NETGEAR and IPWireless, a developer of UMTS TD-CDMA mobile broadband technology, today announced a jointly developed NETGEAR UMTS TD-CDMA Mobile Broadband Router for mobile operators and broadband service providers worldwide.

It integrates UMTS TD-CDMA mobile broadband access with Wi-Fi and Ethernet to create mobile, portable, or stationary hotspots.

“Subscribers will enjoy the easy, plug-and-play NETGEAR UMTS TD-CDMA Mobile Broadband Router for shared broadband access at home, at work, and everywhere in between, even on the move, anywhere within the UMTS TD-CDMA coverage area,” said Patrick Lo, chairman and chief executive officer, NETGEAR.

The router will support UMTS TD-CDMA networks in any of their available bands. It featres”

• LAN Ports: Four (4) 10/100 Mbps auto-sensing, RJ-45 ports
• Wireless Interfaces: WLAN built-in 802.11g and mobile broadband access with UMTS TD-CDMA
• Security: Firewall: Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) to prevent Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. Intrusion Detection System (IDS) including logging, reporting, and e-mail alerts, web URL content filtering. VPN Functionality: VPN pass-through (IPSec, PPTP, and L2TP)

IPWireless uses Time division CDMA, a 3GPP-based technology. UMTS TD-CDMA is a mobile broadband solution designed for GSM operators. Only one channel (rather than a cellular pair) is required.

Access points with built-in wireless backhaul are also available from Linksys, NETGEAR, D-Link, Ctek Skyrouter 4100, Entree Box, Junxion Box, StompBox, Kyocera’s KR1, Omniway, Possio PX40 Wireless Router and GlobeSurfer 3G.

Cellular News, Corporate News, EV-DO/HSDPA, IEEE Standards, Wi-Fi News | 1 Comment »

The Google Transit Trip Planner launched last week with up-to-the-minute arrival and departure times for buses, streetcars and light rail. It also features fares for each trip and estimates what it would cost if users drove instead, using the Internal Revenue Service’s allowable deduction of 40.5 cents per mile over suggested travel routes.

Google Transit so far only has one city; Portland, Oregon, but others are expected to follow soon.

According to the Oregonian, Google chose to start with Portland because TriMet already collects a lot of information about routes and its vehicles’ locations, and was happy to share.

“The combination of great people and great data made Tri-Met the ideal partner,” Google project manager Avichal Garg wrote on the company’s blog.

PortlandTransport.com has a Transit Surfer, another take at an improved mobile user interface using TriMet’s real time arrival data. TriMet already has a PDA interface and one for WAP phones.

Much of what Google Transit reports is already available directly from TriMet’s own Web site. TriMet uses Orbicomm’s GPS gear installed on vehicles to report exactly when they will arrive at each stop, and it makes that live information available on the Web or by phone.

According to the Oregonian, the routes Google recommends are sometimes longer, less convenient and more expensive than those suggested by TriMet.

Bibiana McHugh, a TriMet manager, suggested Thursday that riders not rely on Google Transit to plan their trips until that site improves. [TriMet has its own Trip Planner]. But she said Google’s work — and efforts by other Web developers, such as Seattle’s busmonster.com — are valuable because they offer detailed maps and a standard format that make it easy for out-of-town travelers to navigate a new city’s transit system.

Seattle’s busmonster.com was developed by the Intelligent Transportation Systems Research Program at the University of Washington.

The late Dr. Ivan A. Getting, the founding president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation is generally considered the father of the GPS system.

Tri-Met uses OrbiComm’s intergrated GPS system to monitor bus locations from a centralized command center at Ruby Junction. Location information is relayed using their own radio system. The Portland Streetcar uses a GPS system from Nextbus which relays location information over cellular CDPD (Live Map). Both systems are often inaccurate due to blocked satellite signals - especially downtown.

Another reason for a WiFi city cloud.

