The future of WiMax remains in doubt, as per remarks by analysts. Craig Mathias of research firm Farpoint Group said “there’s just no infrastructure supporting WiMAX today.” In addition, “converged Wi-Fi and cellular networks also give the best of both worlds.” Dave Park, BelAir Networks’ vice president of product development, believes the situation is a… Continue Reading
Category Archives: WiMAX
Mobile WiMax To Choke Out Fixed?
According to a new study by Juniper Research, Mobile WiMax subscribers will exceed 21 million by 2012, a great leap from next year’s estimate of 1.7 million. The analyst firm ascribed the trend to the growing preference for the technology over its fixed counterpart as well as the relative inexpensiveness of deploying mobile WiMax base… Continue Reading
WiMax Gaining Momentum In South Africa
iBurst revealed it is currently conducting commercial feasibility studies on WiMax in preparation for its planned deployment of the technology in South Africa by 2007. The wireless broadband provider said it has “applied for and been issued with WiMax spectrum by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).” Other similar companies like Telkom, Sentech,… Continue Reading
Softbank, Motorola Launch 2.5 GHz WiMax Trial In Japan
Motorola and Softbank Group are teaming up to install a WiMax trial network in Tokyo. Under the agreement, Motorola will supply the necessary equipment such as access points, an access network, and prototype WiMax mobile handheld devices while Softbank — a provider of mobile communications, fixed-line telecommunications and fixed-line broadband services to 26 million subscribers… Continue Reading
Asia Pacific Plugs Into WiMax
A new study by Instat indicates a growing interest in WiMax in Asia Pacific. According to the analyst firm, WiMax will become a $4.3 billion market in the region by 2011, a big leap from the 2006 level of $106.4 million. In-Stat analyst Victor Liu said “no Asia Pacific service provider can ignore WiMax …… Continue Reading
Intel Announces Mobile WiMax Chip
Intel has unveiled Rosedale II, the company’s first chip that supports mobile Wimax. The firm, according to Chris Beardsmore, Intel’s market development manager for Europe, will conduct commercial trials of the new silicon in Europe by the end of 2006. Beardsmore expects Rosedale II to expand the user base of Intel’s WiMax solutions. Beardsmore said:… Continue Reading
Russia To Put WiMax On Trial
Avalcom, a leading systems integrator in Russia, plans to undertake a massive trial of WiMax installations in the country over the next three months. The company will use Aperto Networks’ PacketMAX products including PacketMAX 5000 carrier class base station and the PacketMAX 100 CPE for its pilot projects in different regions in Russia. Participating in… Continue Reading
WiMax Spectrum Row Heats Up
The latest statement from the GSM Association did not sit well with WiMax supporters. The association is urging European Commission regulators to restrict the so-called 3G extension bands — particularly 2.5-2.690 GHz — to “the IMT-2000 family of technologies.” The plea ensued from proposals labeling certain bands as “technology neutral.” David Pringle of the GSM… Continue Reading
NZ Spectrum Debate Highlights WiMAX Regulatory Dilemma
The coming of WiMax seems to be creating a bit of debate in countries like New Zealand where regulators want to revoke licenses for valuable WiMax spectrum and re-auction it off, presumably for a great amount of profit. Companies who currently own the spectrum are crying foul as big companies will be the only ones… Continue Reading
Skyriver To Provide Wireless Connectivity For WiMAX Forum Conference
WiMAX Forum has named Skyriver Communications as the provider of wireless wide area network services for this week’s conference in San Diego, California. Brad Slavin, Vice President of Engineering for Skyriver Communications, said the company is pleased “to work with the WiMAX Forum to address their connectivity requirements in San Diego.” Slavin expressed confidence that… Continue Reading
WiMAX System Tuned For Use In 5.8GHz Unlicensed Band
Wavesat and Texas Instruments are teaming up to create a mini-PCI module and reference design to allow the use of WiMAX in the unlicensed 5.8GHz frequency band. The plan is to employ Wavesat’s Evolutive WiMAX DM256 chip and TI’s RF silicon for the platform. “Because 5.8GHz is an unlicensed frequency band, it can be rapidly… Continue Reading
Intel’s $600 Million WiMax Bet
Intel, with hopes of encouraging a nationwide service that equips notebook PCs for fast Internet access and Internet-based calling throughout the US, has invested $600 million in Clearwire. This is Intel’s second investment in the Kirkland (Wash.)-based wireless broadband provider, and a big boost for WiMax. WiMax technology is used to cover large areas with… Continue Reading
India Looks To Wireless Future
Analysts expect India to have 13 million WiMAX users by 2012, an increase of 11.5 million from the current number. According to Sridhar Pai, chief executive of Tonse Telecom, the country is set to become one of the world’s leading broadband wireless markets over the next six years. Pai ascribed the projected growth with the… Continue Reading
WiMAX In The UK. Here’s Why It Won’t Fly
Given the current conditions, WiMax is not likely to gain widespread adoption in the U.K. anytime soon. WiMax requires exclusive spectrum use but only a few companies, i.e., PCCW and Pipex, own a spectrum. These companies also do not have their own network that is needed to allow for both fixed and mobile use of… Continue Reading
Beware The WiMAX Cul-De-Sac
New Zealand is headed for a big set of problems with WiMax. The current spectrum allocations are being under-utilized, are small slices (7MHz), owned by telco incumbants that already have invested in 3G networks, and won’t be reallocated until 2010. This means that anyone wanting to compete using WiMax will have significant problems. This can’t… Continue Reading