The 4G Portal.com

What's the big deal about WiMax?

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:03:51 +0100

What's the big deal about WiMax? : But the hyped technology hasn’t been without controversy. Fast forward to the present, and Sprint’s former CEO Gary Forsee, who staked his reputation and ultimately his job on WiMax’s success, was forced to resign after investors protested that the company needed to focus more on keeping current 3G customers instead of building a new 4G network. Now, Sprint is waiting to spin off its WiMax assets into a joint venture with Clearwire to help ensure that its dream of a nationwide WiMax network is realized. In the meantime, it’s moving forward with initial network deployments. And this week, it launched the first mobile WiMax network called Xohm in Baltimore. More cities will follow over the coming weeks and months.

Sprint Nextel steps up competition with launch of 4G broadband

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:02:46 +0100

Sprint Nextel steps up competition with launch of 4G broadband: Sprint Nextel, the third-largest US mobile network operator, on Thursday launched its next-generation 4G wireless broadband service based on WiMax technology in Baltimore, Maryland. The launch is the first step in the planned nationwide rollout of Sprint Nextel’s Xohm service, designed to deliver low-cost wireless broadband internet access at speeds similar to fixed cable and DSL lines to users.

WiMAX emulator allows real-world network testing

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:02:16 +0100

WiMAX emulator allows real-world network testing: Elektrobit has released what it claimed as the industry’s first radio channel emulator aimed at makers of base stations and subscriber devices using WiMAX, Long Term Evolution (LTE) and other 4G wireless network standards. “Radio channel emulators let designers of handsets, base stations, chipsets or other carrier equipment to test user terminals or network elements using a real-world radio channel, along with complete interference, noise and channel fading,” said Jouni Saastamoinen, director of business development for wireless communication tools, Elektrobit.

Which Applications Will Make 4G Tick?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:18:46 +0100

Which Applications Will Make 4G Tick?: As WiMAX World 2008 draws to a close in Chicago, attendees and speakers alike report a clearer understanding of the 4G technology race (or enough talking points to refute such a race exists) between LTE, WiMAX and even upgraded 3G networks, like HSPA+. As the dust settles on that debate and timelines begin to sink in, the industry is left wondering just what applications and services will drive uptake of mobile WiMAX? Sue Marek over at FierceWireless expressed frustration with WiMAX executives at the show for vague responses to that question: “I heard few—if any—specific examples of these advanced applications,” Marek wrote. “Whenever I asked, the responses were vague—such as social networking, location-based services or my favorite—‘applications that we can’t even imagine right now.’”

AT&T Not Interested in 4G?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:18:12 +0100

AT&T Not Interested in 4G? : Although AT&T has a full HSPA network which was prepared in time for the launch of the iPhone 3G, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be upgraded to 4G. AT&T seems not to be interested in 4G as it says it’s willing to wait at least two years, if not longer, until it would start deploying the next-generation network

Sprint's WiMax efforts doomed to failure?

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:17:50 +0100

Sprint's WiMax efforts doomed to failure? : Despite early signs that it’s performing well, Sprint’s new 4G network could be heading down the same doomed path as EarthLink’s citywide Wi-Fi networks. On Monday, two years after announcing plans to use WiMax to build a 4G network, Sprint began selling the new service, Xohm, in Baltimore. The network, which offers wireless broadband downloads in the 2Mbps to 4Mbps range, is supposed to be a leap forward in terms of throughput for wireless networks. And according to bloggers and journalists who have tested the network in the first two days it’s been up and running, it seems to be performing as expected.

WIMAX & LTE - The great 4G debate

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:34:07 +0100

WIMAX & LTE - The great 4G debate: Vodafone, T-Mobile and France Telecom have all announced plans to deploy LTE-based 4G networks. Some of these service providers are also planning to support WiMAX, another 4G technology, in addition to LTE. Live deployments of WiMAX are already underway in different parts of the world. Still other service providers are getting behind UMB, WiMAX, LTE or some mix of the three. It feels like we had not really finished discussions of 3G technologies before moving on to 4G. Now a dazzling array of old and new technology acronyms - WiMAX, LTE, UMB, OFDMA, 3GPP, 3GPP2, IEEE - are all now forming a part of the 4G lexicon.

