Posts

Posted on

Docomo produces LTE chipset

This Press Release really is really confusing.

Docomo, as in “Japan Mobile Operator DoCoMo” has developed a MIMO LTE chip. I can understand why LG is doing so, but Docomo?

Do they really plan to sell the chips to Mobile phone manufactures?

I can only think of one reason, which is that Docomo wanted to push the LTE market. Developing a chipset was probably the best solution.

This excerpt is the perfect example of “Too much information”:

In the new chip, which is made with 65-nanometer processing, the circuits have been further optimized, particularly by eliminating redundant circuits for computationally complex processes such as MIMO-signal detection and error-correction decoding

Do I really care about the complexity of the process?

Posted on

UQ communication to offer WiFi Services

Today’s Press Release (Japanese) expose some new UQ plans:
WiFi services for the N700 Shinkansen service. According to the PR, the N700 train will get a 2Mbps coverage, and following that all 17 stations from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka will be covered as well (54Mbps).

Japan Railywas are one of UQ investors, so it is not surprising to hear that UQ will provide coverage to the train. It is surprising that they chose WiFi Coverage for the stations.

And a question that sprung to my mind: Does it mean that PC Cards/USB Dongles will be Dual mode (WiMAX/WiFi)?

Interesting! let’s wait and see.

N700 photo (taken by my wife):

N700 Logo

Posted on

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) downgraded

From Hold to Sell.

I don’t really disagree with the analysis, just found one sentence a bit amusing:

However, the company has not reacted to this and is still planning for a flattish 2009 infrastructure market

So, if Ericsson laid-off 10% of their staff their stock wouldn’t have been downgraded?

Posted on

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.

Posted on

"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.

Posted on

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

Posted on

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).

Posted on

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.