3G

China's leaders cite global financial crisis as reason for moving on 3G licenses

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:33:18 -0500

Could China become the savior for the mobile infrastructure industry? Spending among operators is down, and the financials of major infrastructure players like Alcatel Lucent and Nortel are terrible. But new reports indicated the Chinese government is expected to issue long-awaited licenses for 3G services by the beginning of 2009 with the expectation that it will generate $29.1 billion in investments from the three operators.

Industry players, no doubt, have kept their fingers crossed as rumors that the licenses would be awarded continually surfaced with no action over the years. Now Li Yizhong, minister for industry and information technology, said the licensing decision was a "very significant" response to the global financial crisis.

Market leader China Mobile will be granted a licenses for China's homegrown standard, TD-SCDMA, while China Unicom will receive a license for W-CDMA technology. China Telecom, which doesn't operate a network, will be granted a license for CDMA2000 technology.

For more:
- read the Financial Times

Related articles:
Is China finally moving to 3G?
China continues to hedge on 3G

Novatel introduces smart 3G router

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:22:04 -0500

Novatel Wireless has introduced a 3G router called MiFi, which Novatel says is unique in the market because it creates a personal cloud of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be shared among multiple users and WiFi devices such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players. The MiFi will be available in the first quarter 2009.

Novatel also said it will allow third-party applications to operate on the system. "With the pocket-sized MiFi device, Novatel Wireless has invented a new category of mobile broadband solutions, pushing the envelope in design and performance and ushering in the next era of the mobile broadband experience," said Peter Leparulo, chairman and CEO of Novatel Wireless. "Our carrier partners will now be able to provide new wireless solutions and bundles for consumer and enterprise users. This will contribute to the continued growth of the addressable broadband market and create a unique opportunity for carriers to generate additional revenue per user through the deployment of innovative value-add applications and services."

Novatel said it will sell its MiFi devices through the carriers. While the carriers will determine pricing, Novatel said it expects the devices to cost under $200 before any carrier subsidies.

In related news, Brad Weinert resigned as president of the company.

For more:
- read this release

AT&T to offer official iPhone 3G tethering app

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 13:44:37 -0500

iPhone 3G customers will be able to use their devices as a wireless modem for computers soon, according to an AT&T Mobility executive. CEO Ralph de la Vega, during an interview with InformationWeek, confirmed that the operator is working on an official tethering application, but declined to give a time frame for the release.

A third-party developer, Nullriver, introduced in July a tethering application called NetShare that was pulled by Apple, returned then finally pulled again from Apple's App Store because it violated AT&T's terms of service. The application enabled Apple's iPhone to share EDGE or 3G connections with other devices to create a portable WiFi hotspot of sorts.

AT&T offers tethering plans for many of its smartphones, including BlackBerrys, but not for the iPhone 3G. Unlike the NetShare application, AT&T will likely charge a monthly fee. Naturally, mobile operators aren't very happy about the prospect of these roving WiFi hotspots created by one connection as they don't want users getting a free ride on their data networks. Outside tethering services violate AT&T's terms of service.

For more:
- check out InformationWeek

Related article:
iPhone tethering app pulled minutes after debut, restored again

Enterprises will drive wireless broadband growth

Peggy Albright — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:22:55 -0400

Senza Fili Consulting forecasts enterprise markets will have a welcome and significant impact on wireless broadband growth. The research firm said enterprises are finally ready to adopt vertical applications that require wireless data connectivity, such as machine-to-machine communications, in-vehicle telematics and mobile workforce products. A new report from the research firm says that by 2014, vertical market applications will use more than 154 million connections on 3G, WiMAX or LTE networks, generating more than $43 billion in service revenues, and that vertical services will reach 24 percent of WiMAX subscriptions and 14 percent of LTE subscriptions. While the enterprise market is a potentially lucrative one, however, it is challenging to serve, and operators will need to prepare well to give these customers the attention and performance they will demand, the firm cautions.

For more:
- see the release

Apple iPhone gaining traction with corporations

Sue Marek — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:51:58 -0400

In its latest IT purchasing survey, ChangeWave reports the Apple iPhone is gaining traction with corporations. ChangeWave's survey, conducted Aug. 11-21, indicated a slightly weaker visibility for RIM. At 79 percent of the market, RIM was three-points lower than its record high in May. ChangeWave attributes some of this to the delay of RIM's Bold device, which is still not available in the U.S. market.

Meanwhile, with 17 percent share Apple continues to show momentum in terms of corporate-planned purchases. Apple was up 4 points compared to the previous survey. And 19 percent of those surveyed said that the release of the iPhone 3G has made their company more likely to purchase an Apple iPhone.