Ekahau’s Wi-Fi Tag is a small active transmitter. Once attached to an asset or carried by a person the target can be accurately tracked with the Ekahau RTLS platform. AeroScout has a Tamper-Proof Wi-Fi Active RFID Tag.

RFID is used to improve the hauling of Vancouver’s garbage. Houston’s chief technology officer, says their new parking meters will take credit cards and use a standard WiFi network connection to verify credit card information. In France, people use RFID-enabled prepaid cards to rent bicycles from 175 locations (left).

Related DailyWireless stories include; Father of GPS, Satellite Tracking, Electric Bike Tours, Unwiring Tri-Met, WiFi on Light Rail, Wi-Fi on Trains, Transit Wireless, On The Bus, Internet Rickshaw, Wireless Bird Houses, Wi-Fi Ferry, Mobile Hotspots, Unwiring Everything, Everywhere, WiLan’s Transit Wireless, Skyhook Location-WiFi to 70 Cities, Mapping Cloud Users, Google’s Location-Based Ads, SF Tries Free, Ad-driven WiFi, FreeSpot Guides, Kentucky Parks Get WiFi, Ad Supported Wireless Net, Revenue for the “Free” Cloud, Rebuilding Media, Cellular Ads, Gizmondo’s Handheld Ads, Free Mesh Clouds, Iowa’s Highway Free Spots, Washington State Unwires Parks (& History), Skyhook Locates by WiFi, Ad Supported FreeFi, Directional Advertising Grows, Wireless Advertising on Buses, Dayton’s Ad-Supported Cloud, Neighbornode and 360-degree Messaging.

GPS, Location Services, Transit Connectivity | No Comments »

Webnetic.net claims to have received what appears to be a Draft RFP for San Francisco’s Techconnect Wireless Internet Initiative, dated 12/8/05. View 30 pages (flickr.com). This apparent draft is not a proposal from one of the companies but is the city’s Request For Proposals.

Responses from San Francisco’s initial Request for Information are in. DailyWireless summarizes some of those. They’re also posted at the San Francisco TechConnect RFI/C site. The RFIs were received September 30, 2005. From the RFI, apparently, the city can go to the next step, an RFP, which it did.

Why would San Francisco want to keep the RFP for their TechConnect WiFi Cloud initiative under wraps? Perhaps because it was a draft. It’s a bit mysterious. Portland’s RFP was available to anyone. There are three companies on Portland’s shortlist; Earthlink, MetroFi and VeriLAN.

From the Webnetic.net site:

Since this is a draft RFP, the Community still has a chance to influence the process. Attend the hearings in San Francisco or Watch them Live online. Mon 12/12 1pm and Friday 12/16 2pm (PST GMT-8) details

There are many excellent ideas with San Francisco’s Techconnect and the concept of Ubiquitous Wireless Internet; Below are some of the issues that the Community has raised that may require additional Community discussion:

Interestingly, The document shows the City setting some harder standards and then striking them out and asking Open Ended Questions instead. Typically open ended questions are used in the nonbinding RFI/C to get information on how to set standards for the RFP. ACLU, EFF and EPIC West submitted a combined brief regarding privacy issues. (This has not been posted online by the City - unlike other briefs and comments).

What is the Business Model? Does the City own the Network?
Owned and Run privately, at no cost to the City (page 3 2.1a Business Model).

Is San Francisco seriously looking at a wireless solution that is disaster-proof for everyone (not just Public Safety), so that people can communicate if the power is out, phone lines are down, and cell towers overloaded (like what happened after 9/11 and Katrina)?
No. Even with reports in the Washington Post (Crisis Communications Remain Flawed 12/10/05), the City only asks two Open Ended Questions - (page 7 2.8h-i Network Infrastructure).

Can the Public see the Vendor proposals to provide input on them during the RFP due diligence period?
No. While San Francisco has a broad Open Government Sunshine Ordinance, the RFP attempts to assure Vendors that their submissions in Whole will be kept secret (page 17 Sunshine Ordinance).

