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To: kech who wrote (19252)	3/31/2002 12:36:19 PM
From: Eric L	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

re: Nextel & WLAN >> Nextel To Join WLAN Party Elizabeth Biddlecombe Total Telecom 25 March 2002 >> U.S. Iden Operator To Trial Combined Wireless Lan-In-Building Cellular Solution – Focus On Corporate Needs. Nextel Communications, the nationwide U.S. operator, will be trialing a combined wireless LAN/iDEN service, according to CNET. The trial will be conducted with RadioFrame Networks, a Redmond, Washington-based provider of a solution that enhances in-building coverage. The RadioFrame product allows operators to keep voice and data calls on an in-building network while ensuring enhanced call quality and reliability. RadioFrame is providing the hardware while Nextel is building and managing the network. The two companies signed a deal a year ago to work together on in-building service but the solution allows for the addition of wireless LAN (WLAN) technology (also known as 802.11 or WiFi ). This would mean users could access information cordlessly at speeds of 11 megabits per second (via 802.11b) via their laptops while also using their Nextel phone to make voice calls or access phone-based data services. Will WLAN hotspots be a good test ground for wireless broadband services? Have your say here. And find out how to buy an Analysys report on the business potential for WLANs at a special discounted price by clicking here. iDEN is the Motorola-developed cellular technology that uses a packet-based network. It enables both traditional mobile calls as well as push-to-talk service, marketed as 'Direct Connect' by Nextel. Earlier in the week, U.S. mobile carriers acknowledged at the CTIA wireless show in Orlando that they have been evaluating the opportunities that exist around WLAN networks. For their part, manufacturers such as Nokia, with its announcement of a combined 802.11b and GPRS-enhanced GSM modem card, showed that they have been looking at enabling combined offerings. Deutsche Telekom-owned VoiceStream is ahead of its competitors in this area since it already owns the assets of bankrupt WLAN provider MobileStar. Sprint has an investment in WLAN aggregator Boingo. Margaret Brown, a director of Enterprise Markets PR, denied that Nextel's strategy is to take on the WLAN providers. "I don't think we're talking about [our strategy] yet but we are going to find partners that can help us. Our goal truly is to be a platform provider - we're not going to try and provide everything but...will find partners. We're not going to put people out of business," she said. The focus of the service will likely be large companies with campus-style headquarters, she added. VoiceStream's entry into the market has already had an adverse effect on one aggregator - San Jose, California-based hereUare Communications - according to Internet News. GSM operator VoiceStream has not yet decided what to do with the access equipment already deployed by MobileStar in Starbucks coffee shops. The decision is important to hereUare since the Starbucks networks - around 600 of them - reportedly represent around half of hereUare's total number of access points. << - Eric -

To: kech who wrote (19252)	3/31/2002 6:49:03 PM
From: Eric L	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 34857

Tom, re: T-Mobile VoiceStream "lack of alternative"??? << Actually Eric I was talking about the "lack of alternative" in the WAN that VoiceStream is calling an alternative in the LAN. In clear english, Voicestream's decision to push Wi-Lan is a sign of desperation that they don't have an upgrade path in their normal business. >> For the benefit of this thread ... ... and for my benefit .. would you care to elucidate. What you are saying sounds like nonsense to me ... ... and we get a lot of that on this thread ... ... but it is entirely possible that I am missing something. TIA. - Eric -

To: kech who wrote (19252)	4/1/2002 11:54:55 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 34857

Hi Tom! <<to push Wi-Lan is a sign of desperation>>. I disagree. I think WLANs are complementary to 3G and not excluding. I say that because on high traffic areas -office complexes high rise buildings and such, we have to deploy a pico-cells right into the buildings' hearts. High traffic areas are the most valuable for an operator. To give an example how it will work, in Europe DECT standard wireless phones are deployed inside buildings, warehouses, megastores and they have those micro base stations along corridors etc. So the guy carry along his DECT phone (1.880 MHz) and talk along. Basically is just a PABX extension wireless. That's how WLAN will be deployed into areas of high concentration of people. I can see that even an open door can block line of sight, but with an RF planning tool you can plan optimum coverage with no sweat