A Journey to the Levant
Softbank Mobile will start LTE trial in Mito City (Ibaraki Perfecture). Trial license is from Feb. 17 to Dec. 31 2009.
This is the first LTE field trial in Japan, and an important step for LTE internationally. It is not reported which vendors participate in the trial.
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.
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:
Now, one would say OKI do not plan to market their WiMAX Products outside Japan.
The Japanese page is not much better:
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:
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.
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).
KDDI just announced (Japanese) that the number of subscriptions to to the AU Box has reached 100,000 in two months. Reminder, the AU Box is a STB (Set Top Box) that can play DVDs, connect to Lismo Music and Video Shop as well as transfer content to Mobile devices.
This sounds very impressive, but considering the ridiculous price of about $3 per month is it hardly surprising. It will be more interesting to know how the KDDI AU box contributed to the Lismo business, how many Video/Music downloads came from AU Boxes in the past two months.
Some more information from the Japenese MIC (Internal affairs and Communications).
Share of Carriers in subscription for Cellular Phones and PHS:
Docomo still lead, while KDDI increase their market share.
As for LTE: KDDI, Docomo and Softbank already have LTE plans, so it seems the future competition in Japan will not be about Cellular Technology and Coverage, but for additional services (and marketing).
Softbank, while pursuing LTE technology and supposedly selected Huawei for trial, also prefers to deploy HSPA+ while waiting for the LTE market to mature and cost to be driven down.
