Entries tagged with “WiMAX” from WIRELESS AND MOBILE NEWS

Clearwire introduced the software development community in Silicon Valley, a 4G WiMAX application test environment. The sandbox covers

The developer network sandbox, covers more than 20 square miles in Santa Clara, Mountain View and parts of downtown Palo Alto, California.

The current coverage footprint includes the local campuses of Intel and Google, two founding Innovation Network supporters who have also commenced their own internal 4G application development programs. Cisco’s campus will receive coverage in the coming months as the network expands.

After launching the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 intelligent mobile hotspot, Sprint now adds two 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Routers to its mobile broadband arsenal: Sprint Personal Hotspot PHS300S and Cradlepoint MBR-1000 Broadband Router for business, each featuring both 3G and 4G connectivity.

These devices are available for use with any Sprint 3G or 4G data plan ranging from $39.99 to $79.99 per month (excluding taxes and surcharges).  

Used in combination with Sprint mobile broadband devices, like the 3G/4G USB Modem U300, these Mobile Broadband Routers can simultaneously connect Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, laptops, MP3 players, cameras, gaming devices and other Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the Sprint 3G and 4G networks. Used with a broadband device,

The routers provide access to the turbo-charged Sprint 4G network as it continues to roll out and access to America's most dependable 3G network virtually everywhere else. Users can enjoy secure, high-speed connections from virtually any location, whether on a family outing at the beach or doing business at a remote job site. 

Clearwire announced the official launch day of CLEAR 4G service in Boise, Idaho; Bellingham, Wash.; and eight markets throughout Texas, including: Abilene, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, Killeen/Temple, Waco and Wichita Falls will occur on September 1, 2009.

Clearwire will celebrate the official launches in each market with local events, retail store openings, ad campaigns and promotional offers throughout the fall.

Comcast launched high-speed wireless data  in Portland as the company kicks off its nationwide rollout of Comcast High-Speed 2go.

Comcast's High-Speed 2go is a 4G wireless high-speed data service that they claim provides the fastest available wireless Internet in the nation via wireless data cards. Comcast will be selling this wireless service bundled with one or more of its popular Internet, phone and television products, providing mobile broadband where ever and whenever customers need to be connected.

Comcast is selling two different data cards and service plans:

• Comcast High-Speed 2go Metro service uses a 4G-only data card giving customers the fastest wireless service within the 4G metro coverage area. The Metro device operates only in a 4G service footprint.
• Comcast High-Speed 2go Nationwide service delivers the fastest metro 4G service plus coast-to-coast access on Sprint's national 3G network. The Nationwide device automatically switches between available 4G and 3G networks.

Clearwire Communications says they have transformed Atlanta into the fastest unwired city in the South. The city is now home to the largest 4G WiMAX wireless broadband network in the United States with CLEAR service available to nearly three million people across approximately 1,200 square miles.

CLEAR delivers a mobile broadband Internet experience on par with speeds typically experienced only on fixed residential and commercial connections, like DSL. For example, some of today's 3G wireless networks typically deliver download speeds of between 1.0 and 1.7 Mbps. CLEAR customers, however, can expect to see download speeds of 4 to 6 Mbps with bursts exceeding 15 Mbps, far surpassing even the peak theoretical speeds of 7.2 Mbps in upcoming 3G upgrades. In Atlanta, the CLEAR network utilizes an area-wide WiMAX radio system from Motorola.

CLEAR's mobile and residential plans can be purchased by the day or by the month, and do not require long-term service contracts. Home Internet service plans start at $20 per month, while mobile Internet plans start at $40 per month, or customers can purchase a convenient day pass for $10. Additional savings are available for customers purchasing both home and mobile Internet services or signing up for a two-year service agreement. Full details about pricing options and business plans are available.

According to Unstrung, Sprint will offer a tri-mode with CDMA, WiFi and WiMAX connectivity, and may launch the Sprint 4G service in new unannounced locations.