This prevents Community input on what will soon be regarded as Public Infrastructure monopoly. While the RFI/C completed 11/8/05. The City continues to prevent release of these submissions as well.

Does it support Network Neutrality?
Unclear, depends on how you define it 1 2 Only one Network Operator, but Open Access to transport. It gives the Vendor access to City light poles, power and buildings for what some characterize as a defacto monopoly (page 3 2.1a Business Model)

From an initial perusal of the document - it reads more like a ‘window dressing’ RFP rather than a serious attempt at a standard RFP process. Allegations that a backroom deal happened before even the RFI/C process started seem to still be worth considering.

Related DailyWireless articles include; Philly Chooses Earthlink, Philly Picks TWO Winners, Google: Free City-Wide WiFi, Google’s Location-Based Ads, GoogleNet?, Unwired Portland & PTP Meetup, Unwired Portland Attendee List, Unwired Portland Meetup, Portland Cloud RFP, Portland Cloud Meeting, Portland Approves Wireless Cloud RFP, Portland’s Free Cloud, Skypilot Meshes WiMax, Belair Ships Small Mesh AP, Belair + PacketHop, The Wireless Athens Cloud, Mesh Standards?, Taipei’s Mesh Cloud, Scaling City-wide Mesh, NASA/Nortel Mesh Shuttle Coverage, Securing the Cloud, Canadian WiMax Network, Intel WiMax Basestation, Cable vs Digital Cities: Championship Fight, City Clouds Save Money, Portland Cloud Updater, Portland Wireless Cloud Announced, Proxim’s 700 Mile Cloud, Fred Ziari’s 700 Mile Cloud, NYC Public WiFi, Minneapolis WiFi Cloud, Living Under A Cloud, by Nigel Ballard, Duopoly Laws, Heartland Says The World Is Round, DailyWireless Testifies for Muni Broadband, Philly’s Fight, Verizon Blocking Philly Cloud?, the Philadelphia Cloud, Low Income Housing Connection, Digital Divide Solutions, SBC Fiber Plans, Taipei Unwired, 700 MHz in Portland, Unwired Countries, and the DailyWireless City Cloud Report

Municipal Wireless | No Comments »

WiMAX equipment maker Airspan has tied up with iDirect, a provider of bidirectional satellite systems, to provde broadband connectivity for satellite viewers.

Airspan has joined privately held iDirect’s IP Alliance program after undergoing interoperability testing. Its AS.MAX product line will be used in conjunction with iDirect’s satellite routing system to deliver broadband IP service to areas where terrestrial connections are unavailable or too costly.

John Kealey, CEO of iDirect Technologies, said: “The iDirect remote satellite router’s ability to deliver speeds up to 18Mbps, combined with iDirect’s support for real time applications like voice and video, allow us to deliver broadband connectivity that matches the quality and performance of digital terrestrial circuits.

Global Edge Connect combines an advanced two-way IP-based broadband satellite networking solution with the flexibility of wireless last mile access. By integrating Pronto Networks’ OSS, the solution provides network configuration, authentication, access control, and security, as well as a billing system supporting pre-paid, post-paid and roaming settlement

WiNetworks announced today the availability of a WiMAX-based solution for DBS satellite operators to provide two-way broadband service. WiNetworks claims their solution will enable providers to offer Triple Play (voice, video, and data) services.

Other hybrid DBS/WiMax solutions are being proposed:

• WiNetworks’ Hybrid WiMAX DVB (HWDV) technology allows DBS Operators to leverage their customer premise infrastructure (e.g. dish, existing coax wiring, existing STB, etc.) to deploy a WiMAX network at a low cost with a fully integrated triple-play bundle. IP video content is delivered through the WiMAX connection, and a Hybrid WiMAX DVB technology converts it into the DVB format and delivers it to the existing set-top-box for customer viewing.It is said to seamlessly integrate with existing Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), Set-top boxes and headend platforms. They are working with NDS, the leading provider of secure solutions for digital pay-TV. WiNetworks is using the Intel WiMax chip for the ‘last mile’ solution.
• Alvarion and DirecTV are distancing themselves from reportsthat the two companies are in negotiations over the possibility of providing WiMax to subscribers.“We are exploring WiMax opportunities, but we are not in negotiations,” Bob Marsocci, DirecTV’s Vice President of Communications, tells Wi-Fi Planet.

