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Technology Stocks : LAST MILE TECHNOLOGIES - Let's Discuss Them Here -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Michael Hart who wrote (12660)	11/5/2003 6:42:20 PM
From: Dexter Lives On	Respond to of 12823

Proxim to introduce 802.16a wireless devices in mid-2004 Daniel Shen, Taipei; Steve Shen, DigiTimes.com [Wednesday 5 November 2003] Wireless networking device vendor Proxim is expected to begin providing wireless solutions complying with 802.16a standards in mid-2004, according to Joshua Chao, vice president for sales for the Asia-Pacific region of the California-based company. The WiMAX Forum, which sets technical standards for wireless solutions for broadband wireless networks, will help finalize the 802.16a standards soon, allowing WLAN suppliers to introduce standardized products in 2004, Chao said. As a market leader, Proxim has seen significant growth of WLAN markets in China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, Chao said. Korea Telecom (KT), which has been promoting Neospot’s WLAN services, has acted as a driving force to help South Korean enterprises build in-house WLAN networks. Meanwhile, the WLAN market in China is growing rapidly, with WLAN vendors establishing sales outlets and Chinese enterprises beginning to install wireless networks, according to Chao. Proxim is developing voice over Wi-Fi devices with Motorola and switch maker Avaya that will be able to allow enterprises around the world to change their corporate networking environment to wireless LAN from the current cellular network, Chao said. Proxim currently outsources all of its WLAN equipment from Taiwan-based companies. Among them, Universal Scientific Industrial (USI) produces 802.11b devices using Agere Systems chipsets, while Ambit Microsystems and Accton Technology manufacture 802.11a and 802.11g devices using Atheros Technologies chipsets. Through resellers, Proxim takes up about 90% of Taiwan’s WWAN market by selling its devices to Taiwan’s mobile phone and broadband operators including Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Taiwan Cellular Corporation (TCC), Far EasTone Telecommunications and Eastern Broadband Telecommunications. Meanwhile, the company sells its WLAN equipment to Taiwanese government agencies and private enterprises through system integrators. Proxim has conducted a feasibility study for setting up an R&D center in Taiwan but finalization of the plan still depends on the technology capabilities and cost efficiency of the island, Chao said. Related stories: HARDWARE (CEO Digest, Jun 28-Jul 11) (Jul 14) Intel and Alvarion develop alternative solutions for last mile (Jul 11) Gen-WAN Technology launches 802.16a WLAN equipment (Mar 7) digitimes.com

To: Michael Hart who wrote (12660)	11/9/2003 2:35:03 PM
From: Rob S.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 12823

The leaders in 802.16a/.16e and in terms of market share for existing systems are Alvarion and Wi-Lan. Wi-Lan has a patent on W-OFDM used as a core technology in 802.16a and has an infringement lawsuit against Redline. Redline, of course, claims that they do not infringe. Wi-Lan is working with Fujitsu on development of merchant 802.16a ICs. This agreement has been in place for about a year while Intel officially committed to 802.16a chip development earlier this year. Alvarion has an agreement with Intel to help them with their chip development. Recently Intel has signed on Redline, Proxim, and Airspan to build systems using their chips. Of these, Redline is probably contributing to Intel's IC development. I don't think that any of these companies get compensated for design help but, of course, would retain any IP rights they currently have. WaveSat claims to be the first company out with 802.16a chips that they offer for sale to others. All claims about compliance with 802.16a are pretty meaningless until systems are designed and tested for compliance with WiMAX, the 802.16a compliance body. Because 802.16a covers an extremely broad spectrum of frequencies and technologies, it is very possible to build systems compliant with 802.16a that will stay proprietary. WiMAX establishes the system definitions and testing requirements to assure vendor inter-operability. This compliance definition and testing is on a systems level, not on an IC level. So systems that meet the same compliance definition may be built using Intel, Fujitsu or proprietary ICs. Alvarion and Wi-Lan will likely be the first to be out with WiMAX compliant systems. Alvarion says that they will have a pre-Intel chip (using programmable gate arrays) based WiMAX system early in 2004, followed in the summer with systems converted to the Intel ICs when they are available. Wi-Lan should have their WiMAX system out by the second quarter. As far as I know it will be based on early production ICs from Fujitsu rather than programmable chips or custom ASICs.