Ericsson and Tatara Systems collaborate on IMS CDMA femtocell

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:33:37 +0100

Ericsson and Tatara Systems collaborate on IMS CDMA femtocell: Ericsson and Tatara Systems today announced that the companies are collaborating to deliver a CDMA femtocell solution over an IMS Core Network to provide voice, messaging and data services to homes and enterprises. Ericsson and Tatara have successfully demonstrated this solution, which enables CDMA network operators to integrate femtocells into their IMS networks. This provides both enterprises and home subscribers in-building service levels that meet or exceed the service levels and voice quality of macro networks, while enabling improved economics and delivery of advanced services.

AT&T To Hold Off On 4G Technology For 2-3 Years

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:33:16 +0100

AT&T To Hold Off On 4G Technology For 2-3 Years: It was a long, long wait for an iPhone with 3G data capabilities, but now that it’s here, people are starting to look toward what’s next. The Long Term Evolution Standard, also known as 4G, is the next generation in cellular data after 3G, but AT&T is says not to hold your breath waiting for it to get to the U.S.

Wavesat Receives Prestigious Frost & Sullivan Award for 4G

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:31:26 +0100

Wavesat Receives Prestigious Frost & Sullivan Award for 4G: Wavesat Inc., a leading supplier of Broadband Wireless semiconductor solutions announced today new industry honors as the winner of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan European Mobile Broadband Wireless Access “Excellence in Technology” Award. Frost & Sullivan selected Wavesat for the Company’s Odyssey(TM) 4G architecture and chipset for broadband applications such as mobile WiMAX, LTE and XG-PHS.

Forecasting 4G Fortunes

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:04:05 +0100

Forecasting 4G Fortunes: If the recent news from Nortel Networks Ltd. (NYSE/Toronto: NT - message board) that it’s seeking to “de-risk” its investment in 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology underscores just one thing, it’s that the market for wireless infrastructure is ultra-competitive and over-supplied. (See Nortel 4G Plans Up in the Air.) The surprise is that this needs saying at all. Back in May 2004, when the sector was on the upswing, I wrote a report highlighting the unsustainable cost structures of radio base station suppliers, given the overall size of the market and unrelenting pricing pressure. (See the Unstrung Insider report “Open Base Stations: Cutting the Cost of 3G Networks.”)

Sprint is currently offering two WiMAX devices

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:02:31 +0100

Sprint is currently offering two WiMAX devices: Any time a new technology launches, there are bound to be a few questions - and manufacturers/providers/etc aren’t always exactly thorough about making things clear. Case in point: Sprint’s confusing home vs mobile XOHM coverage.

WiMAX World 2008: The 4G Executive Summit

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:01:39 +0100

WiMAX World 2008: The 4G Executive Summit: In his keynote talk this morning at the 4G Executive Summit (WiMAX World ) AT&T’s Hank Kafka claimed that, “For the U.S. wireless market to meet the soaring demands of consumers, we have got to set targets, but targets without a plan are only wishful thinking. In general, most of our operators have similar 4G targets but the difference will be in the path to those targets.”The nature of that path was the main topic of discussion at this executive summit. AT&T’s Kafka extolled the virtues of GSM and its long-term evolution (LTE).”Our evolution has been from GPRS to EDGE to UMTS to HSPA and soon LTE,” Kafka said. “It’s clear that LTE will fit neatly… This is the great advantage of the GSM evolution: We are not starting from scratch. GSM can build from the existing technologies. It takes years for new technologies to get broad coverage nationwide.”

