Thursday, September 27, 2007

WiMAX chipset roundup - Part 1

WiMAX chipset roundup - Part 1 | Wireless Net DesignLine

Alcatel-Lucent Reinforces WiMAX Open CPE Program

Alcatel-Lucent has expanded its interoperability testing (IOT) efforts with Intel to ensure the compatibility of Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX infrastructure with CPE and consumer electronics devices integrating Intel's latest fixed/mobile WiMAX silicon, the Intel(R) WiMAX Connection 2250 as well as its WiMAX MIMO-capable chipset for mobile devices. Under the successful research and development collaboration and co-marketing agreement Alcatel-Lucent and Intel signed in 2004, the two companies have made strong progress in their joint efforts to promote the WiMAX ecosystem, successfully completing IOT for fixed applications and now engaging in testing of chipsets and infrastructure supporting nomadic and fully mobile services. Devices based upon Intel's WiMAX chipsets are expected to be made available for fixed and nomadic services before the end of 2007, and for mobile services in 2008.

Martin working to revise 700 MHz open-access provisions

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin is aggressively pushing for prompt revisions to the 700 MHz open-access rule—even before the agency completes a review of the various regulatory challenges to the full 700 MHz decision, according to industry sources who suggest the behind-the-scenes activity is tied to Verizon Wireless’ lobbying.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Alcatel-Lucent, Kyocera Collaborate on WiMAX Mobile Broadband | Wireless IQ

Alcatel-Lucent and Kyocera Wireless have signed a joint development agreement for the development of end-to-end wireless broadband solutions based on WiMAX technology. The solutions will incorporate Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX network infrastructure — based on the latest IEEE 802.16e-2005 standards and a variety of wireless end-user devices from Kyocera, including multimode mobile phones, non-traditional wireless devices, wireless PC cards and USB devices for PCs.

Motorola WiMax chip aims at new device market

The chipset, consisting of a baseband modem and a radio reference design, has been tested and verified with WiMax network infrastructure from Motorola and other leading vendors, the company said.The modem is designed for WiMAX 802.16e Wave 1.0 and 2.0 compliance, and supports advanced MIMO matrix A and B antenna configurations.

Friday, September 21, 2007

Verizon Wireless to join Vodafone in upgrade to LTE

Verizon Wireless and Vodafone Group plc will both use Long Term Evolution technology as the 4G evolution path for their respective networks, according to remarks by company executives this week.

Arun Sarin, CEO of Vodafone, and Verizon Communications Inc. chairman and CEO Ivan Seidenberg, spoke about the technology choice at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference yesterday. Vodafone and Verizon control Verizon Wireless through a joint venture.

Sarin laid out a path toward LTE evolution within the next three to four years. Vodafone relies on GSM- and HSPA-based technology for wireless high-speed data access in its properties abroad, while Verizon Wireless—45% owned by Vodafone—is a CDMA operator whose most recent network upgrade has been to EV-DO Revision A.

The news marks a serious setback for CDMA backers, as Verizon Wireless is one of the world’s largest supporters of the technology. Indeed, the news puts Ultra Mobile Broadband—which is Rev. C on the CDMA network-upgrade path—into question, as no operator has yet publicly voiced intentions to move toward the technology.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Old mobile spectrum to be freed

If Ofcom's proposals win support, the 900Mhz frequency will be available for three other operators to use and both chunks of spectrum will be allowed to support both second and third generation services.

Owners of the right to use these parts of the spectrum would also be able to trade these rights to other companies.

By lifting restrictions, Ofcom said that operators would be able to boost the data carrying capacities of their 3G networks for relatively little cash.

The emerging Femtocell industry may find these proposals somewhat disconcerting as the key application is to improve indoor coverage of 3G services. (The other benefit is to allow fixed-mobile substitution and carry data traffic over the fixed broadband network).

Sprint: 700 MHz Spectrum Not All That Important for WiMax

That's not to say Sprint's not interested in the upcoming auction. Gude quickly pointed out that if, in the future, Sprint was able to get its hands on some of that sweet 700, the company would certainly make use of it for coverage purposes. At the same time, he warned: "if you only have 700, you've got a big problem because you can't get the depth of coverage to deliver that broadband experience. And then you start cell splitting and you start cell splitting to generate more capacity…"

Intel WiMAX chips finally on the table - 20 Sep 2007 - Information technology news - NZ Herald

Opening Intel's annual developer forum in San Francisco yesterday, chief executive Paul Otellini said he expected 1.3 billion people to be in range of WiMAX wireless broadband networks by 2012, up from 750 million in 2010 and 150 million next year.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Samsung Invests in UK 3G / WiMax Player

"Our strategic investment in picoChip represents Samsung's commitment to advanced wireless," said Brian Kang, principal investment manager at Samsung Ventures America. "picoChip is a key player with leading edge solutions for both WiMAX and femtocells, and we are delighted to be working with them as we address these growing wireless markets."

