Alcatel-Lucent gets WIMAX Certification

Paris, September 4, 2008 — Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) today announced that it has been awarded the WiMAX Forum Certified seal of approval for its WiMAX 802.16e Compact Base Station at 2.5GHz. This achievement further confirms Alcatel-Lucent’s leadership in WiMAX and its commitment to accelerate the development of a global and open WiMAX™ eco-system.

Alcatel-Lucent’s infrastructure portfolio is made up of products that strictly comply with the 802.16e-2005 standard (also called Rev-e), which supports fixed, nomadic and mobile services. The company’s “Open CPE Program” is helping to accelerate the availability of terminals by encompassing comprehensive interoperability testing programs with WiMAX chipset and end-user device suppliers.

This significant milestone is also the first step toward the certification of the company’s entire portfolio of WiMAX solutions already available in other licensed frequency bands and deployed in several networks worldwide, including some in commercial service today in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Alcatel-Lucent expects its 3.5GHz equipment to be WiMAX Forum Certified by end of 2008.

“Alcatel-Lucent is proud to receive the WiMAX Forum Certified designation, which acknowledges the development efforts we have made over the last four years,” said Karim El Naggar, Vice President and head of Alcatel-Lucent’s WiMAX activities. “Customers can be confident that Alcatel-Lucent’s WiMAX solution complies with the most stringent requirements of the standard and smoothly interoperates with any WiMAX Forum Certified device.”

Karim El Naggar pointed out that, unique in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent systematically guarantees strict alignment of features and compliance at 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5GHz, as part of its global mobile WiMAX™ strategy.He noted that with 30 commercial contracts and more than 70 trials around the world, ”Alcatel-Lucent is the undisputed leader in the WiMAX market,” he said.

Currently the WiMAX Forum has more than 530 member companies including service providers, regulators, equipment vendors, chip vendors and content providers. Alcatel-Lucent is a member of the WiMAX Forum board.

“The first series of Mobile WiMAX certifications by the WiMAX Forum represent a critical milestone for the WiMAX industry as it will further accelerate the availability of interoperable solutions and ensure widespread adoption and deployment of WiMAX technology and products,” said Ron Resnick, President of the WiMAX Forum. “Alcatel-Lucent is playing a key role in taking that important step with the WiMAX Forum, enabling the global WiMAX community to benefit from fully interoperable infrastructures and devices.”

To earn this certification, Alcatel-Lucent’s 802.16e WiMAX products underwent rigorous and extensive series of tests by the WiMAX Forum's lead certification laboratory partner, AT4 wireless, spanning protocol conformance, radio conformance and interoperability testing.

“Achieving Mobile WiMAX certification is the result of the teamwork between leading wireless companies and our lab people, the most experienced in WiMAX certification testing world-wide. That is why AT4 wireless would like to thank Alcatel-Lucent for its key contribution towards putting in place the necessary process and tools,” said Fernando E. Hardasmal, Deputy General Director at AT4 wireless.

In addition to being a board member of the WiMAX Forum, Alcatel-Lucent is a founding member of the Open Patent Alliance formed by key industry players to advance WIMAX 4G technology.

Nationwide Wireless Network

Sprint Nextel, Clearwire, Google, Intel, Comcast, and Time Warner have all come together under the name of Clearwire, in an effort to produce a nationwide wireless network. The deal is estimated to be approximately 14.5 billion dollars. The investment by the five strategic investors will be based on a target price of $20.00 per share of Clearwire's common stock, subject to a post-closing adjustment. This adjustment is based upon the trading prices of new Clearwire common stock on the NASDAQ Market over 15 randomly selected trading days during the 30-trading day period ending on the 90th day after the closing date. The price per share will be based upon the volume weighted average price on such days and is subject to a cap of $23.00 per share and a floor of $17.00 per share. In addition, Trilogy Equity Partners, led by wireless veteran John Stanton, will invest directly in the new Clearwire's common stock.

The deal, which has been approved by the boards of all companies involved, is expected to close during the fourth quarter. The company will apply for a Nasdaq listing under the ticker "CLWR."
The new company is looking for a US network deployment reaching 120 million to 140 million people by the end of 2010. Company officials said they'll need up to $2.3 billion more in funding by getting additional investors or borrowing. They also could simply shrink the size of the network.
The network is predicted at being so fast that it will deliver video and advertising as well as text and simple Web pages.