For more:
- See this article

Related article:
Study says businesses aren't convinced of iPhone yet

Creating Order Out of WiMAX/LTE IPR Chaos

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:05:22 -0400

By Robert Syputa

There is a growing perception that LTE is pushing down on WiMAX momentum. But perhaps it is LTE that is being driven by the accelerated development of WiMAX intellectual property rights and the quick strides the ecosystem is making in transforming these technologies from concept to reality. And maybe the influence of 2G/3G mobile communications IPR is driving the rapid development of various next-generation technologies used in WiMAX devices and networks.

Patents provide exclusive rights to use an invention. Standards and industry groups have come to value patents based on whether they are clearly used in, or essential to, the standard. This values patent portfolios largely by the number of patents. However, fundamental patent value stems from the strength of the claims contained within the patent, and, ultimately, from the degree of breakthrough brought to the field upon which further patents depend. Understanding of the degree of patent strength and the role played in the evolution of wireless is important. Qualcomm, Samsung, Arraycomm and Interdigital are examples of how companies can focus strategically to develop strong portfolios that deliver a product market advantage and direct license revenues.

The IEEE 802.16 Wireless MAX (WiMAX) effort has developed a large pool of IPR that has become the baseline for next-generation communications networks. We use the term next-generation rather than next generation mobile networks (NGMN) because the emerging communications are increasingly media and location independent (i.e Internet everywhere). Companies that have developed WiMAX IPR now assert that the patents also apply to LTE as demonstrated by the number of ICs and systems under development for LTE that reuse core WiMAX experience.

A history lesson in mobile IPR

The development of 2G/3G mobile voice and data services dramatically transformed business and personal communications. However, because a few companies invented the technologies for these services, control of IPR was limited and led to trade sanctions and exhaustive court battles. Devices have increasingly incorporated video and other technologies developed outside of the mobile industry. This has led to additional lawsuits and trade sanctions.

The situation for wireless is not unique. Communications and electronics products in general have grown more complex and inter-dependent such that IPR infringement is likened to a 'patent thicket' problem and companies using IPR can be stung from many directions. This led to the establishment of organizations that built IPR regimen or frameworks to help companies navigate over the thicket. Frameworks included agreements that maintained infringement and royalty rights at levels that strengthened overall industry development goals. Cross-licensing agreements also played a role in moderating the cost impact of IPR and reducing conflicts. Where technology is widely used, patent pools emerged as a useful means to consolidate and manage IPR visibility, complexity and costs.

Although at first glance it may seem that IPR pools for the wireless industry have had limited success, it is important to consider that these efforts were only launched after large-scale commercial deployments began. Among the relatively small group of mobile industry pioneers that controlled critical IPR, a few key stakeholders have refused to take part in licensing pools, notably 3G licensing for WCDMA used in 3G devices and networks. While comprised of several respected firms, the exception of Qualcomm, Nokia and Ericsson has rendered the effort a valid attempt but short of becoming the framework for the industry.

WiMAX and LTE--lessons learned?

The Maravedis WiMAX & LTE IPR report issued early 2007 provided a comprehensive analysis of wireless IPR development trends and concluded that the market needed to put aside differences and establish a patent-pooling program to avoid the mistakes and challenges plaguing the 2G/3G industry. The report suggested the formation and structure of a patent pool to attract broad industry participation while addressing anti-trust concerns. The announced formation of the WiMAX Open Patent Alliance (OPA) and LTE Licensing frameworks at this early stage of next-generation commercial development are positive reinforcements of that report proposal. Both groups state goals of achieving greater transparency of IPR and a licensing regimen that conforms to FRAND fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory policies.

The WiMAX OPA announced member companies that comprise a large portion of IPR used in IEEE 802.16e-2005. Yung Hahn, director of IP strategic initiatives for WiMAX at Intel, says that OPA is encouraging broad participation among wireless suppliers, operators and converging industries.

The LTE Licensing alliance has released limited details of their program, but has indicated the framework seeks to limit royalties to 10 percent of devices and $10 per laptop. The recent patent licensing settlement between Qualcomm and Nokia shifts the IPR landscape. Nokia is party to the LTE Licensing framework but Qualcomm is not. Although Maravedis believes it is unlikely, it will be interesting to see if Qualcomm decides to participate in the framework and how they might affect the LTE alliance. Nokia's grant of a cross-license for its broad portfolio of IPR, including that related to WiMAX and LTE, strengthens Qualcomm's position in IPR and their ability to help shape future products and markets.

