Clearwire introduces Mobile WiMAX “Clear” service to Portland Oregon

Clearwire today officially transformed Portland into the fastest unwired city in the West, and home to one of the first 4G WiMAX wireless broadband services in the world, called Clear. With Clear, consumers and businesses can access the Internet wirelessly, at true broadband speeds ? at home, in the office, around the Portland metro area, and on the go.

“Today is a historic day for the evolution of mobile computing and communications services in Portland, and the U.S.,” said Benjamin G. Wolff, chief executive officer of Clearwire. “Clearwire is reinventing wireless by delivering an unmatched combination of Internet speed and mobility. We’re providing a valuable service designed to improve our customers’ productivity and make their lives more enjoyable, wherever they happen to be in our coverage area.”
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Sprint announces dual 3G/4G aircard from Franklin Wireless

Sprint announced it will make the first 3G/4G dual-mode device, the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300, which operates on both the Sprint 3G and 4G networks, available in US retail stores Dec. 21.

Sprint launched 4G in Baltimore in September and plans to launch in other markets across the country throughout 2009. The device will enable customers to experience high-speed Internet access, greater productivity and enhanced multimedia quality throughout 4G markets, and offer access to the existing Sprint 3G network virtually everywhere else. This is the first product available in the US to offer both 3G and 4G connectivity.
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IIJ Japan to offer HSDPA services

IIJ Group to Start High-Speed Mobile Data Communications Services for Its Consumer Internet Services ‘IIJmio’ and ‘hi-ho’

Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ), one of Japan’s leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions providers, and hi-ho Inc. (hi-ho, a consolidated subsidiary of IIJ), an Internet service provider for home users, today introduced a high-speed 7.2 Mbps mobile data communications service. This service, which utilizes a 3G/HSDPA(1) network, will be offered for their “IIJmio high-speed mobile/EM Service” and “hi-ho Mobile Course - EM7.2″ services.
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Clearwire and Sprint Nextel complete joint venture transaction and receive $3.2 billion infusion

Clearwire Corporation and Sprint Nextel Corporation announced today that they have completed the transaction to combine their next-generation wireless Internet businesses. With the closing, Sprint contributed all of its 2.5 GHz spectrum and its WiMAX-related assets, including its XOHM business, to Clearwire. In addition, Clearwire has received a $3.2 billion cash investment from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, Google and Bright House Networks.

The transaction with Sprint and the new cash investment were completed on the terms originally announced on May 7, 2008. The new company retains the name Clearwire and remains headquartered in Kirkland, Washington.

Motorola Deploys Its First WiMAX 802.16e Trial Network in Vietnam

Motorola, Inc. announced today that the company has deployed its first WiMAX trial network for Vietnam Datacommunications Company (VDC), a member company of the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the largest Internet service provider (ISP) in Vietnam. The network allows VDC to test next-generation wireless broadband services in major cities of Vietnam and reinforces Motorola’s leadership in deploying commercial and trial networks for WiMAX 802.16e technology worldwide.

The launch of the WiMAX service follows the signing of an agreement between Motorola and VDC to commence a technical and commercial WiMAX trial in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City last year. Under the agreement, Motorola will install WiMAX Diversity Access Points and more than 100 customer premises equipment (CPE) in the nation’s two largest cities.
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DigitalBridge Communications raises $16.5 million capital for continued business expansion

DigitalBridge Communications Corp. announced it has completed raising a total of $16.5 million of senior and subordinated debt along with additional capital from its existing equity investors. These funds provide the company with significant additional liquidity with which to continue to build the enterprise.

In addition to an investment by the company’s existing investor group of Paladin Capital Group, RedShift Ventures, CNF Investments and Novak Biddle Venture Partners, and an increase in the company’s senior bank facility with Comerica Bank, the company received an $8.5 million subordinated debt investment from BIA Digital Partners and Spring Capital Partners.
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CDG predicts CDMA2000 operators among first to deploy LTE and mobile WiMAX to complement 3G networks

The CDMA Development Group (CDG) today announced that CDMA operators will be among the first to complement their 3G networks with wider bandwidth OFDM-based technology solutions, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Mobile WiMAX, as the 3G CDMA2000 family of technologies continues its rapid growth. CDMA operators are well-positioned to build on the wireless data business models they have developed for CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, and their 3G voice, broadband and broadcast data services will serve as their core revenue generators as they deploy next-generation networks.

“3G is enabling new services that drive profitable wireless data business models, which will continue to be the foundation for operators even as OFDM-based technologies like LTE and Mobile WiMAX are deployed,” said Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDG. “Next-generation mobile broadband solutions will increase the value of existing 3G voice and data networks by interoperating with them to address distinct business needs.”
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U.S.: WiMAX is here, proclaims Sprint and Intel

by Jeff Orr, Editor
Mobile Broadband News

“It’s not slideware - WiMAX is here now,” said Sprint chief Dan Hesse as he addressed the crowd assembled in Baltimore, Maryland today for the formal launch of Sprint XOHM mobile broadband service. “It will take time to build it everywhere. Sprint will be launching 3G/4G multimode devices later this year for ubiquitous coverage.” What will people do with 4G services? “The killer application is video,” added Hesse. “And a lot of other great applications too. For example, public workers can pull down detailed, bandwidth-intensive architectural plans.”

Executives from Intel and the XOHM business spoke about the milestone and brought vendor and ecosystem partners on stage to be recognized during the event that culminated in the “ribbon cutting” of cables. The ritual signified the focus on delivering multi-megabit speeds to business and consumer customers without the restriction of location associated with DSL, cable and leased copper T1 lines.
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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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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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Samsung’s Q1 Ultra UMPCs Now Available with HSDPA and Vista Business

Samsung Electronics America announced today the availability of two new ultra mobile personal computers (UMPC). The Q1U-CMXP, a Q1 ultra mobile model with integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem and the Q1UP-V, a Q1 Ultra Premium featuring Vista Business, join Samsung’s current line of UMPC’s. The new models are available nationwide at a suggested list price of $1,499 for the Q1U-CMXP and $1,449 for the Q1UP-V.

The Q1U-CMXP connects with integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 10/100 BaseTX, and an integrated HSDPA 3G cellular modem supporting the AT&T Broadband Connect network. In addition, the model boasts the same specifications as the industry standard Q1 Ultra XP model launched in May of 2007.
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Ericsson expands Softbank Japan’s HSPA network

Ericsson has signed a frame agreement with Japanese operator, Softbank Mobile, to expand and upgrade its HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) network to increase capacity and enable even faster mobile broadband. With this contract, Ericsson will expand its business with Softbank by providing enhanced HSPA on new and existing base stations in the high traffic areas of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

The deal also includes an extension of the Ericsson circuit and packet switched networks, a field maintenance service and a full turnkey service for the rollout of new base stations.
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207 HSDPA networks in 89 countries, says GSA

More than 200 HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) systems worldwide have launched commercial mobile broadband services, according to the latest research published today by GSA, the Global mobile Suppliers Association.

The GSA survey: “HSPA Operator Commitments” confirms 207 HSDPA networks have launched in 89 countries. This compares with 126 commercial HSDPA networks in 63 countries reported by GSA 12 months previously.
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