Benjamin G. Wolff, chief executive officer of Clearwire, said, "The combination of robust next-generation mobile WiMAX technology and nationwide spectrum that we believe is optimal for delivering mobile broadband services - coupled with substantial new financial resources, a team of experienced wireless industry veterans, and distribution and technology agreements with some of our nation's leading communications, technology and content companies - creates what I believe to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "

In addition to its investment in the venture, Google will integrate many of its online services with Sprint’s forthcoming WiMAX networks. The Mountain View, California-based search engine will become Sprint’s default mobile search provider, and Google Maps Mobile and YouTube accessibility will be offered on all new Sprint handsets.

"This exciting new venture enables Time Warner Cable to help shape the next generation of wireless services in ways that will complement and enhance our products and services," said Glenn Britt, Time Warner Cable's president and chief executive officer. "We're committed to giving our customers more control over how and where they can easily connect to what's important to them - entertainment, information, and each other. The agreements we're announcing today are a financially prudent way for us to add mobility to our offerings when our customers demand it."

Mobile WiMAX is a standards-based wireless broadband technology designed to operate multiple times faster than today's 3G wireless networks. With embedded WiMAX chipsets in laptops, phones, PDAs, mobile Internet devices and consumer electronic equipment, mobile WiMAX technology is expected to allow users to wirelessly access a range of multimedia applications, such as live videoconferencing, recorded video, games, large data files and more - anywhere in the network coverage area.

Watch here the full story from Reporter Abby Prince.

Source WebProNews

Telsima's 50km broadband Internet connection at 450MHz

Telsima Corporation announced that is has successfully demonstrated a 50km (30mile) high capacity broadband connection using its Sub-GHz WiMAX system in a 3 MHz channel under near line of sight conditions in the 450 MHz frequency band. Telsima’s Sub-GHz solution is able to accommodate any carrier frequency from 400MHz to 1000MHz, enabling operators to rapidly deploy a tunable solution to suit their allocated frequency band.

The tests, conducted under over a period of several days in the months of February and March of 2008 in Slovenia, stimulated significant commercial interest for using 450MHz and other sub-GHz frequencies carrier grade frequency bands. The base station was located at Vir Domžale silos with a vertically polarized antenna with 10.15 dBi gain. The subscriber station, using a Yagi antenna with a 10.65 dBi gain, was installed in a car that drove across terrain that included dense foliage and wooded hills. At a distance of 50 km, at Javornik, the WiMAX system communication link yielded excellent results; modulating at 64QAM in the downlink and 16QAM in the uplink; providing over 6Mbps throughput over the wireless link.

Wolfgang Mack, CMO Telsima commented, “Compared to higher frequency systems, the Sub-GHz solutions are technically and economically suited for covering large areas where the foliage is dense and the terrain does not allow for line of sight communications between the subscriber station and base station. We are very optimistic in our Sub-GHz solution’s capability to address the needs of high coverage, low density markets with high modulation rate capacity”.

Burcak Beser, CTO Telsima, explains, “These lower frequencies perform better in wooded and hilly environments because of their superior wave propagation characteristics enabling large sectors and wave diffraction around interfering objects such as hills and buildings. Rural areas in global markets, where the subscriber density is lower, are therefore more efficiently served using these sub-GHz frequencies. Of particular significance of our system demonstration is the excellent connection quality; sustaining modulation rates of 64QAM in the downlink and 16QAM in the uplink in a WiMAX system configuration suitable for wireline replacement voice quality services.

Telsima’s 450/700 MHz solution includes Base Stations, Subscriber Stations, NMS and Service Provisioning. Telsima’s Sub-GHz systems are able to deliver Internet, Voice and Multimedia services over a wireless broadband connection to remote users where coverage is more important than initial system capacity. This solution was unveiled in December 2007 and is expected to be in commercial deployments in the second half of 2008.

Telsima’s mobile WiMAX product portfolio allows operators to offer mobile services, MIMO antenna diversity and ASN network control today while smoothly migrating to 802.16e-2005 and NWG ASN solutions once commercially available.

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133 Million WiMAX Users by 2012

The WiMAX Forum announced it projects more than 133 million WiMAX users globally by 2012. The forecast is based on the results of an independently commissioned research study to be published in April 2008. Additional data from the study estimates that approximately 70 percent of the forecasted WiMAX users by 2012 will utilize mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.