Higher data rate enhances 4G support

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:00:45 +0100

Higher data rate enhances 4G support: This new higher data rate further enhances OBSAI’s support for emerging 4G architectures and services and also allows both existing and future RF modules to be ‘daisy-chained’, thereby saving cabling costs in distributed base-station deployments The new data-rate capability of OBSAI has been achieved by incorporating aspects of the Serial RapidIO (SRIO) standard within the OBSAI RP3 specification, thereby leveraging the considerable industry support already in place for the SRIO standard

WiMax emulator debuts

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:59:32 +0100

WiMax emulator debuts: Elektrobit Corp. on Tuesday (Sept. 30) rolled out what it claims is the industry’s first radio channel emulator aimed at manufacturers of basestations and subscriber devices using WiMax, LTE and other 4G wireless network standards.

Meeting The Test Challenges Of 4G LTE

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:34:27 +0100

Meeting The Test Challenges Of 4G LTE: As RF designers work rapidly to create products that support the new long term evolution (LTE) cellular wireless standard, understanding the new test requirements for LTE assumes ever greater importance as this technology becomes more widespread. For the wireless industry, these changes are nearly as significant as the move from analog to digital, requiring new measurements and new test equipment. This article looks at what LTE is and the main challenges to testing for engineers.

Just When 3G Is Rolling Out 4G From Sprint Is Here?

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:33:53 +0100

Just When 3G Is Rolling Out 4G From Sprint Is Here?: A next-generation 4G wireless network based on mobile WiMAX technology debuted today in Baltimore, heralding the start of a new era for wireless consumers as Sprint officially launched XOHM(TM) mobile broadband commercial service in the first major U.S. city. “This is truly an historic day with the birth of a completely new Internet-based business model that alters the dynamics of the traditional telecom industry,” explained Barry West, president of Sprint’s XOHM business unit. “Wireless consumers will experience WiMAX device and XOHM service innovation on multiple levels as the computer, Internet, telecom and consumer electronics industries converge to redefine wireless mobility.”

CE Vendors Offering Internet Connectivity Must Get the Usage Model Right

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:33:30 +0100

CE Vendors Offering Internet Connectivity Must Get the Usage Model Right: The trend towards cramming ever more functions into mobile phones is forcing consumer electronics vendors to explore new capabilities in their devices in order to stay relevant to consumers in a “connected age.” Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) combining specialized functions (camera, media player, navigation etc.) with wireless Internet access seem likely to succeed and consumers increasingly expect their electronics to connect to the Internet. But makers of these products have only a window in which to build devices and business models that users will adopt.

Sprint launches its WiMax service in first U.S. city

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:31:51 +0100

Sprint launches its WiMax service in first U.S. city: Sprint promised the commercial launch of its Wimax network by the end of September. Today it kept that promise. The nation’s No. 3 wireless company launched its high-speed WiMax service in Baltimore today. “This is truly an historic day with the birth of a completely new Internet-based business model that alters the dynamics of the traditional telecom industry,” Barry West, president of Sprint’s XOHM business unit, stated in a release. “Wireless consumers will experience WiMAX device and XOHM service innovation on multiple levels as the computer, Internet, telecom and consumer electronics industries converge to redefine wireless mobility.”

Multi-gigabit 4G Backhaul with 80 GHz Bands

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:31:29 +0100

Multi-gigabit 4G Backhaul with 80 GHz Bands : The term “4G” is used in varying manners to describe upcoming mobile network deployments. Often, the term “4G” is simply used to refer to new access standards such as LTE and WiMAX that employ technologies such as OFDMA and MIMO (generally not present in today’s mobile networks), offering performance improvements over current mobile peak data rates. The ITU’s IMT-Advanced standard defines 4G wireless as providing over 100 Mbps of capacity to high mobility users — a user-centric, rather than technology-centric, definition. It is anticipated that networks based on LTE or WiMAX standards will deliver over 100 Mbps of capacity to users (even if not in their initial deployments), so there are natural overlaps in the uses of the term “4G” depending on whether one is talking about “standards”, “technology” or “capacity”.