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Politics : Stockman Scott's Political Debate Porch -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: stockman_scott who wrote (70911)	1/14/2005 11:01:21 PM
From: fresc	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 89467

Stock! By Brad Smith January 14, 2005 news@2 direct wirelessweek.com SAN JOSE, Calif.--The much-hyped WiMAX wireless broadband technology is an obvious play for cellular operators around the world and will fit nicely with a 3G network, several speakers said at the Wireless Communications Association International Symposium this week. Although there have been some stories in the media suggesting that WiMAX will become a "3G killer," the symposium speakers suggested it will enhance and improve a 3G carrier's business strategy. Among the advocates of technological coexistence was Klaus-Dieter Kohrt, deputy chairman of the UMTS Forum, the organization representing W-CDMA operators around the world. "We see WiMAX as complementary for 3G," said Kohrt, who is a senior vice president for Siemens Mobile. He said 3G operators can use WiMAX to offload wireless data from their more expensive UMTS spectrum. The initial WiMAX specification, called 802.16-2004, was just approved last fall and certified equipment is expected to start shipping in the second half of this year. Some vendors already are shipping pre-WiMAX equipment. WiMAX initially is seen as a DSL replacement but supposedly will support data rates up to about 30 megabits per second. The first specification is designed for fixed wireless only. The second iteration of the WiMAX standard, called 802.16e, will add mobility and is expected to be approved about June or July of this year. Mobile WiMAX equipment is expected in late 2006 or early 2007. Sean Maloney, head of Intel's Communication Group, said in the symposium's keynote address that WiMAX and 3G will not only coexist but will complement each other. Maloney cited the growing interest in WiMAX, with the number of vendors growing from 46 last year to 244 now, but cautioned that the hype surrounding the technology needs to be toned down. No sh*t... That's funny coming from INTC Still, Maloney said, WiMAX has the potential to become the first truly global broadband wireless standard. Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum, said in an interview that there will be about 150 WiMAX trials this year, many by cellular operators looking to cut both capital and operational expenditures. He said the forum had three carrier members a year and that membership category has swollen to 77 now. Fixed carriers and cable operators also are studying WiMAX as a way to fill in empty spots in their broadband coverage or to extend their reach into rural areas. Among these are Verizon Communications, British Telecom and AT&T. In the United States, Sprint and Nextel Communications, which have announced plans to merge, are looking into WiMAX for the vast amount of 2.5 GHz spectrum they jointly own nationwide. The joint company will own about 85 percent of the 2.5 GHz spectrum. Wimax= Wilan :) Thought you might like the read.