The report entitled, WiMAX Forum Worldwide Subscriber and User Forecasts, examines the progress of WiMAX service providers, equipment vendors, content developers and users in regions around the world. The preliminary results released at CTIA Wireless in Las Vegas reflect the accelerated growth of the WiMAX ecosystem, the acceptance of WiMAX technology and demand for mobile Internet services across the world.

"WiMAX is here now and is the catalyst in the global marketplace to grow demand for mobile broadband Internet access," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. "This new subscriber and user forecast is a solid proof point of the future growth of the thriving mobile Internet ecosystem and presents reasonable predictions of the positive progress our industry is working to achieve."

According to the study, a key driver of WiMAX subscriber and user growth will be the ambitious adoption of WiMAX technology in specific regions, including Asia Pacific and the Americas, where WiMAX technology is anticipated to be the leading technology selected to deliver broadband Internet access to a greater geography of these regional populations.

Further signifying the rapid growth of the WiMAX ecosystem, the first Mobile WiMAX Certified products are expected to achieve certification in Q2 2008. This milestone will foster additional growth for the more than 260 service providers deploying WiMAX services in 110 countries worldwide. The WiMAX Forum estimates that by 2011 there will be more than 1,000 Mobile WiMAX Forum Certified products found throughout the world.

Chrysler goes wireless

Chrysler will offer Wi-Fi Internet connectivity as a dealer-installed option on all models in the fourth quarter of 2008 and a blind-spot monitor as a factory option on its 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans.

Chrysler said the Wi-Fi and 4G (fourth-generation wireless) technology will allow Internet and e-mail access along with the ability to download movies and music to a vehicle. Chrysler said it plans to make the technology a factory-installed option at some point.

The radar-based blind-spot monitoring system for the minivans displays a visual warning in the sideview mirror when the vehicle is moving forward and another vehicle enters a blind spot. If a turn signal is activated, it sounds a warning. A "rear cross path" feature also offers alerts when the minivan's in reverse.

Ford will offer a similar system on some 2009s that works with its radar-based blind spot monitoring that will show the blind spot in secondary convex sections of the sideview mirrors.

Chrysler also is adding front-axle disconnect on all-wheel-drive versions of the 2009 300 and Dodge Charger to allow them to get better fuel economy from rear-wheel-drive.

Wireless08 21-22 May London

Wireless’08 is about delivering wirefree enterprise mobility and services. It brings together all the leading suppliers and expert speakers giving you an overview of the full breath of wireless solutions for your business whatever your chosen delivery platform is be it WiFi, WiMax, RFID, 3G, 4G.

Wireless08, now in its sixth year has an unprecedented track record of exhibitor and visitor growth, reflecting the demand for a dedicated enterprise mobility event. Wireless08 will deliver in excess of 4,000 technical and strategic decision-makers, all eager to discover how wireless can be put to work for their enterprise.

You can register here

Wireless signals up to 100km

Intel’s researchers have come up with a way to send Wi-Fi signals up to 60 miles (100km), while maintaining a usable throughput of up to 6.5Mbits/s.

According to MIT’s Technology Review, the system is known as the 'rural connectivity platform' (RCP) for the way it can, at relatively low cost, connect towns to out-of-the-way locations otherwise bypassed by new communication technologies.

This is to be more than a lab engineer’s daydream and has been field tested in India, Panama, Vietnam and South Africa.

The technology is innovative on a number of levels. It works using a point-to-point design, which automatically lowers cost to a quoted region of $500-$1,000 (£250-£500) for a single connection – way below rival systems such as cable broadband or satellite.

Once terminated at the remote location, the connectivity it provides could be distributed using off-the-shelf Wi-Fi hardware.

It is also low-power, using around five to six watts for a system with three radios in a link, making it possible to power it during the day from solar power or by battery during the night.

A lot of this is down to clever re-engineering of the software used by conventional Wi-Fi hardware to keep data acknowledgements to a minimum. This also has benefits for bandwidth because it shaves back-channel chatter in favour of sending and receiving usable data.

"Applying a TDMA modification to the MAC layer of standard 802.11, Intel RCP is able to achieve connection distances of up to 100km unobstructed line-of-sight," says one of the researchers. "Additionally, the relay and fork modes of operation allow for more complex topologies. So even if there are mountains or rough terrain, the connection between the base station and the rural end point can be maintained."