Ericsson modules challenge Qualcomm, WiMax

Ericsson AB has developed its first module to bring high-speed cellular data to notebooks and other client devices, challenging a market where Qualcomm reigns and crossing swords at the Intel Developer Forum with Intel which is promoting adoption of WiMax. The Swedish base station giant aims to accelerate adoption of cellular data use, especially in laptops and home routers.

The Ericsson F3507 module delivers High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) at rates of 7.2 Mbits/second for a downlink and 2 Mbits/s for an uplink. The mini PCI device includes a third-party global positioning system chip and consumes a total 2W peak.

Ericsson aims to compete on price with Qualcomm when the modules ship in January. The company would not disclose its target price yet, but said its strong patent position and use of mainly in-house chips would make its costs significantly lower than competitors such as Novatel and Sierra Wireless who buy chips and pay significant royalties to Qualcomm.

Big-name vendors lined up to offer WiMAX laptops | Channel Register

Intel will ship Montevina in May 2008, the chip giant's CEO, Paul Otellini, revealed today. He also re-stated the company's belief that WiMAX, not HSUPA/HSDPA-augmented 3G, is the wireless technology that will bring mobile broadband to the masses.

Sequans and Celestica Release Integrated Baseband and RF Solution for Large Mobile WiMAX Base Stations

The solution integrates Sequans' new baseband Mobile WiMAX chip, the SQN2130, the first Mobile WiMAX base station MAC/PHY in the market, with Celestica's open base station architecture initiative (OBSAI)-compliant Remote Radio Head (RRH) solution accelerator platform - providing a total solution for manufacturers of large Mobile WiMAX base stations. OBSAI standards have been established to create an open market for cellular base stations.

Sprint Launches Femtocell-Based FMC Solution | PwC CommunicationsDirectNews.com

Sprint has announced the launch of a fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) solution using a Femtocell system called the Airave. Targeted at users with patchy indoor reception, the service will also provide an FMC solution by providing unlimited incoming and outgoing calls, but only for calls initiated within range of the Airave router. The equipment is a re-branded version of the CDMA Ubicell Femtocell base station from Samsung, which will cost US$49.99 to buy, plus US$15 per month for a single user or US$30 per month for multiple (family) users.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Telsima Announces Shipment of 10,000 Base Station Sectors; Details Innovative Mobile WiMAX Strategy and Product Portfolio

Telsima is now delivering the full spectrum of Mobile WiMAX products for end-to-end Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) networks. The Telsima line of StarMAX products is IEEE 802.16e-2005 compliant and supports 450 MHz, 2.5GHz, 3.3GHz and 3.5GHz bands. It includes ASN-GW, TRUFLE ASN-CS, Mobile WiMAX Macro and Pico base stations, Tier 1 proven Network Management System, Indoor and Outdoor Modems and PC Cards.

Telsima has also developed a new architecture called TRUFLE™ ASN for migration to Mobile WiMAX networks for those operators who have a need to serve fixed and mobile users with the same WiMAX network. TRUFLE ASN allows for operators to profitably operate 802.16e network with fixed and mobile users and to migrate to a fully Mobile WiMAX network based on their business needs. This new architecture, which is currently being field-tested by Tier-1 operators, is NWG compatible – allowing operators to upgrade the network to Profile A or C compliant Mobile WiMAX while leveraging their initial infrastructure investment.

Monday, September 10, 2007

Nokia To Launch WiMAX Handsets

The next generation of Nokia’s Internet Tablet will feature the long-range wireless broadband technology known as WiMAX, the latest push by the Finnish cell phone maker to develop an all-in-one handset.

The company, which controls about one-third of the worldwide mobile phone market, said it had already signed a deal with U.S. carrier Sprint to make the new tablets available to subscribers in the first half of 2008.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

3G LTE and SIP Capability to Dominate Mobile Markets

UMTS Long Term Evolution (LTE) will dominate the world’s mobile infrastructure markets after 2011, according to a recent study from ABI Research. While LTE will encounter competition from other mobile broadband technologies, its supporters point to its flat architecture, low latency, and IP NGN (Next-Generation Network) capability to provide a range of SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) services.

Monday, September 03, 2007

Speed bumps on the road to hi-tech heaven

The card uses High Speed Download Packet Access (HSDPA) an upgrade for third-generation mobile networks.

Its theoretical maximum speed is 14.4 mbps - much faster than most fixed line broadband connections.

The highest speed currently available in the UK is 3.6mbps - offered by several networks including T-Mobile and Vodafone.

In practice I've yet to achieve half of that.