  In 2004, DirecTV axed its DSL service. Now the satellite service’s lone broadband option is via DirecWay, which is satellite-based. Spaceway 3, a 2-way Ka band service, won’t be up until 2007. Meanwhile new subscribers are down 45 percent compared to the same time last year, according to the CEO.

  Maybe at January’s CES.

In other satellite news, Inmarsat is now offering their global broadband service for mobile devices. BGANis the world’s first mobile communications service to provide both voice and broadband data simultaneously through a truly portable device on a global basis. It is also the first to offer guaranteed IP data rates on demand.

Following the successful launch of Inmarsat’s second I-4 satellite, November 8, network coverage will be extended to North and South America from Q2, 2006.

The two I-4 satellites will deliver seamless broadband coverage across 85 per cent of the world’s landmass and be available to 98 per cent of the world’s population.

BGAN offers IP data speeds of up to 492kbps, with the option of guaranteed data rates up to 256kbps. The service is accessed through a range of lightweight satellite terminals - the smallest is about half the size of a laptop. BGAN terminals can be connected to wired or wireless connections, including Bluetooth and WLAN 802.11b. Truly global service won’t be available until F3 is launched covering the Pacific.

Two satellites claim to be the first to use laser intersatellite links from different orbits. The laser link took place on Friday.

One, satellite, a Japanese mission called Kirari (Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite), flies at an altitude of 610 kilometres, in low-Earth orbit. The other, a European satellite called ARTEMIS (Advanced Relay and Technology Mission), soars 36,000 kilometres above Earth in geostationary orbit.

Pointing and maintaining a laser connection between the two satellites is difficult because they can be as much as 45,000 kilometres apart and are moving at a relative speed of several kilometres per second.

Space & Satellites, WiMAX News | No Comments »

Both houses of Congress have passed digital television (DTV) bills as part of budget legislation.

Below is a comparison of the bills from the Benton Foundaton. Representatives from both chambers are now going to conference to iron out the differences in these bills.

The bills aim to end analog TV broadcasts in 2009, auction off returned analog TV spectrum in the same year and earmark those revenues for deficit reduction and other purposes.

For more detail about both bills, see Digital Television Transition Legislation House and Senate Bills Go to Conference (DOC).

Attachment: DTV Transition Legislation Comparison.doc (49.5 KB)

For all the latest news check out Lee Wood’s HDTV Magazine which has provided the definitive Daily DTV News Resource for years. Lee Wood is a highly regarded chief engineer at Portland’s KOIN-TV.

Broadcasting & Cable | No Comments »

Location Services, Public Service | No Comments »

Posting on DailyWireless has been light yesterday and today. Your editor is nursing a flu bug, knocking himself out with hot toddies and All Classical All the Time. It could be worse.

The Avian Flu Blog points out the $675 billion price tag of a worst-case scenario. Home care will be key. The Google Maps Blog reports on an outbreak map (opens Google Earth app).

Portland’s Connect & Protect program (above) is now a large conglomeration of overlapping alerts stretching across nine Oregon counties. Each stream of warnings is controlled by the agency that issues it.

Applications, Commentary, Public Service | No Comments »

Members of the Intel-led WiMedia Alliance said Thursday that the ECMA standards group has certified their implementation of ultrawideband technology. WiMedia members will also attempt to shut down the rival IEEE working group, which has remained deadlocked for over two years. The UWB fight began in the IEEE 802.15 Task Group 3a, charged with creating a standard for a high data rate wireless personal area networks (WPAN) using ultrawideband (UWB).

