Posted by Avi Telyas on Jul 19, 2009 in
WiMAX Bic Camera has recently announced participation in UQ WiMAX MVNO program. However, in a recent visit to Bic Camaera in Shin-Yokohama, I couldn’t find any reference to WiMAX, which made me investigate more into Bic Camer’a WiMAX offering on their website:
Bic Camera WiMAX Banner is at the bottom of the page, under Emobile, OCN and other promotions.
The plan details are fairly simple as they follow UQ WiMAX price plan, the UQ Flat at 4480 Yen per month. Additional 2835 Yen are required for registration (it still kills me to pay registration fees everywhere I go in Japan):
Now, this part is getting annoying. Bic Camera offer only one device (?!), the BDSS01, by Shinsei Corp, which I can just guess it is the same device used by UQ (UD01SS) with a different name and package. Device price is 12,800 Yen (!!!).
It doesn’t really feel like Bic Camera are pushing this device, no promotion, no benefits. I don’t see anyone interested in WiMAX getting it from Bic Camera, so why bother with the MVNO program?
Tags: Bic Camera, MVNO, Shinsei Corp, UQ WiMAX
Posted by Avi Telyas on Apr 14, 2009 in
WiMAX 
As I previously reported, UQ Communications’ Modacom devices were likely to support MAC OS; now it is official:
Both devices by Shinsei Corp (Modacom) now support MAC OS as well as Microsoft Windows:
UD01SS and UD02SS provide download links to Sofrware and Manual.
Update:
Screen captures of installation and Software are available here
via itmedia (JP)
Tags: Modacom, Shinsei Corp, UD01SS, UD02ss, UQ communications
Posted by Avi Telyas on Feb 14, 2009 in
Japan,
WiMAX As I reported in UQ Communications Data Cards and Chip Vendors , UQ Communications UD01SS is actually Korean Modacom‘s device, using GCT Semi chipset.
None of UQ Communications devices support MAC OS or Linux, which caused discontent in the Japanese technical community (Early Adopters and Apple Fans).
But when checking Modacom website for similar WiBRO devices, they do support MAC OS, which makes me think Shinsei Corporation or UQ Communications didn’t want to deal with the complexity of supporting Operating Systems other than Windows (XP, Vista) at this time.
Tags: GCT, Linux, MAC OS, Modacom, Shinsei Corp, UD01SS, UQ communications, WiMAX
Posted by Avi Telyas on Feb 9, 2009 in
Japan,
WiMAX 
In a previous post, I have reviewed the data cards and Chipsets used by UQ WiMAX trial. UQ and Japanese companies in general usually insist on certification. Therefore, I decided to check the certification status of the data cards.
NEC Access Technica certified both the PCMCIA card and USB in January.
As for Shinsei Corp, there is no certification as they rely on Modacom (the actual Korean manufacturer of the devices) . Modacom has also certified both the Express Card, and the USB.
Confusing a bit, is the fact that the Modacom Express Card Certification page shows a USB device. Someone has mixed up the images:
Tags: Modacom, NEC Access Technica, Shinsei Corp, UQ communications