G carrier, getting an advantage of being first to market with 4G wireless broadband. They’ll soon have competition in the market. Verizon Wireless plans on launching LTE in 25-30 markets by the end of 2010.… Read the rest
In recent months, rumors have been circulating regarding Time Warner’s interest in launching a VoIP service using Clearwire’s WiMAX network. These rumors were confirmed by Time Warner’s vice president for mobile services, Mike Roudi. Simply stated, he said that in order for Time Warner to become competitive with major carriers like AT&T and Verizon, the company will need a wireless voice offering.
Roudi pointed out that though the company’s current interest has been the launch of their mobile broadband, it is important to keep in mind that Time Warner has been brainstorming and strategizing about voice as well.
“One of the great things about the Clearwire WiMAX network is, just like we do voice over our wireline broadband, over time we will be able to do voice basically as a VoIP application. That is something we have our eyes on. We just have chosen not to lead with voice, because mobile broadband is a more immediate opportunity for us because it is such a natural extension of the wireline Road Runner product,” said Roudi.
While the mobile industry continues to be driven by subscriber growth among other factors, mobile broadband is going to continue to be a major focus in 2010 and beyond, with WiMAX as the key driver in many emerging markets. Time Warner’s own branded WiMAX service, Road Runner Mobile, has been available in Dallas, Hawaii and North Carolina. Based on the company’s Q4 2009 earnings and recent success, CEO Glenn Britt believes the networks of the future will combine both wireless and wireline components.
“This will develop in exciting ways we really can’t imagine today, but I think there is going to be a whole array of products using these hybrid networks in the future…this is the very early beginning and I don’t know how to size the opportunity because I don’t think any of us really and fully imagine what the products are going to be — but it is an exciting opportunity.”
Back in January, Britt said that Time Warner had the capability to create a wireless voice product, but that the company was unsure of its future. Time Warner’s momentum has cleary kept going since January and along with current markets where Road Runner is available, Roudi announced that the company plans to launch service in new markets including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and New York City later this year as Clearwire … Read the rest
After the first round of broadband stimulus funding led to disappointment and discontent, it appears that the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) is eager to properly and efficiently allocate money in the second round of funding.
The final window for applications opened last Tuesday, February 15 and will go until March 15. NTIA administrator Lawrence Strickling has said that the application process will be simplified and less laborious than round one and the NTIA will be giving special priority to applicants that are anchor tenants including hospitals, community colleges, and government agencies.
Xanadoo Networks CEO Mark Pagon commented on the simplified process and its effect, “WiMax projects should do essentially better in the second round. Lack of clarification in the rules for the first round created confusion and lead to many applications being denied, but improvements in the process should give applicants with sound proposals the opportunity to reapply in the second round.”
Up until recently, things have not gone smoothly. Only a very small percentage of the $7.2 billion for broadband in the stimulus package have been allocated thus far and incumbent carriers have been standing in the way of projects. Most of the funds from round one ended up going to vendors. A lack of funding assigned to specific projects also led to overwhelming demand for money from the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service that simply could not be met.
This being said, the question is, will the second round of funding help the targeted groups – those with the least amount of access and who need it most – the way that the NTIA and RUS have claimed that it will? NTIA administrators and government workers are looking forward with optimism and believe that they can improve the system and more fairly allocate funds based on need through a fair application review process.
In reviewing applications for round two, Strickler said that, “I am very much looking for the management experience of the team that’s putting it together, the budget they’ve put together, and the reasonableness of the assumptions they are making. We want to see that this is a project that will stand on its own once the federal money is gone.”
The grants are designed to address low-density areas where it is too expensive to lay broadband lines or build transmission towers to generate worthwhile return. A majority of the NTIA’s funds will go to middle-mile projects … Read the rest
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
Verizon Defends LTE at WiMAX Confab – Dec 2, 2009 (FierceWireless)
Clearly outnumbered by the mobile WiMAX advocates in the audience, Verizon’s Chris Neisinger defended his company’s choice of LTE for its 4G network technology. During the WiMAX Forum Americas 2009 conference here this morning, Neisinger said Verizon considered deploying mobile WiMAX technology but ultimately selected LTE because the company believes the technology will have a larger ecosystem.
Agreement Could Bring About Smartphone for WiMax Use – Dec 3, 2009 (Wimax News)
Users may soon have another way to access WiMax. AD2, Beecem and ECS have formed an agreement to Android-based smartphone for WiMAX users.
Time Warner Cable Announces Increase in WiMax Offering – Dec 2, 2009 (Wimax News)
Time Warner Cable launched mobile WiMAX service in Dallas and North Carolina December 1. The company states that its WiMax service, dubbed Road Runner Mobile, is as fast as its cable intenet service.
Airspan and Sling Broadband to Demonstrate Mobile WiMAX Network – Dec 2, 2009 (CNNMoney)
Airspan Networks Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AIRO), a leading provider of broadband wireless access networks, announced today that it plans to demonstrate its Mobile WiMAX solution, running on a dedicated backbone provided by Sling Broadband, a local Floridian WiMAX Operator, at the WiMAX Forum Congress Americas show December 2-3, 2009.
Exclusive: Green Packet Launches Infinit Service Management Platform – Dec 2, 2009 (Wimax News)
GoingWiMax caught up with Kelvin Lee, Senior General Manager of Green Packet Solutions to introduce Infinit Services Management Platform (ISMP).
Clearwire Hopes to Have WiMax-enabled Phones by Christmas 2010 – Dec 2, 2009 (Wimax News)
Clearwire has announced a self-imposed deadline for its plans for WiMax smartphones would be available by Christmas 2010, according to Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow.
ADC Teams with for WiMAX Access Service Node – Dec 2, 2009 (TMCnet)
ADC, a provider of global network infrastructure products and services, has chosen Aricent, a global innovation, technology and services company, to provide its WiMAX (News – Alert) Access Service Node or “ASN” software as part of the ADC WiMAX ecosystem.
25% of Grant Applications submitted are Wimax-based – Dec 2, 2009 (Wimax News)
25 percent of applications received by the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Department of Agriculture RUS Fund for last mile broadband stimulus applications are based on WiMax technology.
MoquiZone sets up First Base Station in China – Dec 1, 2009 (Wimax News)
MoquiZone has set … Read the rest
Time Warner Cable launched mobile WiMAX service in Dallas and North Carolina December 1. The company states that its WiMax service, dubbed Road Runner Mobile, is as fast as its cable intenet service. The company is currently offering the service on dual-mode air cards and 4G air cards which can be installed into most laptops.
“Road Runner Mobile lets customers take their favorite Internet service wherever they go.” said Barry Rosenblum, Executive V.P. of the Texas region for Time Warner Cable, “This is an important part of our strategy to give our customers any content, on any device, anytime, anywhere.”
Time Warner also plans to sell its mobile WiMAX service in San Antonio, Austin, TX and Hawaii on Clearwire’s 4G network by early 2010.
Time Warner invested millions of dollars in Clearwire over the past year. Time Warner also took part in a recent funding that helped Clearwire raise $2.8 billion dollars.… Read the rest