The WiMedia Alliance was formed by merging the Multi-Band OFDM Alliance and the WiMedia Alliance. Ultra Wideband (UWB) is a cable replacement, designed for short distance (10-30 feet), high-speed wireless connectivity.

The European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) has made efforts to expand its reach into a standards facilitator of sorts. While WiMedia executives positioned the announcement as a standards win, ECMA will also be using its clout to fast-track a similar proposal within the Independent Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The importance of a unified UWB standard of any stripe remains unclear. In the Wi-Fi market, for example, companies such as Airgo have announced chipsets to enable products based on pre-802.11n technology, even after the Wi-Fi Alliance cracked down on using the 802.11n label until the products were actually approved.

However, Stephen Wood, a chief technologist for Intel, told a small group of reporters Tuesday that the ECMA announcement allows the industry to stop vacillating on the technical direction of UWB and move the market forward.

“It will simplify life for consumers, and offer a clear direction on where the market is intending to go,” he said. “I think the market will grow faster and more strongly.”

An ISO standard is expected to be in place within six months.

WiMedia-based UWB specifications have been architected and optimized for wireless personal- area networks delivering high-speed (480Mbps and beyond), low-power multimedia capabilities for the PC, CE, mobile and automotive market segments. WiQuest claims its latest UWB chips can top a gigabit per second. The WiQuest chip doesn’t conform to any current UWB standard, however.

Meanwhile, another standard, high speed WiFi (802.11n) is also undergoing political machinations.

Intel convinced Broadcom, Atheros and Marvell to join forces outside of the IEEE to develop an interoperable physical and media access control (MAC) layer scheduled to be presented for IEEE acceptance.

The omission of Airgo Networks from the alliance merging WWiSE and TGnSynch for a high speed 802.11 “N” standard has also fueled accusations that the alliance is trying to offset Airgo’s competitive advantage.
By working independently of the IEEE’s 802.11n next-generation task group, Intel angered many task group members who accuse the Intel-led alliance of co-opting the IEEE process.

Related DailyWireless articles include; UWB Overview, UWB in the Chips, MultiBand UWB Chip Gets FCC Approval, Wireless USB 1.0, UWB Range Doubles, UWB Organizations Merging?, Alereon Gets UWB Recognition, UWB RF-ID, Wireless USB Comes Home, and Microsoft Joins UWB Battle.

UltraWideBand | No Comments »

Today Sputnik announced a bagfull of goodies includng the Sputnik Server 1100, a server appliance, new firmware for the new Linksys WRT54GL, and a higher-powered versions of their outdoor access points, the Sputnik AP 210 and Sputnik AP 260 Dual Radio.

The Sputnik Server 1100 a high-performance, ready-to-rack 1U server appliance pre-loaded with Sputnik Control Center Software, ten access point licenses, and your choice of one add-on software module. Out of the box, the Sputnik Server 1100 enables you to manage ten Sputnik-Powered APs over the Internet.

The Sputnik Server 1100 is for customers who want the power of Sputnik Control Center but don’t want to manage Linux. Instead, you control everything through Sputnik Control Center’s easy-to-use web interface.

When you’re ready to add more APs to your network you purchase additional AP licenses and you’re good to go. The Sputnik AP 1100 has the horsepower to manage a very active network of 100 APs or more, or approximately 5,000 simultaneous online end-users. The price is $2,699 and is available now.

Sputnik Agent firmware for the Linksys WRT54GL features;

• Sputnik management support for best-selling Linksys routers (WRT54G, GL, and GS)
• Sputnik Agent firmware is a free download
• Pre-flashed Linksys routers are now available from Sputnik’s online store
• Sputnik-Powered Linksys WRT54GL is $99, the WRT54GS version is $109.

