Going WiMAX

Wireless connectivity company NextPhase Wireless, Inc. has been hard at work building a WiMAX network aimed to serve Southern California. Now, Marketwire reports that the company has landed its first customer: Hotel Roosevelt, the famed historical spot of the very first Academy Awards ceremony. This is somewhat of a breakthrough as the company aims to eventually provide WiMAX services to at least some of “the 250,000 business and government offices” in the So-Cal area. Though working on a smaller scale, NextPhase seems to have goals not so disparate from Sprint-Nextel’s as both companies aim to provide WiMAX services nationwide.

Speaking of Sprint, next month may yield some interesting speculation on the future success of the company’s Xohm network. Pyramid Research will soon be releasing a research report entitled “WiMAX Business Models: Will New Networks Ever Become Profitable?” According to TMCnet, the report will provide an analysis of Sprint’s WiMAX business model, with a focus on its economic impacts: both for Sprint and others interested in deploying WiMAX. This research comes at a valuable time given the recent debates on the profitability of Xohm and widespread concerns about Sprint’s commitment to the service.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, NextPhase Wireless, Los Angeles, WiMAX Southern California, Sprint, Xohm, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

Today, Florida-based SkyCross posted a press release announcing its involvement with Intel in developing WiMAX antennas for the new Dana Point Express34 PC card. These 2.5 GHz antennas will support WiMAX in the United States as well as parts of Europe and Asia. The antennas have received positive feedback in terms of their energy efficiency and their overall effectiveness. The Dana Point design cards are also noteworthy for their sleek modern design. The announcement is yet another exciting premonition of a new generation of WiMAX-enabled devices.

A second noteworthy article posted on TMC net describes some of the challenges posed to WiMAX deployment in the Caribbean. The low level of wired access in the Caribbean makes it seem like a prime location for developing WiMAX. However, the Caribbean’s major telecom companies may not have the buying power to purchase handsets at their current price, leaving access in that location at the mercy of handset prices. The article does offer some hope, however. Given that much of the Caribbean economy in hinged on tourism, the idea of marketing Internet access to tourists may be an impetus to investing in the technology. Nortel is working actively toward developing WiMAX technologies, with a particular focus on this part of the world.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, SkyCross, Intel, WiMAX PC Card, Nortel, WiMAX in the Caribbean, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

In a bit of delayed but definitely noteworthy WiMAX news, this month the United Nation’s International Telecommunication Union approved of WiMAX as a next-generation wireless technology. This gives WiMAX a distinct advantage over “Ultra Mobile Broadband, an alternative technology from Qualcomm, and Long-Term Evolution, an equivalent from Ericsson,” as the Herald Tribune reports.

In more altruistic news, TMCnet reports that Motorola has donated WiMAX equipment to the city of Garanhuns on the northeastern coast of Brazil. The donation was made under Motorola’s Canopy system, with Motorola responsible for installing and maintaining the equipment. Once installed, the system will make Internet access available in schools, libraries, cultural centers, and other areas. In conjunction with Motorola’s efforts, Dell will provide PC’s and Notebooks to furnish five IT labs.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, United Nations, Motorola, Ultra Mobile Broadband, Long-term Evolution, Qualcomm, Ericsson, Brazil, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

This week, Cisco Systems Inc. announced its intention to purchase Navini Networks, Inc. for $330 million, a move that confirmed Cisco’s interest in WiMAX and WiMAX-enabled products. According to Tony Bates, Senior Vice President of Cisco’s Service Provider Technology Group, Navini’s “portfolio of ‘Smart WiMAX’ products and technologies with wide-ranging offerings” enticed Cisco to consider acquiring the company. By making this acquistion, Cisco is in a strong position to participate in the deployment of WiMAX around the globe by having WiMAX technologies compliment their existing products.

For those keeping an eye on developments in the world of WiMAX, this is big news. Cisco is “the world’s largest maker of routers and switches to direct traffic over the Internet” and stood at “$22.3 billion at the end of the last fiscal year,” according to The Associated Press. To have such a powerful force in the industry reveal a genuine interest in WiMAX’s future suggests the potential successes of this technology as it continues to gain recognition and popularity. Thus, Cisco can be added to the list of other major supporters of WiMAX including Intel, Samsung, Motorola, Nokia Corp. and Sprint.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, WiMAX-enabled devices, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Intel, Sprint, Cisco, Navini, WiMAX investment, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

Nokia and Motorola are working on a couple of special WiMAX-enabled products, according to Cellular-News. Motorola is expected to release a CDMA/WiMAX dual-mode handset, while Nokia is expected to release a WiMAX-enabled Internet tablet. In addition, a WiMAX-enabled smartphone is also expected from Qisda by the end of next year. Further details about these products should be revealed in the coming months.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, WiMAX-enabled devices, Motorola, Nokia, Qisda, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

Smart Money has written an interesting commentary in response to claims that Sprint’s comittment to WiMAX is faltering after the resignation of Sprint Chief Executive Gary Forsee. The article points out that though Forsee is no longer a presence in the company, Sprint’s investments, partnerships and the WiMAX infrastructure work they have already completed still stands. It would be presumptuous to conclude that the elimination of one figurehead in the creation of Xohm would nullify all the preparations that are already underway. In addition, the current trend toward utilizing mobile WiMAX outside of the United States makes the creation of Xohm an even more attractive venture. Though Xohm is still currently underway, whether or not Forsee’s resignation will delay the rollout remains to be seen.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, Gary Forsee, Sprint, Xohm Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

According to Information Week, Clearwire unveiled its new WiMAX PC card yesterday. While utilizing Motorola’s WiMAX technology, the card allows users to connect to Clearwire’s WiMAX network from their PC. The card does not require an outside power source, but rahter functions on the power of any PC or laptop. The fee? $59.99 per month, with the potential for additional service fees. This announcements comes at a good time being that Clearwire’s WiMAX partner, Sprint, is rumored to be questioning its commitment to the development of Xohm, its nationwide WiMAX network.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, WiMAX PC Card, Clearwire, Sprint, Xohm Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

ComputerWorld reports that Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is preparing to issue two licenses to provide mobile WiMAX in Tokyo. In response, several companies have already lined up for the taking, including Open Wireless Network (an application jointly filed by Softbank and eAccess) and ACCA Networks Co. Ltd. with NTT DoCoMo.

These joint applicatons can be explained by the fact that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

would only allow existing 3G cellular carriers to own up to one-third of shares in the WiMAX providers, forcing the mobile operators to partner with other carriers.

NTT DoCoMo is the number one cellular carrier in Japan, while Softbank holds the number three spot. The licenses are expected to be given to the chosen companies in the next few months.

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, Open Wireless Network, 3G, Softbank, eAccess, ACCA Networks Co. Ltd, NTT DoCoMo, mobile WiMAX, Japan Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications

Despite demands from Verizon Wireless, the FCC is holding up to its original intent to have open access rules remain for its upcoming 700 MHz auction. The open access rules dictate that any application or device can connect to the network as long as it does not cause harm. Most interested bidders support the open access rule, including Google, Qualcomm and AT&T. In fact, the spectrum lends itself to a variety of uses including WiMAX, mobile television, and the expansion of current 3G networks. The auction is set for January, though there are rumors of delays. According to Telephony Online, “the FCC expects to raise more than $10 billion from the auction.”

Technorati Tags: WiMAX, mobile television, 3G, AT&T, Google, Verizon Wireless, FCC, 700 MHz spectrum, Ari Zoldan

Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications