Novatel Wireless launches Ovation MC760 Micro Modem for EV-DO

Novatel Wireless Inc. announced the continued evolution of its USB product line with the introduction of the Ovation MC760 Micro Modem. The MC760 is the world’s smallest EV-DO Rev. A USB modem, weighing less than an ounce and measuring just over two inches long.

The MC760 supports all computing devices equipped with Type A USB ports, including most desktops, notebooks and PDAs, to provide instant mobile broadband access anywhere a cellular signal is available. With out of the box support for a variety of operating systems including Windows (Vista, XP, 2000), Mac and Linux, the MC760 enables users to surf the Internet, check email and access important business documents.
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HTC announces T8290 MAX 4G GSM/WiMAX handset for Scartel Yota in Russia

by Jeff Orr, Editor
Mobile Broadband News

HTC announced the dual-radio GSM/WiMAX T8290 handheld, dubbed “MAX 4G”, today. Rumors and photos surfaced last month of an HTC Windows Mobile device with a Russian user interface and claims of WiMAX support. Russian operator Scartel and HTC Corporation today announced the dual protocol handset as a featured device for its Yota mobile WiMAX service.

Voice calls over the cellular GSM service use a SIM card from a range of Russian network operators. When both callers are using the Yota WiMAX network, the call will automatically be routed as a VoIP session. The Yota phone service also supports unique business applications, allowing users to switch between English and Russian contact records while providing functionality such as call holding, conference calling and video calling using the VGA camera on the front of the device.
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iPhone 3G leads U.S. consumer mobile phone purchases in Q3′2008, finds NPD Group

According to research firm The NPD Group, Apple’s iPhone 3G surpassed the top-ranked Motorola RAZR as the leading handset purchased by adult consumers (NPD does not currently track corporate/enterprise handset purchases) in the U.S. in the third quarter (Q3) of 2008. RAZR had been ranked by NPD as the top-selling consumer handset for the past 12 quarters.

Even with stronger consumer sales of iPhone, and the mobile phone market’s normal seasonal uplift after Q2, domestic handset purchases by adult consumers declined 15 percent year over year in Q3 to 32 million units. Consumer handset sales revenue fell 10 percent to $2.9 billion, even as the average selling price (ASP) rose 6 percent to $88.

Top-selling handsets and mobile phone brands
“The displacement of the RAZR by the iPhone 3G represents a watershed shift in handset design from fashion to fashionable functionality,” said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis for NPD. “Four of the five best-selling handsets in the third quarter were optimized for messaging and other advanced Internet features.”

The top handset models in rank order, based on unit sales in Q3, were as follows:

1. Apple iPhone 3G
2. Motorola RAZR V3 (all models)
3. RIM Blackberry Curve (all models)
4. LG Rumor
5. LG enV2

Popular features
When it comes to the specific features that motivated U.S. consumers to purchase, 43 percent of handset buyers cited the need for a camera and 36 percent noted the ability to send and receive text messages. Mobile phones with a QWERTY keyboard experienced the greatest year-over-year rise in sales; 30 percent of handsets were sold with this feature in Q3 2008, versus just 11 percent the year prior. Also this quarter 83 percent of phones purchased were Bluetooth enabled (versus 72 percent last year), and nearly seven in 10 (68 percent) of phones purchased in Q3 were music enabled (versus 49 percent last year).

“A growing data divide continues in cellular handsets,” Rubin said. “Those who see the value in wireless Internet access are justifying the investment, whereas voice-centric users have little incentive to upgrade, which is obviously detrimental to operators who seek to sell data plans and media access services to their subscribers.”

Methodology: NPD compiles and analyzes mobile device sales data based on more than 150,000 completed online consumer research surveys each month. Surveys are based on a nationally balanced and demographically representative sample of U.S. adults. Results are projected to represent the entire population of U.S. consumers age 18 and older.

Casio unveils 830CA camera phone in Japan

Casio unveiled its 5.2M camera phone, model 830CA, featuring face detection and auto-focus functions, which will be available in Japan at the end of November via SoftBank.

The handset incorporates a 3″ display with 240×427 resolution, supports HSDPA, 1-Seg and a global roaming service. Color options include white, black, orange and gray. The unit measures 50×106.1×15mm and weighs 111g.
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Parade of WiMAX laptops for U.S. begins

Acer, ASUSTeK, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba announce notebook computer plans for mobile broadband.

by Jeff Orr, Editor
Mobile Broadband News

Five computer manufacturers announced the initial round of WiMAX-ready laptop computers. Through the addition of an expansion card designed by Intel, the machines are able to connect to the mobile WiMAX (802.16e-2005) services launched in the U.S. by mobile carrier Sprint. Acer, ASUSTeK, Lenovo and Toshiba timed their announcements with Sprint Nextel’s XOHM wireless network launch in Baltimore, Maryland. Dell announced its first lineup in August.
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ORR Technology Announces Mobile WiMAX Device Guide

ORR Technology, LLC today announced availability of its Mobile WiMAX Device Guide. The guide is the definitive source for announced and commercially available mobile WiMAX devices. Mobile WiMAX refers to products that conform to the IEEE 802.16e-2005 technical standard for mobile broadband access.

The Mobile WiMAX Device Guide is the first to provide network operators and ecosystem vendors with a comprehensive view of product announcements and specifications for mobile WiMAX devices. Developed through extensive industry experience, the Mobile WiMAX Device Guide includes the breadth of information to accurately portray the evolution of mobile broadband equipment.
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Over 160 million non-cellphone devices to offer mobile video by 2013, says In-Stat

The entry of a broad range of new mobile devices able to display video will have a profound effect on the mobile video market, reports research firm In-Stat. The reach of new device choices will provide more markets for mobile operators, mobile broadcasters, advertisers and other content owners, the high-tech market research firm says.

Even though cellphones and smartphones will remain the predominant method of viewing mobile video, over 160 million other devices that provide mobile video over networks now in exclusive use by cellphones will be sold in the next five years.
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CE Vendors Offering Internet Connectivity Must Get the Usage Model Right

The trend towards cramming ever more functions into mobile phones is forcing consumer electronics vendors to explore new capabilities in their devices in order to stay relevant to consumers in a “connected age.” Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) combining specialized functions (camera, media player, navigation etc.) with wireless Internet access seem likely to succeed and consumers increasingly expect their electronics to connect to the Internet. But makers of these products have only a window in which to build devices and business models that users will adopt.

“CE manufacturers try to stay relevant in the face of phones that perform multiple functions ‘well enough’,” says ABI Research director Kevin Burden. “Mobile Internet Devices promise to deliver that relevance, but consumers aren’t clamoring for these new devices yet. That means CE vendors must get the user experience and the economic model right from the start. If consumers are not hooked by a compelling experience right away, they’ll stick with what they’ve got.”
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Non-Handset mobile Internet devices to reach $90 billion in operator revenues by 2013

The mobile phone is by far the most common device used to connect to mobile networks. However, the number of non-handset mobile devices is set to grow dramatically. These category of products, termed ‘Mobile Internet Peripherals and Devices’ encompass products such as data cards, laptops, ultra-mobile PCs, game consoles, eBooks, digital signs, ATMs and host of other M2M applications. Sitting within all these devices is a wireless data module providing a connection to a wide-area network. ARCchart forecasts that unit shipment of these mobile data modules will grow from a base of 10 million in 2007 to 370 million units by 2013, representing a market value of $11 billion.

There are several factors driving the proliferation of these devices. “In their pursuit of higher ARPU, network operators have become a key driving force.” says Kaustubha Parkhi, ARCchart Senior Analyst, “Their willingness to subsidise the cost of devices such as data cards, laptops and UMPC is making them affordable to a wider base of consumers.” ARCchart estimates that the service revenue generated by operators from these products will hit $93 billion worldwide by 2013.
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Sprint announces XOHM WiMAX Broadband Service in Baltimore Maryland

A next-generation 4G wireless network based on mobile WiMAX technology debuted today in Baltimore, Maryland as Sprint officially launched XOHM mobile broadband commercial service in the first U.S. city.