The Sputnik AP 210 and Sputnik AP 260 Dual Radio APs provide up to 285 mWatt transmit output power for long range Wi-Fi (AP 210 has one radio, AP 260 has two). It features:

• Ruggedized, weatherproof, tamper-resistant for indoor or outdoor deployment
• wireless client isolation for security on public Wi-Fi networks
• built-in RSSI signal strength indicator for optimizing antenna placement
• price: $279 for the AP 210, $399 for the AP 260

The Sputnik Control Center software enables you to centrally manage and control Wi-Fi networks of most any size.

The secure web-based interface can remotely configure APs, create custom branded captive portal pages, track usage, enforce network policies, generate reports, and bill for access.

A flexible design lets you run free or paid hotspots or hotzones. A single Sputnik Control Center server is capable of managing anywhere from one to hundreds of Sputnik-powered APs. It’s designed to run in your data center but Sputnik can host it for you with SputnikNet.

All of these products are available now.

Grass Roots Wireless, Municipal Wireless, Wi-Fi News | No Comments »

It’s done. A mobile WiMax standard has been approved by the IEEE.

Mobile WiMax (802.16e) was designed for city-wide metro area networks. It combines WiFi speeds with cellular range using the 2.3 Ghz, 2.5 Ghz, 3.5 Ghz (licensed) and 5.8 Ghz (unlicensed) bands. Beceem, a mobile WiMax chip developer says a mobile WiMax (OFDMA) network provides up to 35 percent better performance than a current-generation 3G network in similar frequencies and channel widths.

Mobile WiMax delivers more bits and has more options for handling bad connections than cellular’s latest - HSDPA or CDMA Rev A. It plugs into Ethernet - like WiFi. It supports roaming voice and high speed data - like cellular - in both licensed and unlicensed bands. Intel loves it.

The new Mobile WiMax standard will be published as 802.16e-2005, not 802.16-2005, which is reserved for a full revision of .16, something not forthcoming this year.

Approval by the IEEE’s Standards Board was expected since the 802.16e spec was finalized two months ago, but the formal announcement brings the advent of mobile broadband a significant step closer, explains CommsDesign. Om Malik and EE Times have more.

Mobile WiMax trials and certification testing are expected to start in the first quarter of 2006, organized by the WiMax Forum. Products will likely follow late 2006 and services by early 2007, says CommsDesign.

The formal announcement Wednesday (Dec. 7) brings to a close the work of a 802.16 Task Group and its project that began with the approval of the original 802.16e spec in December 2002.

Roger Marks, working group chairman, said:

“We projected completion in about 18 months. Actual development took about twice that long. Though we all would have preferred to stick closer to schedule, the reality is that the working group changed dramatically during those years.”

“I am proud of the fact that we addressed all of the resulting needs, continuing to harmonize and build consensus to ensure a result with broad support and broad applicability.”

Standardization of 802.16-2005 is vital. That’s because Mobile WiMax roams. Different transmitters must be able to communicate with different receivers. Fixed gear doesn’t have those issues.

The key difference between the fixed and mobile WiMax standards is a more-efficient S-OFDM modulation sceme. S-OFDMA (Scalable orthogonal frequency division Multiple Access) can assign a subset of sub-carriers to individual users. By using different subcarriers multiple people can connect at the same time on the same frequency without interference.

The number of subcarriers can be adjusted dynamically adjusting for different bandwidths and conditions. For weaker indoor reception, a Mobile WiMax client might ratchet down automatically, using fewer (but stronger) subcarriers with rugged QPSK modulation.

The Korean WiBro standard was largely developed around SOFDMA. The IEEE believed the advantages of Scalable carriers and subchannels were so compelling they adopted it despite the fact that it “broke” compatiblity with the original 802.16-2004 standard.

Wavesat’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Jonathan Labs will oversee 802.16e compatibility with 802.16-2004 deployments. The 802.16e OFDM Evolutionary Taskgroup is addressing compatibilty with 802.16-2004 via subchannelization and support for a gradual shift to 802.16e.

Supporters of 802.16-2004 believe the fixed standard will be sustained by laptop-based WiMAX cards, before 802.16e arrives.

Handoff was a challenge. Cellular-based standards have the advantage of many years experience in handoff. Mobile IP, with “slow” handoff, is fine for web-browsing but not enough for decent voice. Many services require the appearance of seamless connections (VoIP, VPNs, etc). Much of the complexity (and latency) on cellular networks is from maintaining these connections across cell boundaries.

A better link margin, support for mobility, improved indoor coverage, flexible management of spectrum resources, and a wider range of terminal form factors are some of the advantages offered by 802.16e over the earlier fixed 802.16-2004 (pdf tutorial).

A WiMAX Forum White Paper says adding subchannelisation, MIMO and beam forming to a base station could increase coverage from 2km to 9km, a twenty-fold increase in coverage and subscribers. Consequently, most operators are expected to “standardize” on Mobile WiMax, despite its extra cost and complexity.

Vendors are expected to begin embedding WiMAX chips directly into laptops in a couple of years. Sequans and Telecis plan mobilized WiFi/WiMax chipsets next year.

The WiMAX Forum has not yet announced the frequency bands for the 802.16e profiles, but 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz are the most likely initial candidates. Certification is expected to start in the middle of 2006 when the certification labs open, with the first certified products available in the first quarter of 2007.

The link budget defines cell phone range. In general terms, cell tower capacity of 100 simultaneous users must install more towers to increase capacity. WiMax, with 10 times the capacity of 2.4 Mbs cellular, needs fewer towers for data-intensive applications or in dense urban settings.

Cellular companies often occupy paired 10 Mhz PCS spectrum (at 1.9 Ghz) using sector channels that are 1.25 or 5 MHz wide. Sprint, on the other hand, may use Mobile WiMax on simplex 10 MHz sectors (at 2.5Ghz). Clearwire and BellSouth could offer (limited) competition to Sprint in the United States. The unlicensed bands are unlikely to be big factor in Mobile WiMax (until gear gets cheaper) due to range limitations. IP-based WiMax gear will likely be cheaper than cellular equipment and easier to setup (with Ethernet).

While it’s just speculation, the real revolution may happen in 3-5 years. That’s when $200-$500 WiMax access points, using the unlicensed 5 Ghz band, could be in electronic superstores. “Pre-certified” gear could arrive sooner - perhaps a year or two - if history is any indication.

WiMax is not just a good idea — it’s the law. Phone and cable companies can now lock out competing ISPs like Earthlink. Telcos now want to “priortize” access to websites. WiMax provides (some) competition for ISPs who would otherwise be shut out and shut down.

Mobile WiMax (802.16e) is on the move:

• BellSouth and Navini are providing Pre-WiMax In Athens GA as well as New Orleans and other citys in the Gulf Coast. They’ll use Navini’s Ripwave-MX dual-mode CPE, which starts shipping in Q4 2005, and the Ripwave-MX dual-mode PCMCIA card targeted for 1Q 2006, will both be software upgradeable to Navini’s 802.16e system. Navini’s Ripwave products run in the unlicensed 2.4GHz ISM band, or the licensed 2.3 GHz WCS, 2.5/2.6 GHz ITFS/MMDS, and 3.4/3.5 GHz WLL bands.
• MegaBroadband of Massachusetts launched the first commercial use of the 2.3GHz WCS spectrum in the U.S. using technology from Navini. They are partnering with BalRivgam, a WCS developer who is providing the spectrum. The initial network, located in Bristol County, Mass., will support up to 3,000 users. They plan to serve more than 10,000 users within 2 years.
• SK Telecom and Korea Telecom (KT) have 2.3 GHz WiBro licenses thoughout South Korea and plan to launch it next year. They’ll be implementing Videocell Services next year and their mobilied version of WiMax (Wi-Bro). South Korea’s wireless broadband project is expected to cost $784 million to $900 million and provide ubiquitous broadband wireless throughout the country.
• InfiNet Wireless selected the picoChip WiMAX solutions for its 802.16d and 802.16e WiMAX system designs. InfiNet, a leading vendor of Broadband Wireless Access equipment in Russia and Eastern Europe has supplied pre-WiMAX gear for more than 300 carrier-class wireless networks throughout the world.

