zbyslaw owczarczyk
Here is some further background with reference to the article which David Greenfield wrote on Newbridge's LMCS solution.
The modem functionality Newbridge is integrating into its broadband wireless solution is based on the TDMA (time division multiple access) technology. TDMA effectively shares bandwidth among a number of users and is optimal for both variable rate connections, where potentially hundreds of Ethernet or other bursty traffic users can share the bandwidth up to wire speeds, and fixed data rate connections (n X T1/E1 or n X 64 kbits/s). Stanford Telecom has developed field-proven solutions for TDMA in the broadband wireless environment, based on its expertise in both military and satellite applications.
Newbridge, in its capacity as an end-to-end solution provider to broadband wireless operators, will benefit from Stanford Telecom's expertise and innovation in modem and customer interface technology, and the opportunity to jointly develop advanced solutions for operators. Stanford Telecom will gain access to a worldwide installed base of Newbridge equipment, and the opportunity to integrate its technology with the industry-leading Newbridge asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) platform.
"Stanford Telecom has enjoyed an excellent development relationship with Newbridge," said Dr. Val P. Peline, President and CEO, Stanford Telecom. "Marrying the strengths of the two companies enables us to offer an optimal solution to operators and immediately address global opportunities." Stanford's modem technology will be used in the Newbridge broadband wireless solution which is based on the Siemens / Newbridge MainStreetXpress(tm) 36170 Multiservices Switch, the first ATM platform with integrated broadbandwireless capability. The Newbridge solution for broadband wireless operators
comprises both base-station and customer premise equipment. The ATM radio interface card (ARIC), integral to the MainStreetXpress 36170 Switch, provides an interface between the wire-line backbone and the wireless access portion of the network. The Stanford Telecom modem is integrated into the ARIC. Transmission and reception of the wireless signals is performed by a transmitter/receiver at the base station and a transceiver at the customer premise. Customer interface units provide connectivity to the wire-line network within the customer premise.
Markets for LMDS
There is considerable controversy concerning the growth of the LMDS markets. Possible obstacles to LMDS services growth include:
* Limitations of LMDS technology (LMDS requires customers have line of
sight to a transmitter. Customers will also need to install a lot of
subsystems -- transceivers, interfaces, and nodes. Furthermore, obstructionsas small as the foliage on trees can impede signals, as can rain -- a phenomenon called "rain fade." )
* Competition with incumbents
* Competition with ISPs
* Competition with PCS Wireless service providers
* Competing technologies such as: xDSL (ADSL,HDSL,SDSL,VDSL), Cable
Modems, Direct Broadcast Satellite, and MMDS/MDS.
* Accessing Tower Building sites for antenna deployment (must be
line-of-sight).
* Standards and Regulation. One obstacle which has been holding up
LMDS to some extent is the delay in auctioning spectrum in the US and
Canada. Finally this seems to have been resolves with the auctions for the 28GHz band which took place in 1998.
Here are a couple of articles which discuss markets for LMDS with some
diversity of opinion:
1. "Local Multipoint Distribution Service: Wireless Wonder Or Broadband Bust?" By George Leopold and Brian Santo, EE Times. techweb.com
2. "Study bullish on LMDS" By George Leopold, EE Times
edtn.com
Regards
Norden
ps zbyslaw be interested on your take
BTW my take is that the company has clearly turned and the question is how quickly can it ramp revenues, earnings and crystallize relationships with other major players ie Siemens etc. |