IPR ... the tip of the iceberg

While IPR frameworks may still be in their nascent stages, the strategic understanding of the field of IPR is gaining importance throughout the ecosystem. Some technology firms have elevated management of IPR to the VP level. Others have expanded the use of strategic analysis of patents to better align R&D and patent licensing with the corporate mission. Similarly, Maravedis is increasingly being commissioned to evaluate company IPR in context with market conditions so organizations can better concentrate research efforts on pioneering technology that delivers the most value to patent portfolios and products.

Maravedis has actively participated in IPR research and analysis since its inception six years ago, and continues to mediate unbiased, informative discussions with industry representatives to dissect IPR issues from all angles. Much can be learned from this seemingly chaotic environment by examining the successes and failures of the past to sidestep the hurdles of implementing industrywide IPR initiatives that will ease the proliferation of ubiquitous mobile data networking.

Robert Syputa is a senior analyst with Maravedis Inc., a research and analysis firm focusing on broadband wireless technologies including WiMAX, 802.20, TD-CDMA and wireless local loop systems.

Sierra Wireless buys Junxion

Lynnette Luna — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:31:01 -0400

Sierra Wireless has purchased the assets of Junxion for an undisclosed amount. Junxion offers the Junxion Box that essentially creates a hotspot that allows users to remotely connect to WiFi and share 3G connections. The box enables applications such as telemetry, landline replacement, landline fail-over and video monitoring--all heavy data-loading applications. Junxion's technology is already used by AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. Sierra plans to incorporate Junxion with its mobile and machine-to-machine groups.

For more:
- check out Unstrung

Related stories:
Share Your 3G with the Junxion Box. Junxion story
Sierra ends CradlePoint acquisition. Sierra story

iPhone tethering app pulled minutes after debut, restored again

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:23:55 -0400

A new application from Nullriver called NetShare that enables Apple's iPhone to share EDGE or 3G connections with other devices to create a portable WiFi hotspot of sorts briefly appeared on Apple's App store but was pulled minutes later and then restored again the next day.

The app, which costs $10, shares the iPhone's EDGE or 3G, connection with a PC, providing a ubiquitous Internet connection. Naturally, mobile operators aren't very happy about the prospect of these roving WiFi hotspots created by one connection as they don't want users getting a free ride on their data networks. Tethering services violate AT&T's terms of service.

Nullriver says it is trying to find out from Apple why the app was pulled, but has yet to receive an answer from the company.

For more:
- check out Mobile Tech Today

Related stories:
Ten million iPhone App Store downloads in first weekend. iPhone story
App Store frustrations bedevil iPhone developers. App store story

Informa: Mobile data services fuel base station turnaround

Lynnette Luna — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:35:32 -0400

The growing success of mobile data services is fueling a turnaround in the lagging base station market, according to Informa Telecoms & Media. The firm predicts that jumps in data traffic related to YouTube and other mobile video streaming applications will increase 5,514 percent by 2012. It said the rise of browser-friendly devices such as the iPhone 3G can lead to a 30-fold increase in traffic per subscriber. Article

Canadian iPhone 3G plans require three-year contract, limited data

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:38:11 -0400

Canadian wireless customers found it they will have to sign a three-year service contract and sign up for a wireless plan that doesn't include unlimited data if they want to get the new iPhone 3G from Rogers.

The operator announced it is offering plans that range from $60 to $115 per month but didn't say how much the handset would cost when it goes on sale July 11.

The cheapest monthly plan costs $60 and includes 150 minutes of voice calling, with unlimited evenings and weekends, 400 MB of data, 75 sent text messages, and unlimited incoming texts and visual voicemail messages. The most expensive plan runs $115, and subscribers get 800 minutes of daytime calling, 2 GB of data, and 300 sent text messages.

Rogers calculated that the plan with 400 MB of data represents up to 200,000 text e-mails or 3,100 Web pages. The 2-GB plan is the equivalent of 1,048,000 text e-mails or 16,000 Web pages. With statistics showing that iPhone users are the biggest users of the mobile Internet, Canadian customers will likely hit their data limit rather quickly. At least each of the service plans comes with unlimited access to all Rogers and Fido WiFi hotspots.

For more:
- check out InformationWeek

Related stories:
iPhone 3G revises AT&T data pricing. AT&T story
AT&T will subsidize 3G iPhone. iPhone story

Qualcomm raises forecasts on 3G sales

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:20:21 -0400

Qualcomm increased its expectations for the current quarter and fiscal year as demand for 3G chips rose. Qualcomm said it anticipates revenue for the quarter ending June 29 to be "slightly above" the higher end of the company's previous guidance of $2.5 billion to $2.7 billion. The company also expects quarterly earnings to reach 54 cents to 55 cents per share compared with its prior forecast of 50 cents to 52 cents per share.