  System bandwidth (MHz)

  1.25

  2.5

  5

  10

  20

  * variable set only
  ** FFT size of 256 is not supported

• Croatia has awarded 10 fixed line broadband wireless licenses for WiMAX in 3.5GHz, with WiMAX Telecom, one of the most progressive start-up operators in Europe, gaining a license for certain regions to add to its existing holdings in Austria and Slovakia.
• Nortel Networks will build a commercial WiMax network in Alberta covering approximately 5 million acres in southeastern Alberta – using IEEE 802.16-2004 (pdf tutorial), the fixed WiMAX, standard. The WiMAX network will operate in the 3.5GHz spectrum band and be made available to roughly 80 percent of Alberta Special Areas Board residents by the end of summer 2006. It also will extend the service area of the Alberta SuperNet Project, a provincial government initiative that brings affordable broadband services to approximately 4,200 government, health, library and educational facilities in 429 communities across Alberta.
Data Rates Achieved at Various 802.16 Bandwidths
• Airspan Networks and Yozan have expanded their contract to build a WiMAX network in Tokyo by $5 million, bringing the total contract size to $16.7 million (pdf). The project uses Airspan’s software-upgradeable radio technology using Airspan’s called MicroMAX-SDR, based on the PicoChip array. Airspan and Yozan announced plans to build a Tokyo-wide WiMAX network this March. It will enable mobilized voice, video, and broadband data services using Airspan’s software-upgradeable radio technology and will be upgraded to support 802.16e.
• Intel said it expects to be involved with WiMax trials in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines by year-end. “The trials of the technology are starting now, and we see (commercial) roll-out worldwide over the next two to three years,” said Sean Maloney, the head of Intel’s mobility unit. “But it’s patchy — some places will be faster than others.”

• NextNet Wireless, the supplier of gear for Clearwire, has NLOS Indoor, Outdoor and Mobile Subscriber Units (above). The mobile client (pdf) runs on 12 volts at 2300-2500, 2496-2690, 3300-3400, and 3400-3600 GHz. Clearwire plans to migrate to mobile WiMax, embedding it in a PCMCIA card by mid-2006, working with Intel.

TechDirt thinks it’s BS.

“Navini wins the award for the first to try to capitalize on this announcement by claiming they “lead” the mobile WiMax space. Navini, of course, wasn’t a WiMax supporter until last year when they switched camps, but they’re still offering their non-standard, proprietary wireless broadband and claiming it’s “pre-WiMax,” which somehow makes them a “leader.”

Navini says their Ripwave-MX dual-mode PCMCIA card, targeted for 1Q 2006, will both be software upgradeable to Navini’s 802.16e system. The card will be capable of switching between the current pre-WiMAX mode and 802.16e mode.

The Ripwave-MX Basestation, targeted for 1st half of 2006, will be software upgradeable to 802.16e and will continue to support the Smart Antenna functionality available from Navini today. Unwired Australia has 36,600 subscribers in Sydney while BellSouth has installations in the Gulf Coast and select Florida cities.
“WiMax was built for outdoor mobility,” said Paul Sergeant, director of marketing for WiMax at Motorola. “Wi-Fi wasn’t. The challenge we face going forward is getting WiMax into more devices; 2006 and 2007 will be the introduction and build-out years, and products will start shipping in volume in 2008 and 2009.”

Roger Marks, working group chairman, remarked in his announcement:

So, wherever on Earth you are, please join me in raising a glass
and sending out a virtual toast to the 802.16 family.
Konbe! Ganbei! Kampai!
L’Chaim! Belsalamati! Kippis! Skål! Sant !
Sl inte! Salute! Salud! Prost! Proost! Cheers!

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Conferences, IEEE Standards, Spectrum News, WiMAX Deployments, WiMAX News | 2 Comments »