"We haven't announced specific timing or any more details other than to say we expect to offer a 4G phone on our road map for 2009-2010," a Sprint spokeswoman told Unstrung.

Sprint currently offers a CDMA/WiMAX modem card for users of the WiMax network in Baltimore.

Clearwire WiMAX will be launched in Atlanta, Honolulu, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Portland, Fort Worth, and Seattle in 2009. Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., and other cities will have WiMAX launched in 2010.

"The list in the release isn't necessarily inclusive of everything for 2009 and 2010," she wrote.

Juniper reports that up to 12% of the global DSL installed base will be substituted by WiMAX by 2013. The Far East will lead with over one fifth of the 47m subscribers in 2013.  

A region by region analysis by Juniper Research found that there is a significant opportunity now for WiMAX as a DSL substitute technology. The study explored how WiMAX is well suited to rapid deployment in the many underserved areas, not only in developing areas, but also in developed countries.

Report author Howard Wilcox said: "WiMAX will be an attractive offer in areas where there are no wired networks, and in areas where the existing DSL speed is suboptimal.   WiMAX will solve the broadband access problem for users located at the fringes of DSL coverage.   This is in fact the case in a number of developed nations such as UK, USA, Ireland and Scandinavia, and WiMAX network operators are deploying networks to address this market need.   Additionally in developing countries - such as India - network operators are aiming to provide basic connectivity."

Sprint has announced their 4G WiMAX plans which mirror Clearwire. They will launch in major cities this year and more markets in 2010.  New devices such as tri-mode modems are planned. Sprint owns 51% of Clearwire and acts as a reseller of Clearwire WiMAX.

They claim, Sprint 4G offers turbo-charged mobile broadband - peak downlink speeds of up to 12 Mbps in Baltimore today and average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps - three to five times faster than today's 3G service from any carrier.

Sprint plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in many markets in 2009, including Atlanta, Honolulu, Charlotte, Las Vegas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Portland, Fort Worth and Seattle.

Sprint also expects to launch service in multiple markets in 2010 including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Sprint reportedly will launch a new smartphone that works with WiMAX, CDMA cellular and maybe Wi-Fi in early 2010

The exact details are "still being finalized," said Scott Lane, director of marketing and sales for Sprint's 4G unit, in an interview.

Lane referred to it as a "trimode handset," enabling it to function in three wireless modes. Including WiMax and CDMA, the third mode will probably be Wi-Fi, although that part has not been confirmed.

It could be first smartphone to work with the Clearwire WiMAX network. Sprint sold its WiMAX, Xohm to Clearwire, last year. Currently, Sprint employees on parts of the campus in Overland Park and customers in Baltimore already have access dual-mode wireless network cards that can access either Sprint's traditional high-speed network or WiMAX.

Cleawire delivers a "True Broadband" experience, mobile Internet customers can expect to receive up to 4 Mbps download speeds.

We found some great demonstration videos from the Clearwire launch in Portland, Oregon.

Clearwire will launch a new home router designed for their mobile WiMax service. It basically creates it’s own Wi-Fi hotspot and can used in the car, in park or on the go. The WiMax router allows the signal to be used by up to eight Wi-Fi devices.

They also have a dual mode modem that connects to 3G and WiMAX networks.

There is a demo video from showing streamed videos, music and other data intensive app used on notebook computer inside a streetcar. They also view traffic cameras live.

Clear delivers a “True Broadband” experience, with up to 6 Mbps download speeds with the Clear residential modem, while mobile Internet customers can expect to receive up to 4 Mbps download speeds. (Videos can be viewed by clicking on continue reading)

Clearwire has started selling services in Portland, Orgeon. Their new name is very clear, it's Clear.  Xohm is gone.Their WiMAX is supposed to be faster than Wi-Fi hotspots. They urge vistor's to "Get clear now."