"We are expecting another successful quarter driven by the continued global migration to 3G,'' CEO Paul Jacobs said. "March quarter reports by our licensees indicate an increased mix of high-end devices driving a higher average selling price.''

For more:
- read the WSJ (sub. req.)

Related stories:
Qualcomm captures mobile chipset lead from TI Qualcomm story
Qualcomm reveals LTE chip plans Qualcomm LTE story

3GPP agrees on femtocell architecture

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:59:57 -0400

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has adopted an official architecture for 3G femtocell home base stations.

The 3GPP wants to have the new standard done by the end of this year, which appears to be an aggressive time schedule given the fact that vendors had various approaches to building a femtocell base station. The agreed upon architecture follows an access network-based approach, leveraging existing standards, called IU-cs and Iu-ps interfaces, into the core service network. The result is a new interface called Iu-h.

The architecture defines two new network elements, the femtocell and the femtocell gateway. Between these elements is the new Iu-h interface. This solution was backed by Alcatel-Lucent, Kineto Wireless, Motorola and NEC.

All of the femtocell vendors must go back and change their access point and network gateway equipment to comply with the new standard interface.

All femtocell vendors will have to make changes to their access points. Alcatel-Lucent, Motorola, NEC, and those that already use Kineto's GAN approach, such as Ubiquisys, will have the least work to do.

To read more:
- check out Unstrung

Related stories:
Femtocell announcements bring market momentum; questions still remain. Femtocell editorial
Femtocells face their tipping point. Femtocell story

AT&T gives HSPA a boost in time for 3G iPhone

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Just in time for the rumored June 9 iPhone debut, AT&T is giving its HSPA network a big speed boost. The company says that by the end of June it will have deployed HSUPA throughout its 3G markets, giving its customers downlink speeds between 700 Kbps and 1.7 Mbps and uplink speeds between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps.

Also key to this speed increase is the fact that AT&T launched a new bundled offering called AT&T Net Reach, that combines AT&T's wireless and wireline networks, giving subscribers access to both AT&T's landline high speed Internet service and its wireless services such as AT&T's WiFi hotspots or its HSPA or Edge wireless data network. The Net Reach plans start at $79.95 per month and can be purchased by new or existing residential and business customers who subscribe to AT&T's high speed Internet and the LaptopConnect services.-Sue Marek

For more:
- see this Net Reach press release
- and this HSPA press release

Related stories:
AT&T looks to roll out HSPA in time for 3G iPhone
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds

As 3G laptops become must-haves for enterprise, how will operators respond?

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Gartner is predicting that laptops embedded with 3G are likely to become a must-have for the business world beginning next year because new technologies--namely those that incorporate various frequencies for better coverage--and better pricing plans are making them more attractive. Today, the high cost hardware and expensive monthly charges have so far kept the enterprise from investing in laptops embedded with 3G. But that is expected to change.

Does that mean operators will be pushed to lift the 5 GB per month cap they currently have in place on their "unlimited" laptop data packages? Both Verizon and AT&T have a 5 GB cap on unlimited usage while Sprint has no cap but is rumored to be instituting one shortly.

As attractive as the wireless data enterprise market is, 3G operators are in a bit of a conundrum when it comes to mobile Internet access as voice capacity--still the bread and butter of this business--is being sacrificed for high-speed data services. As such, it's difficult to offer a truly unlimited high-speed data plan. That's why Verizon and others have never positioned 3G as a replacement for DSL.

As the enterprise becomes more attracted to 3G-enabled laptops because of the reasons Gartner outlines, usage will surely skyrocket. You have to think that enterprise customers will use the service even when they aren't traveling.

In March, iPass released a new survey that measured 3G enterprise usage in 2007, giving insight into how the enterprise market is shaping up. It found monthly usage increased steadily throughout the year, growing from an average of 152 MB per user in the first quarter of 2007 to 190 MB in the fourth quarter. Of those more established users who had been on the service since January 2007, monthly usage averaged 188 MB in Q1 and 225 MB in Q4, indicating that usage seems to rise with experience.

At the extreme, a small number of users exceeded 2 GB of usage in a given month. These heavy users accounted for less than one half of one percent of all users in the sample and were offset by the 32 percent of business people who used an average less than 50 MB in a month.

