WiMAX in Congo (DRC), or The Reason I Like WiMAX Technology

Alvarion has just released plans to deploy Mobile WiMAX in the DRC (Congo).

Not only good news for Alvarion ($4.5 Million contract), but better news for Congo and Africa. Although most Mobile WiMAX investments are seeking the Big Money of Tier 1 Deployments, I love to read a bout WiMAX deployments in Africa and other developing countries.

As much as I will enjoy using UQ Communications WiMAX network in Japan, WiMAX is the perfect technology for deploying Internet and Voice services in developing markets, in places where traditional telephony was never deployed.

Sequans Unveils New Mobile WiMAX Chipset- SQN1210

Sequans Communications has introduced it’s newset chip, the SQN1210 in Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress.

The SQN1210 supports in a single Dye:

  • WiMAX Baseband
  • Triple band RF – 2.3-2.4, 2.5-2.7, and 3.3-3.8 GHz bands
  • TDD and H-FDD Support (H-FDD is where the market is planning to move next)
  • 2 TX and Uplink MIMO
  • SDRAM

Sequans also claim the new chip has better power consumption and better performance. It is also reported that Zyxel has adopted the new chip and will use it in a tiny USB device.

Zyxel is working with Sequans for a long time, and is deploying CPEs in Sprint Network with the Sequans SQN1130.

UQ Communications Host Support – No Linux, No MAC

UQ Logo As I reported inĀ  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 supportingĀ  Operating Systems other than Windows (XP, Vista) at this time.

ud01ss

OKI WiMAX Product Portfolio

OKI, a Japanese Company apparently develop WiMAX systems.

Why “apparently”?

It does seem OKI have certified a USB device, but trying to understand their Product Portfolio can be a “bit” difficult.

OKI’s English WiMAX Page:

OKI WiMAX English

Now, one would say OKI do not plan to market their WiMAX Products outside Japan.

The Japanese page is not much better:

OKI WiMAX Japanese

UQ Communications MVNOs

UQ WiMAX Logo

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.

  • @nifty – one of the leading Japanese ISPs, announced today [JP] their plan to use UQ WiMAX network to provide data services to their customers.
  • Softbank Mobile – Did not commit to the MVNO plan, but it is being considered [JP]. According to the news report, Softbank Mobile are waiting for UQ trial results before they can make a decision.

Motorola is Hoping for Android and WiMAX Success

Motorola Android

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?

UQ Communications Data Cards and Chip Vendors

UQ USB

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).

UQ Communications and me

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).

UQ Kajigaya Service Area

Nortel Alvarion

Some more information on Nortel exiting Mobile WiMAX business can be found: unstrung, and here.

Nortel and Alvarion are comitted to their customers, but my question is: “Where is the money”?
If a customer already paid Nortel, how can Alvarion guarantee they are getting paid for the effort and equipment.