Their website shows that new cities coming soon will be:

• Las Vegas, NV
• Grand Rapids, MI
• Atlanta, GA

The are offering e mobile plans:

• Unlimited Monthly Usage for $50 a month.
  
• Frequent 2GB of monthly usage for $40 a month.
  
• Occasional for $30 200MB of monthly usage.

While the $10 day pass is "Coming soon." You'll be able to enjoy 24 hours of super fast mobile Internet. It's like a WiFi hotspot all over Portland.  They are also offering home, business and combo service packages.

Unstrung uncovered Cleawire's job postings  for a director of network deployment and a network deployment project manager for next generation network deployments in Los Angeles.

This deployment seems to make sense because Los Angeles is so "like totally mobile."

Clearwire's plans are contingent upon FCC approval, scheduled for November 4.

BWA and WiMAX subscribers worldwide reached 2.3 million in Q2 2008 - a 19% growth over the first quarter and a 70% increase over Q2 2007, according to the 5th issue of the WiMAXCounts Quarterly Report from Maravedis.

"Global service revenues continue to rise thanks to subscriber growth and despite the fact that ARPUs remain unchanged in the last quarter. However the average subscriber base per deployment remains very modest at 15,000 and contributes to the challenging lack of volumes facing the emerging device ecosystem. The launch of Xohm by Sprint-Clearwire represents the beginning of a tipping point for the industry," noted Adlane Fellah, CEO and founder of Maravedis. Robert Syputa, partner, added that "the tipping points are more deeply felt than some suppose. As awareness deepens, confidence in WiMAX technology, and the disruptive incubator nature of the WIMAX business creation model, is growing."

"Mobile WiMAX does not need hundreds of deployments to be successful. It needs 4-5 champions with deep pockets per region to drive future volumes - something which is now quietly taking shape" added Adlane Fellah.

"We have seen an increasing interest from operators in mobile WiMAX," added Jeff Orr, co-author of the Quarterly Report. "We attribute the slow increase of proprietary deployed CPEs mainly to operators upgrading their networks to offer pure WiMAX, either in its fixed '16d' or mobile-capable '16e' versions."

With over 10% growth in attendance and a 15% increase in the number of sponsors and exhibitors over last year, WiMAX World 2008 Conference & Expo -  wimaxworld.com - was the largest event ever held in the WiMAX market. 

This week more than 9,000 professionals converged at McCormick Place in Chicago to hear from the world's leading WiMAX ecosystem companies, including Clearwire, Motorola, Huawei, INTEL, Nokia Siemens Networks, Samsung and XOHM.

Sprint's XOHM WiMAX service goes live in

Baltimore today. With average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps, the data-centric XOHM broadband service differs from present wireless offerings in that:

• No long-term commitments or contracts are required, freeing customers from restrictive long-term subsidized plans;
• Monthly home, on-the-go and day-pass Internet plans provide service choices;
• A single monthly charge covers service for multiple WiMAX access devices;
• WiMAX devices are purchased like other computing/consumer electronic devices,
• XOHM broadband service is self-activated and includes future updates capability;
• Customers can enjoy an Internet portal offering enhanced mobile services;
• The Open Internet business model transcends other carriers' wireless walled gardens that restrict services, choice and innovation.

Starting today, customers can purchase XOHM-branded Samsung Express air cards for $59.99 and ZyXEL modems for $79.99 via XOHM web, telesales or select Baltimore-area independent retailers. Additional WiMAX devices such as a ZTE USB modem, Intel Centrino 2 WiMAX notebook PCs and the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition are expected in market later this year.

Introductory offers allow customers to choose from both daily and month-to-month service options. At launch, mobile WiMAX service plans include a $10 Day pass, $25 monthly Home Internet service and $30 monthly On-the-go service. Special launch pricing includes a $50 "Pick 2 for Life" monthly service option covering two different WiMAX devices. Visit www.xohm.com to view the current XOHM WiMAX coverage area, details of the introductory broadband service offerings and device sales information.

