This weekend Daryl Schoolar, a Senior Analyst with the market research firm In-Stat who has been covering all topics about broadband since 2000, wrote an interesting article on GiGaom unleashing WiMax’s business perspective in the upcoming months and years, also disputing Nokia’s recent comparison of WiMax with Betamax.
“…I believe there is a market for WiMAX. WiMAX’s problem comes from that fact when people talk about it, they do so within the context of the cellular technologies like LTE — but WiMAX is suited to a different use case altogether. Unlike cellular technologies that offer true mobility, WiMAX will offer what I call “nomadicity” — mobility a person can use while in a city but not when traveling between two metro areas. I conducted surveys at In-Stat in 2007 and 2008 to measure consumer interest in different wireless business models. The business models were based on laptop data usage, and described service offerings from mobile operators, hotspot providers, and Sprint/Clearwire’s WiMAX service plans. In both studies, consumers responded more favorably to the business model I described for WiMAX than those for cellular or Wi-Fi. …“
“ Coverage everywhere may be ideal, but consumers really want coverage just where they are. For most consumers, this location is their home metro area. The business model coverage description of WiMAX was limited to coverage in consumers’ home metro area, and a third of all U.S. cities. This is what I call “nomadicity” vs. “full mobility,” as is found with cellular [...] More than 80 percent of consumers said they had some level of interest in a plan that would provide broadband service both at home and on-the-go. Another 40 percent said they would switch from their current fixed broadband provider for one that could give them home and on-the-go service. Currently, Clearwire provides this in its Portland market.”
“I believe there is a business case for WiMAX [...] Whether or not Clearwire survives, I believe its emphasis on nomadicity, with a service that mixes both fixed and mobile broadband, will be successfully used by other WiMAX service providers.”
Read full article on GiGaom : WiMAX Can Win — If It’s Not Playing Against Cellular… Read the rest
]]>This weekend Daryl Schoolar, a Senior Analyst with the market research firm In-Stat who has been covering all topics about broadband since 2000, wrote an interesting article on GiGaom unleashing WiMax’s business perspective in the upcoming months and years, also disputing Nokia’s recent comparison of WiMax with Betamax.
“…I believe there is a market for WiMAX. WiMAX’s problem comes from that fact when people talk about it, they do so within the context of the cellular technologies like LTE — but WiMAX is suited to a different use case altogether. Unlike cellular technologies that offer true mobility, WiMAX will offer what I call “nomadicity” — mobility a person can use while in a city but not when traveling between two metro areas. I conducted surveys at In-Stat in 2007 and 2008 to measure consumer interest in different wireless business models. The business models were based on laptop data usage, and described service offerings from mobile operators, hotspot providers, and Sprint/Clearwire’s WiMAX service plans. In both studies, consumers responded more favorably to the business model I described for WiMAX than those for cellular or Wi-Fi. …“
“ Coverage everywhere may be ideal, but consumers really want coverage just where they are. For most consumers, this location is their home metro area. The business model coverage description of WiMAX was limited to coverage in consumers’ home metro area, and a third of all U.S. cities. This is what I call “nomadicity” vs. “full mobility,” as is found with cellular [...] More than 80 percent of consumers said they had some level of interest in a plan that would provide broadband service both at home and on-the-go. Another 40 percent said they would switch from their current fixed broadband provider for one that could give them home and on-the-go service. Currently, Clearwire provides this in its Portland market.”
“I believe there is a business case for WiMAX [...] Whether or not Clearwire survives, I believe its emphasis on nomadicity, with a service that mixes both fixed and mobile broadband, will be successfully used by other WiMAX service providers.”
Read full article on GiGaom : WiMAX Can Win — If It’s Not Playing Against Cellular
]]>“I have been using mobile service since the middle of December and home (fixed) service for about 1 month. In regards to] mobile service – I use the mobile service frequently, but not every day – and to this date, the service is not failed (ie. not been available in an area I know it should be there when I wanted to use it). now, I have come across spots that are dead – little to no signal. I’m hoping over time, they will locate and eliminate these dead zones. They only officially launched in January, so I am sure they have not tested every possible connection spot.
The only limitation I’m finding is that mobile service indoors is spotty. At my house, it’s fine indoors. At Costco, indoors, it’s fine. But at the hospital, in the waiting area (deeper inside an 8-story building) I couldn’t get a signal. I finally did get my signal up on the 7th floor, in a patient room near the window. As long as I’ve been outdoors, I’m getting good solid service in the areas that I travel.
Here is a google map that I’ve created mapping the connection speeds I’m getting at various places in my area
- How has your experience been with fixed Wimax?
so far, so good, it hasn’t failed yet, in the 1 month I’ve had it. I found the location in my home with the best signal strength, connected it to a network switch that is running hard wires to some spots in my house as well as a WiFi access point. All my computers are happy. I’m getting an average of 2.0 – 2.5 Mbps when using the computers on my home network -both wired and wireless.
