Category: Business

Posted on

Alvarion Q1,09 report

Alvarion Logo

Alvarion released today their results for Q1, 09.

I don’t want to repeat the press release , but comment:

“We achieved results within the range of our guidance. This was attributable to a combination of revenue recognition related to earlier shipments and decisive steps to reduce operating expenses since shipments and order intake were below our expectations”

Everyone knows the trick of shipping equipment at the end of the quarter to get them recognized as revenues, but I am not sure what are the decisive steps that reduced operating expenses. Do you mean the lay-offs?

“However, we expect revenues in Q2 to be sequentially lower because we will have less revenue to recognize from shipments made during previous quarters compared to Q1”.

OK, saw that coming from the previous quote.

” we have an overall backlog of orders plus unrecognized revenue from prior shipments totaling over $100 million”

Nortel?

“we are well positioned to take market share from weak competitors”

Airspan?

Overall, quite good, isn’t it?

Posted on

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

Posted on

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.
Posted on

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?

Posted on

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).

Posted on

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

Posted on

Intel Sues Unwired Australia

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.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Alvarion's exposure to Nortel Bankruptcy

A week after Airspan published a warning , Alvarion is providing some information, financial and strategic impacts following Nortel’s bankruptcy.

  1. The strategic alliance and joint project are canceled
  2. Collection of payments for (1) are uncertain
  3. About $2.4 Million cannot be recognized for Q4, 2008.

Alvarion now expects a Q4 GAAP net loss of approximately ($4.9) million, or approximately ($0.08) per share, including a restructuring charge of approximately $3.4 million or $0.06 per share for the quarter, related to the cost reduction initiatives announced on December 8, 2008.

As for revenues:

“total revenues for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2008, are expected to be approximately $70 million, at the low end of the Company’s revenue guidance of $70 to $78 million”

Alvarion stock (NASDAQ: ALVR) went down yesterday 5.57% Before this press release.