Several sources state the Sprint will be launching WiMAX in Boston, Philadelphia and Dallas/Fort Worth after other announced markets.

Baltimore D.C. is on schedule to launch and may be early with average download speeds of 3 to 5 Mbps in the network coverage areas

2Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ("Huawei") won 17 new commercial WiMAX 16e commercial contracts in the first half of 2008, more than the total number of contracts signed for the whole of 2007. To date Huawei has secured 29 WiMAX 16e commercial contracts and accumulated over 35 trials which according to IDC, means the company is the joint market-leader in WiMAX 16e market share.

 "Huawei is the only solution provider to rank in the 'Top 3' across mobile, fixed network and IP segments according to industry analyst firms, Dittberner, Ovum-RHK and Gartner" said Mr. Zhao Ming, President of Huawei's WiMAX product line. "Huawei has been developing these technologies for over 10 years and is committed to integrating optimal resources to provide our customers with the most competitive and diversified WiMAX solutions."

The WiMAX chipset market is advancing quickly. There are solid 2-chip designs consisting of a single-chip baseband IC and a single-chip RF IC that are bringing power consumption down. Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, and Sequans have single-chip designs that include both the baseband and RF. Most importantly, WiMAX chipset ASPs are dropping rapidly.

“Even as the mobile WiMAX chipset market has barely gotten its feet wet, chipset ASPs are declining rapidly due to heavy competition and greater integration in designs,” says ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis. “Prices for the baseband and RF components of the chipset have come down from the $35 range a few years ago to below $25, and will drop below $10 in 2011. These falling WiMAX chipset prices are critical for inclusion of the technology in smaller mobile devices.”

Backhaul is very important for 4G expansion, and IP backhaul is the chosen option for Sprint, who selected DragonWave's IP-based backhaul solutions for its XOHM-branded WiMAX mobile-broadband services in North America.

DragonWave's Horizon Compact and Horizon Duo products will be deployed initially in the Baltimore/Washington and Chicago markets. DragonWave's native Ethernet radios will provide Sprint's XOHM network with carrier-grade reliability, capacity, throughput and Quality of Service (QoS) for backhauling 4G traffic. The Horizon products provide software controlled scalability, ultra-low latency, wire-speed connectivity up to 1.6 Gbps full duplex, 99.999% service availability and a full suite of network management options. Ring/mesh network architecture coupled with adaptive modulation and integrated antenna solutions enables a 50% reduction in the total life cycle cost compared to conventional designs enabling Sprint XOHM to rapidly and affordably expand their market coverage and meet increased bandwidth requirements.

"Big-name carriers such as Sprint are confronting the backhaul challenges of the mobile Internet, and, consequently, they are increasingly transitioning to lower-cost IP backhaul to support 3G and 4G expansion and booming data rates," said Caroline Gabriel, Research Director and Lead Wireless Analyst with Rethink Research Associates. "Carriers no longer can allow backhaul bottlenecks to slow their mobile-broadband growth plans, so we are seeing heightened uptake for powerful IP backhaul solutions that allow for simple, cost-efficient network rollout."

The global BWA/WiMAX subscriber base increased by 260,246 in the first quarter of 2008, reaching a total of 1,988,246 subscribers according to the 4^th issue of the WiMAXCounts Quarterly Report from Maravedis.

There was an increase of more than 19% in WiMAX subscribers in the first quarter of 2008, while operators are still waiting for the tipping point that will lead to acceleration of WiMAX adoption and deployments. 

Many operators have held back their network expansion pending the mobile WiMAX 802.16e equipment certification, which was announced in June 2008.

Of the 264 operators tracked in WiMAXCounts, approximately 50% of them are providing HIS (High Speed Internet) services only. The remaining percentage corresponds to operators that are offering different applications, such as VoIP, Video, VPN , in addition to HIS.

"We expect however double/triple play to become the norm in the next two years" said Robert Syputa, Maravedis Partner and Senior Analyst.