- Do you Feel the price is right for the service that you are getting ?
Yes, it’s very cost effective. For my home service, I’m paying $30/month with no contract. If I signed up for a contract, I could save even more.
Even the mobile service, advertised at $50/month for unlimited usage, is good.
I’ve always been a mobile internet user, but have been limited to wifi hotspots. Now, I can connect anytime anywhere I want to … that’s extremely convenient for me. I could be in my car parked in the middle of a field and still get access to the internet and the things I need/want to do. … Read the rest
]]>“I have been using mobile service since the middle of December and home (fixed) service for about 1 month. In regards to] mobile service – I use the mobile service frequently, but not every day – and to this date, the service is not failed (ie. not been available in an area I know it should be there when I wanted to use it). now, I have come across spots that are dead – little to no signal. I’m hoping over time, they will locate and eliminate these dead zones. They only officially launched in January, so I am sure they have not tested every possible connection spot.
The only limitation I’m finding is that mobile service indoors is spotty. At my house, it’s fine indoors. At Costco, indoors, it’s fine. But at the hospital, in the waiting area (deeper inside an 8-story building) I couldn’t get a signal. I finally did get my signal up on the 7th floor, in a patient room near the window. As long as I’ve been outdoors, I’m getting good solid service in the areas that I travel.
Here is a google map that I’ve created mapping the connection speeds I’m getting at various places in my area
- How has your experience been with fixed Wimax?
so far, so good, it hasn’t failed yet, in the 1 month I’ve had it. I found the location in my home with the best signal strength, connected it to a network switch that is running hard wires to some spots in my house as well as a WiFi access point. All my computers are happy. I’m getting an average of 2.0 – 2.5 Mbps when using the computers on my home network -both wired and wireless.
- Do you Feel the price is right for the service that you are getting ?
Yes, it’s very cost effective. For my home service, I’m paying $30/month with no contract. If I signed up for a contract, I could save even more.
Even the mobile service, advertised at $50/month for unlimited usage, is good.
I’ve always been a mobile internet user, but have been limited to wifi hotspots. Now, I can connect anytime anywhere I want to … that’s extremely convenient for me. I could be in my car parked in the middle of a field and still get access to the internet and the things I need/want to do. I travel a lot with business, so I’m excited for this service to be available in other cities where I travel.
I am concerned how the different carriers will treat a customer from a competing carrier that roams on their network. I want to be able to access the network via wiMAX in every city I travel to, regardless of carrier. I just hope they don’t pull me over the coals with roaming and access charges.”
Within two years of its startup, Quantum Networks, LCC founded by Ari Zoldan has made extraordinary and rapid headway with the pioneering of WiMAX; the next generation wireless broadband network. This novel technology will not only allow people the freedom to choose their own hotspots, but it will also enable them to receive high-speed Internet connectivity in remote areas, far from any previous network sources, without even signing up with any wireless carriers. The WiMAX connection offers an instantaneous Internet connection, recording up to 70 Mbps, at low and affordable costs. Just recently Clearwire, which has merged with Sprint, installed its first ever WiMAX network in the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Portland. The Portland network alone connects users within 700 square miles of the city. This innovative technology has firmly established its roots in the race for the next generation wireless broadband network and will prove to have a major impact in the future of the Internet if it lives up to its expectations.
Nevertheless, few innovations are created without encountering some bumps and bruises along the way. In its initial stages, black holes of non-connectivity were formed in certain terrain-restricting areas. Many leading companies doubted the prospects of WiMAX and instead placed their trust in LTE, Long Term Evolution. LTE is a third generation wireless network that is only in its conception stages and will not be deployed for a few years to come. Although there continues to be a debate over whether WiMAX or LTE will be the prevailing next generation of wireless technology, several leading companies such as Sprint, Clearwire, Google, Comcast, Intel, and Time Warner have placed their trust and alliance with WiMAX.These organizations felt that WiMAX has many advantages over its leading competitors, including LTE. WiMAX is a next generation WiFi technology and is much more flexible than LTE. It has been up and running for a few years, which has given its developers ample time to improve its efficiency, signal strength, and speed. WiMAX is transmitted through microwaves on the 802.16 frequency and can reach distances up to 30 miles. These signals reach over 500 times further than the current leading WiFi technologies. Even when its network is distributed among thousands of users, the WiMAX network will still operate at speeds similar to those of DSL or Cable. More than WiMAX’s incredible power to connect an entire city is its unique ability to provide a viable and strong network to rural areas, country sides, and remote villages. This technology will revamp the modern world as we know it today. Soon, people’s cell phone coverage will increase dramatically, cars will be fully equipped with Internet activity, and boats miles away from land will be able to watch videos on YouTube or make purchases on Ebay. With WiMAX innovations still being unveiled on a regular basis, the possibilities are truly endless.