“This is truly an historic day with the birth of a completely new Internet-based business model that alters the dynamics of the traditional telecom industry,”

explained Barry West, president of Sprint’s XOHM business unit. “Wireless consumers will experience WiMAX device and XOHM service innovation on multiple levels as the computer, Internet, telecom and consumer electronics industries converge to redefine wireless mobility.”
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Motorola releases Push-To-Talk for EV-DO rev.A

Motorola, Inc. today announced that it has released its next generation Push-To-Talk over Cellular (PoC) solution, optimized for CDMA 1x networks equipped with EV-DO Rev A data capability. This solution leverages the improved performance capabilities provided by the CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev A standard including higher speed data rates, low call set-up time latency and quality of service (QoS).

Motorola’s end-to-end Push-To-Talk over Cellular solution provides walkie-talkie like capability to mobile devices equipped with special PoC client software, connecting people to those they communicate with most. Both enterprise and personal users can connect directly with individuals or groups and quickly share information. Market research shows that customers would appreciate access to Push-To-Talk on a variety of mobile devices for use both at work and at play.
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REDtone launches WiMAX services in East Malaysia

Motorola announced today that REDtone has launched East Malaysia’s first WiMAX broadband services, powered by Motorola technology. The first phase of the WiMAX network covers Kota Kinabalu business district, enabling high speed Internet access as well as data applications for enterprises.

In an effort to expand its broadband services offerings in East Malaysia, REDtone decided to establish a new network using WiMAX technology. Motorola is working with REDtone to supply and deploy WiMAX 2.3 GHz equipment at base sites and install customer premises equipment (CPE) to provide broadband services in major business districts in the first phase of the plan.
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Sony Ericsson unveils T700 HSDPA thin-phone in England

Sony Ericsson unveiled its 10mm-thick luxury handset ‘T700′ in England. Adopting a 3.2M built-in camera and 2-inch LCD screen, the T700 supports HSDPA, Bluetooth connectivity, high-quality stereo speaker and 512MB memory. Measuring 48×104x10mm and weighing in at 78g, it is expected to be available in Q4′2008.
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Top Global launches TD-HSPA Mobile Router at the 2008 Olympics Games

by Jeff Orr, Editor
Mobile Broadband News

Top Global announced its Time Division High Speed Packet Access (TD-HSPA) Router was launched during the 2008 Olympics Games opening day. Top Global’s Mobile Routers were used to provide network connectivity to numerous bank ATMs, information and payment Kiosks in an effort to help to increase the efficiency, safety and convenience of the visiting dignitaries, volunteers and spectators during the Beijing Olympic Games.

Top Global developed and patented its MobileBridge platform, which serves as a gateway/router linking Third Generation (3G) Cellular network and Wi-Fi/LAN networks. Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) is a 3G mobile telecommunication standards being pursued in China. The national commercial trials of the TD-SCDMA network launched on April 1, 2008 and is expected to reach 60,000 users by the end of the year. TD-HSPA is the high speed data evolution of the TD-SCDMA, and can reach 2.8 Mbps peak speed. Multiple products from Top Global can support TD-HSPA including the MB8000, MB6800 and MB5000. Enterprises in China can get wireless Internet connectivity anywhere, at anytime within the coverage of a TD-HSPA network.
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Multi-Tech targets M2M applications with HSDPA embedded modem

Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. is now shipping a new embedded HSDPA modem for use by developers to add cellular wireless communications to products. The new SocketModem HSDPA offers standards-based tri-band UMTS/HSDPA cellular communications and is available in USB or serial interface versions that can match the requirements for adding cellular capability to new or legacy designs. The new SocketModem HSDPA is part of the company’s Universal Socket Connectivity family that shares a common design footprint and pin assignments.

“OEMs partner with Multi-Tech because we provide the M2M communication technologies needed for their designs allowing full concentration on their application expertise,” states Bill Chesney, Vice President of Sales for Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. “Our SocketModem HSDPA models are complete and approved modems so they can be implemented in designs to reduce a product’s time-to-market. The SocketModem HSDPA is yet another member of our family of embedded solutions that create communication-ready devices by integrating connectivity into a single universal socket design.”
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