Month: September 2007

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KDDI Mobile WiMAX

These news are already old, but I was just too busy posting this entry.

KDDI has formed an alliance to bid for the lucrative 2.5GHz Mobile WiMAX license.
Named “Wireless Broadband Planning K.K” (WBPK), the company will receive an investment of 850 million YEN (~7 million dollars). I assume this is the only initial investment as it is obviously a small sum that is not even getting close to actual deployment (See sprint investment).

The group is comprised of KDDI, Intel, JR East, Kyocera, Daiwa, and Tokyo-Mitsubishi bank.

If you remember, the Japanese Ministry of communications (MIC) wanted to increase competition in the Japanese wireless industry. Therefore they do not allow the “big players” to own more than 33% of the companies that enter the 2.5GHz bid.
This link has the press conference slides. I may translate them at a later date.
If I have to bet, I guess DoCoMO (with ACCA) and KDDI (with this new consortium) will win the bid

disclaimer: This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. (I am working for a WiMAX equipment vendor).

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Ear cleaning

An ear cleaning shop .Forgot where I took this photo, I think in Yokohama.
The sign says:
Quick course – 10 minutes, 1000 YEN
Relax Course – 20 minutes, 2000 YEN
Ear Clean course – 30 minutes, 3000 YEN

img_3423.JPG

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MiMAX USB

Airspan just posted in their website a brochure and graphics of a WiMAX USB device, the MiMAX USB: http://www.airspan.com/products_wimax_custprem_mimax.aspx

Can’t write too much about it as I happen to be the Software Manager of this product.

disclaimer: This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. (I am working for a WiMAX equipment vendor).

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WiMAX World USA

About to attend WiMAX World USA. The event takes place in Chicago, Sept. 25-27th. I guess I will be busy during the day, but hopefully, I will be able to blog and explain why I am there. (Can’t do it right now).

disclaimer: This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. (I am working for a WiMAX equipment vendor).

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Dopplr SNS

Just signed up to Dopplr.
Still not sure how it will evolve. Currently it offers a very nice interface to share trips with fellow travelers, search for travelers from the “home city”, and more.

Gen Kanai  is inviting per requests. I can do the same 😉

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WiMAX heating up in Japan

A few months ago, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication announced that the 2.5GHz bid will not be granted to one of the top 3G operators (KDDI, DoCoMo, Softbank).

In a recent press release which was covered in all news sites: Forbes, Japan Times, Asahi and many other, DoCoMo has formed an alliance with Acca to bid for the License. Acca is a DSL provider that for some time now examines going into the WiMAX business as an evolution from the fixed to wireless. Acca’s WiMAX page is here. Acca’s WiMAX blog was here. (Closed recently).

The other big competitors are not lagging behind and already formed similar alliances:
1) KDDI with Kyocera (Willcom)
2) Softbank with eAccess

Applications for the bid start Sept. 10th, and ends Oct. 12th. It will be interesting to see who wins the license, and what the other companies will do as a response. Looks like everyone is interested in deploying WiMAX.

disclaimer: This is a personal blog. The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer. (I am working for a WiMAX equipment vendor).