A Journey to the Levant
Published in Israeli The Marker [HE]: Israeli Start-Up Siano ‘s chip SMS1130 is powering Softabank Mobile’s 1seg (Japanese： ワンセグ) iPhone adapter.
This iPhone adapter is both a 1seg (ISDB-T) TV Tuner and a battery pack, on sale for 9,840 ¥.
Apple iPhone’s lacked this important feature, which is now a standard in most Japanese cellular phones. About 100$ is a bit expensive in my opinion, but I am not watching TV anyway.
UQ Communications business model has always been about MVNOs.
As UQ WiMAX trial beginns and deployment details start to unfold, MVNOs start to line-up.
VON reports that Motorola is hoping that WiMAX success and new Android bases smartphone will help the telecom giant getting out of the red.
The report also claims that:
The first handsets will debut in the fourth quarter, he (co-CEO Sanjay Jha) noted.
OK, it is time for me to do some thinking:
If first handsets will debut in the fourth quarter, when can we expect to see revenues?
As previously reported, UQ communications will start Mobile WiMAX trial on the 26th of February.
Since I am familiar with the WiMAX technology and Chipset vendors, I decided to research the devices to be used during the trial and Chipset vendors selected by UQ and it’s suppliers.
UQ has currently two suppliers:
1) Shinsei Corporation – Supplying the UD01SS USB and the UD02SS Express Card. Accoring to UQ website, these products are actually from a Korean company – Modacom. Modacom has a complete portfolio of devices for the Korean WiBRO network (WiBRO is almost identical to WiMAX). These devices use GCT WiMAX chipset. This screen capture displays device driver information, which clearly indicates GCT.
2) NEC Access Technica – Supplying the UD-01NA USB and UD-02NA PCMCIA Card type. NEC uses Beceem chipset.
Missing from the list are:
1) Samsung – which supplied the data cards to Sprint’s XOHM WiMAX deployment in Baltimore.
2) Sequans Communications – which power Zyxel’s CPE for the same Xohm deployment.
3) Intel – As Intel Capital invested in UQ, I am certain we will see Intel powered WiMAX laptop within a few months.
I cannot avoid mentioning the UQ connection manager, which in my opinion looks very similar to the KT connection Manager. (And I must admit that also Airspan’s MiMAX USB, which I developed, had the same look and feel).
I have just posted on Asiajin the latest news from UQ communications. As the company prepares for the launch in July, an extensive trail period is expected. I am trying to enroll as a “Monitor”(a trial participant), but the chances are slim.
Every time I encounter a WiMAX deployment, I immediately check coverage. As I happen to move to Kawasaki in about 3 weeks, I decided to check if I can get a WiMAX signal at home.
Map is attached, but I am afraid I cannot conclude from the resolution provided if our house is in the pink (there is coverage) or white (no WiMAX for me).
As we all know, Intel Capital invested in most major Mobile WiMAX deployments around the world (UQC in Japan, Clearwire in the US, DBD Germany… and more).
As it turns out Unwired (Australia)didn’t deploy Mobile WiMAX as planned and agreed. Intel Capital sues Unwired, or rather, the Group that recently acquired Unwired for $56 Millions.
According to this article, titled “Unwired fights $56 Million Payout”:
At the time, Intel agreed to take $37.5 million worth of convertible notes in the company in return for certain guarantees.
The agreement called for Unwired to build a national WiMax network that would provide Intel with a platform to market-test WiMax chips and equipment it had been developing.
My Conclusions:
1) Unwired will never deploy Mobile WiMAX!
2) Intel Capital should select partners more carefully. I don’t think this law suit will actually help Intel deploy Mobile WiMAX in Australia.
