Cisco are in the WiMAX business?

Since Cisco acquired Navini Network in October 2007, we haven’t heard much from them, nor can I remember a major Cisco deployment.

But here comes news from Malaysia:

Under the arrangement, Cisco will build and integrate YTLe’s WiMAX core network which includes the IP core, operating supports systems, billing systems, proactive network operating centre and interoperability testing labs to help YTLe quickly launch its services.

Anne Abraham, Cisco Services Malaysia country manager said Cisco will operate and supervise YTLe’s WiMAX system for three years before transferring the ­technology back to YTLe.

Not only Cisco will build the WiMAX network but will also OPERATE it for Three (3!) years. Can’t see how Cisco can make money out of this, but I guess there are reasons I am not aware of.

After Nortel, Alcatel-Lucent getting out of WiMAX , I am surprised Cisco are still in this business.

"Clear" Design and "Gear"

It seems Green is the new Black.

Clearwire “Clear” new Website is available with Covergae maps and Clear “Gear” shop. The dominant color in the design is Green, which is similar to 3GGP website, as I blogged 3GPP web Design.

Putting the design aside, Clear “Gear” shop offers several devices:

  • Clear USB Modem – for $49.99 (without tax), cheaper than Xohm’s $59.99
  • Clear modem (Motorola) – $5 a month (couldn’t find for how many months) compared to Xohm Zyxel modem $79.99
  • Voice ATA is from Linksys

Plans are here, with up to 4Mbps DL and 384Kbps UL. Couldn’t figure out what is the committed rate, which as a customer I will inquire and test regularly.

Xohm uses Samsung Base-stations and device from Samsung and Zyxel while Clear is almost solely Motorola. I am sure the next few months will be challening for the new Clear company as they merge. Are we going to see a mixed network of Base Statio and Devices or will “Clear” win over Xohm?

Disclaimer: I am no longer with Airspan networks; The opinions expressed in this post represent my own.

3GPP webpage design

Visited 3GPP webpage today and was surprised to see different design.

Don’t know exactly when it happend (I am sure in the last two months), but this new design is a big improvement from the old design. New colors (Green), informative and clear. I guess someone in the 3GPP understood LTE-WiMAX battle is not only about Technology, but also (or maybe mostly) Marketing.
LTE Logo

Alvarion Awarded a $6 Million WiMAX Contract by Costa Rica's ICE

Some more good news for Alvarion:

Today’s PR tells us that Alvarion received a $6 Million Mobile WiMAX contract from Costa Rica’s ICE.

These are great news for Alvarion, as their Mobile WiMAX solution gains more customers around the world. This PR is also inline with Alvarion’s efforts in the emerging markets and especially in South America. 

It is also my firm belief that regardless of Tier 1 deployment (Clear/Xohm or UQC) we will see more and more Mobile WiMAX deployments  in Africa and South America as DSL is not an option and HSPA/LTE solutions are not really required in the near future.  Mobile (Nomadic) WiMAX is the right solution for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA).

White Paper from Ericsson – HSPA Vs. WiMAX

Just received a white paper from Ericsson titled HSPA, the undisputed choice for Mobile Broadband. It is dated May, 2007, which in today’s standards is like reading History books. Therefore, the contens of this white paper is not that interesting to me. What is more interesting is the TIMING of re-issuing it.

Ericsson is the leader in HSPA technology and deployment, and will probably lead the LTE field as well. When Mobile Wimax Tier 1 deplyoment falter, it is time to convince the other to wait for LTE.

On Advanced PHS (XGP)

An interesting article on the differences between “Willcom WiMAX” and Mobile Wimax – Link.

The PHS MOU is the consrotium standartizing PHS, Advanced PHS (XGP), with a long list of participating companies. However, Willcom is today the only PHS provider in Japan with about 4.6 Million subscribers (I should write ONLY 4.6 Million subscribers).

It will be interesting to see what Willcom will deploy next year and will they be able grab a bigger market share.

Maybe one more thing about Advanced PHS:

Altair Semiconductors, a Israeli startup has already published they plan to supply Willcom with 4G (XGP) chipsets , and shortly after secured a $22 Million in series C funding .

Acca Networks – Mobile Broadband

Acca Networks was one of the operators who applied for the lucrative Japanese 2.5GHz WiMAX spectrum last year, but lost to UQ Communications and Willcom.

As it turns out Acca did not give up on their mobile broadband dreams, but instead of deploying their own Mobile WiMAX network, they are using NTT Docomo network for only data service.

Details are (in Japanese) in Acca Mobile website, offering two types of plan with 3 available devices:

1) USB type – from Anydata

2) CF type – from Nihon Denki (NEC)

3) USB type – from Huawei

WiMAX Operator ID Public listing

An observation on IEEE 802.16 Operator ID public listing. Mobile WiMAX (802.16e) requires a registration before actual deployment. Cost of registration is $1200.

The list currently has 36 entries, of which 30 are unique operators; sounds like a very small number regarding the WiMAX hype we have seen in the last two years.

Here is the list, but refer the online IEEE listing as it may change:

  1. Nextwave – not a real operator
  2. Clearwire corporation
  3. Société du Haut Débit (SHD) – Joint venture – SFR + Neuf Cegetel
  4. Sprint Nextel – Xohm brand is merging into Clearwire
  5. HDRR
  6. Moline Dispatch Publishing Company ????
  7. Pine Telephone Company Inc.
  8. UK Broadband
  9. Solectek
  10. WiMax Telecom AG
  11. Wi-Tribe Limited
  12. Axtel S.A.B. de C.V.
  13. MIRS Communications Ltd.
  14. Packet One Networks (M) Sdn Bhd
  15. Menatelecom
  16. UQ Communications Inc.
  17. SCARTEL Ltd.
  18. Monzoon Networks AG
  19. WorldMax Operations B.V.
  20. Etihad Atheeb Telecommunications
  21. VTR Banda Ancha (Chile) S.A.
  22. Globe Telecom
  23. “MMDS-Ukraine” LLC
  24. DBD Deutsche Breitband Dienste GmbH
  25. Freedom4 Ltd
  26. Linkem Spa
  27. Grid Net
  28. Mandarin WiMax Sicilia SpA
  29. Asiaspace WiMAX Sdn. Bhd.
  30. CTY Co., Ltd.

It does seem like many names are missing for this list, the question in why?

Later this week I will try to analyze the deployments of the above operators.