The main limitation on the system looks as if it is the number of obstructions and the curvature of the earth, hence the 100km limit.

Intel has a video demonstration of the system on the Intel Research Berkeley lab website.

The RCP, while hugely attractive to locations without connectivity, nevertheless looks like a low-bandwidth connection. Higher bandwidths and lower latencies would still need custom-designed wireless systems such as WiMax.

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BelAir Networks's wireless products for military applications

BelAir Networks, the leading provider of broadband wireless mesh networks, is delivering high-performance wireless mesh solutions for mission-critical Defense applications to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston (SSC Charleston). Two new products, the BelAir200D and BelAir100D Wireless Mesh Node for Defense Applications include 802.11n features and support for the 4.4 GHz frequency band.

The 4.4GHz to 5GHz band, with its wider bandwidth, is providing greater flexibility and security for communication systems. A major advantage is that commercially available radio systems based on WLAN and WiMAX technologies can be converted to this military-designated band, enabling a system to be developed and deployed quickly.

“SSC Charleston has extensive experience installing and testing communications systems in ships and at shore and the high performance, reliability and flexibility of the BelAir Networks wireless mesh gear has proven to be a great fit for their wireless requirements,” said Bernard Herscovich, President and CEO, BelAir Networks. “We’ve been honored to serve the needs of many military customers over the past few years and working with SSC Charleston has enabled us to accelerate the availability of the next generation of high-performance wireless mesh solutions for a broad range of Armed Forces applications.”

Building on its success in delivering high-performance wireless mesh solutions for both temporary Defense installations (including emergency, disaster recovery, and special events networks) and permanent networks, such as SSC Charleston’s Wireless Pier Connection Systems (WPCS), the integration of 802.11n features and support for the 4.4 GHz frequency band will further enhance BelAir’s unique fit for Defense applications. BelAir Networks wireless mesh nodes are also broadly deployed in civilian Port security applications providing high-performance networks for video surveillance cameras and chemical detection sensors.

Customized to address the needs of demanding Defense installations at home and abroad, the new BelAir200D and BelAir100D feature support for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology and other performance-enhancing features encompassed in 802.11.n. The products also support BelAir Networks new Military Radio Module (MRM) operating in the 4.4 GHz spectrum designated in the US and NATO countries for military fixed and mobile communications.

See more info here: BelAir

About BelAir Networks

BelAir Networks is the first company to offer scalable, mobile wireless broadband mesh networking solutions with the highest quality for data, voice and video. The company teams with world-class global partners to deploy proven, cost-effective wireless broadband mesh networks. BelAir’s wireless networking solutions are built on the only multi-service architecture for municipal wireless broadband deployments of Wi-Fi, WiMAX and 3G Cellular networks. Built specifically for outdoor-in deployments, BelAir Networks’ patented solution delivers the lowest cost per user and deploys in days, blending into the physical infrastructure of downtown business districts, hotels and resorts, and campuses. Founded in 2001, BelAir Networks is a privately held company.
BelAir Networks is the new worldwide wireless mesh node market leader based on revenue, according to Dell’Oro Group’s recently released Q3 2007 Wireless LAN quarterly report.

WiMAX Lives at WiMAX World

WiMAX World is now entering our fifth year of production. Since 2004 the WiMAX World Global Event Series have been the largest and most inflential WiMAX focused wireless and mobile broadband events on three continents - USA, EMEA and Asia.

WiMAX World has grown from 700 attendees in 2004 to over 10,000 in 2007. In 2007, the WiMAX World Global Event Series was supported by 350+ corporate, media, association and analyst sponsors, including 275+ exhibitors, including the support of every major WiMAX Forum ecosystem player. To date, over 20,000 professionals have attended the WiMAX World Global Event Series.

WiMAX World has achieved this leadership position by bringing an unbiased viewpoint to the industry, and by presenting a balanced view of the promises and challenges of WiMAX in the context of the broader mobile broadband and mobile internet markets.

If you want to to meet the movers and shakers of WiMAX, get straight answers on the state-of-the-industry and the hear a no-hype assessment of the risks and rewards of deploying WiMAX networks, come to WiMAX World!

WiMAX World Americas 2008:
September 30-October 2, 2008, Chicago IL, USA

WiMAX World Asia 2008:
March 18-20, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

WiMAX World EMEA 2008:
May 19-21 2008, Munich, Germany

For more look here: WiMAX World