Recessions hurt.
We’ve previously noted that decision-makers at many of the technology industry’s leading corporations seem to have a lot of faith in WiMAX, specifically in Clearwire’s United States venture. The catch is that the market does not share their optimism.
Intel’s losses after acquiring Clearwire now total $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion – significantly more than the previous estimate of $50 million. Meanwhile, Nokia is pulling the plug on WiMAX-enabled mobile devices designed specifically to work with Clearwire’s networks. At present, it’s a sensible strategy for Nokia, because mass sales of WiMAX products can not become a reality until Clearwire manages to roll out its offerings to a greater number of markets. But this could be a case of a double bind. Manufacturers like Nokia depend on the success of Clearwire before they can profit from WiMAX-equipped mobile devices, but Clearwire will have a harder time attracting customers in the absence of those devices. To borrow an old cliché, WiMAX technology seems to be taking one step forward and two steps back – at least for the time being.
But how likely is it that this currently sticky situation will kill off WiMAX development in the United States, as some have suggested? The survival of WiMAX depends, like all new ventures, on the future health of the economy, and it is difficult to predict how much longer it will take for the skies to clear. But ultimately, metropolitan WiMAX is still a good idea. There are even indications from Clearwire – at the moment, a mighty burden on the shoulders of Intel – that its offerings will eventually flourish. “Clear,” the company’s 4G WiMAX broadband service, will launch in Portland this year. Of course there will be no fancy Nokia tablets on the market to woo Oregonians with a variety of mobile options – though Intel Centrino 2 notebooks with embedded WiMAX will be out within the year – but residential users can still lease 4G modems from Motorola for a whopping $4.99 a month, or buy mobile USB modems at $49.99 each. Basic access to the 4G network then costs $20 to $30 a month. (Prices increase with greater usage.) That’s cheaper than most basic mobile plans by major cellular service providers, and comparable to the cost of residential high-speed Internet access. With analysts predicting that Clearwire will reach nine markets in total in 2009, … Read the rest
]]>Recessions hurt.
We’ve previously noted that decision-makers at many of the technology industry’s leading corporations seem to have a lot of faith in WiMAX, specifically in Clearwire’s United States venture. The catch is that the market does not share their optimism.
Intel’s losses after acquiring Clearwire now total $1.1 billion to $1.2 billion – significantly more than the previous estimate of $50 million. Meanwhile, Nokia is pulling the plug on WiMAX-enabled mobile devices designed specifically to work with Clearwire’s networks. At present, it’s a sensible strategy for Nokia, because mass sales of WiMAX products can not become a reality until Clearwire manages to roll out its offerings to a greater number of markets. But this could be a case of a double bind. Manufacturers like Nokia depend on the success of Clearwire before they can profit from WiMAX-equipped mobile devices, but Clearwire will have a harder time attracting customers in the absence of those devices. To borrow an old cliché, WiMAX technology seems to be taking one step forward and two steps back – at least for the time being.
But how likely is it that this currently sticky situation will kill off WiMAX development in the United States, as some have suggested? The survival of WiMAX depends, like all new ventures, on the future health of the economy, and it is difficult to predict how much longer it will take for the skies to clear. But ultimately, metropolitan WiMAX is still a good idea. There are even indications from Clearwire – at the moment, a mighty burden on the shoulders of Intel – that its offerings will eventually flourish. “Clear,” the company’s 4G WiMAX broadband service, will launch in Portland this year. Of course there will be no fancy Nokia tablets on the market to woo Oregonians with a variety of mobile options – though Intel Centrino 2 notebooks with embedded WiMAX will be out within the year – but residential users can still lease 4G modems from Motorola for a whopping $4.99 a month, or buy mobile USB modems at $49.99 each. Basic access to the 4G network then costs $20 to $30 a month. (Prices increase with greater usage.) That’s cheaper than most basic mobile plans by major cellular service providers, and comparable to the cost of residential high-speed Internet access. With analysts predicting that Clearwire will reach nine markets in total in 2009, and with low-to-average pricing for cash-conscious end users, WiMAX technology could soon break out of its current doldrums. As VentureBeat blogger Andrew Ha points out, it’s just too soon after the final merger approval to write off Clearwire’s efforts entirely.
Recessions hurt. But sometimes, an economic downturn can be the best time to launch a business. Clearwire has the ability to use this climate to its advantage. It’s a tough time for companies invested in WiMAX, but predictions of doom and gloom are simply premature.
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