Of course, those statistics come from the encumbered environment Gartner mentioned. Clearly, operators have to be careful about the traffic mix in their networks, but they certainly don't want to alienate the valuable enterprise user either. It will be interesting to see how they tackle the issue going forward. Will femtocells in the enterprise and where business people travel to be the answer? Or will it be 4G?--Lynnette

Gartner: 3G laptops to become enterprise must-have

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Laptops embedded with 3G are likely to become a must-have for the business world starting next year because new technologies and better pricing plans are making them more attractive, says research group Gartner. The firm said the high cost of hardware and expensive monthly charges have so far kept the enterprise from investing in 3G-enabled laptops, but that should begin changing at the end of this year, said Ken Dulaney, vice president with Gartner.

"Our standing recommendation against embedding wireless WAN (WWAN) cards in notebooks--except for applications with a clear return-on-investment justification--has been based on lack of global coverage, high costs and poor asset protection," Dulaney said. "However, new technologies and pricing due by the end of 2008 have the potential to eliminate the problems of embedded, wireless 3G notebook purchases."

Gartner says the advent of new chipsets that combine multiple technologies and frequency bands to offer better coverage would make 3G laptops a good proposition for the moderate to extensive traveler in 2009. In addition, 3G operators are beginning to see the value in moving beyond the standard two-year contracts to include daily and monthly rates, much like WiFi providers offer today. Operators are also considering plans for allowing international travelers to use local rates on a pay-per-day basis, Gartner said.

For more on this story:
check out TechWorld

Related stories:
Qualcomm aims to replicate dominance in laptop market. 3G laptop story
Laptop makers look to Gobi to bridge 3G. Gobi story

Infineon reveals new 3G platform

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:59:54 -0400

Chipmaker Infineon announced its new generation 3G platform family is ready. The platform is designed to reduce the number of devices in the chipset from three to two and the component count by about 50 percent. Infineon says the new 3G solutions sport the industry's smallest printed circuit board (PCB) footprint, allowing for space reduction of up to 40 percent. And power standby is reduced by up to 30 percent compared with existing HSDPA platform solutions, said Infineon.

"Our new platforms enable our customers to fully reuse their hardware and software developments and launch multiple phones covering all feature phone market segments with lower cost and faster time-to-market," said Prof. Dr. Hermann Eul, executive vice president of the Infineon Management Board and president of the Communication Solutions Business Group.

The platform offers HSDPA/HSUPA capabilities of 7.2Mbps uplink and 2.9 Mbps downline, an integrated high-end video accelerator for recording and playback of VGA video content and the ability to connect to cameras with up to 5 megapixels.

Earlier this week, Infineon warned that it anticipates a larger operating loss and flat sales for its communication chips unit this quarter. Infineon cited delays in shipping a single chip solution for Nokia's ultra low-end phones. Just last month Infineon had said the deal was on track. Infineon shares fell 7.8 percent on the news. Infineon is also rumored to be supplying the new 3G iPhone's HSDPA chipset.

For more on this story:
- read Cellular-News

Related stories:
Chipmaker Infineon warns of larger loss this quarter. Infineon story
Rumor du jour: HSDPA iPhone coming in June. HSDPA iPhone story

India could see 3G, more WiMAX by 2009

Thu, 29 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

India, which is expected to become a hotbed for wireless broadband services, could see 3G and more WiMAX deployments by 2009. The Indian government is expected to issue guidelines on the auction of both 3G and WiMAX network licenses next month.

According to telecom minister Andimuthu Raja, the license conditions would allow foreign participation. According to Indian law, up to 74 percent of an Indian company can be held by a foreign company. With the recent M&A activity and rumors surrounding the country's existing mobile operators, these licenses should attract a plethora of foreign operators.

The Indian government expects to see WiMAX and 3G networks begin rolling out in January 2009. The initial WiMAX plans laid out by the Indian government include the auction of three 2.5 GHz WiMAX licenses with a 10-megahertz allocation each for the winners. State-owned BSNL has already been handed 20 megahertz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band for mobile WiMAX rollout.

For more about India's 3G and WiMAX plans:
- check out this telecoms.com article

Related stories:
- Gartner: India to remain a niche market for WiMAX. Read this WiMAX India story
- MTN and Reliance could form mobile-phone powerhouse. See this MTN-Reliance story

Is China finally ready for 3G?

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Could it really be true? China reportedly is ready to issue 3G licenses after six years of promises and delays. While announcing it plans to restructure China's telecom service providers, China's regulators also announced that three 3G licenses will be granted once the restructuring is complete.

The Chinese government has been delaying the 3G process in a bid to get its home-grown standard, TD-SCDMA, up to par with WCDMA and CDMA 1xEV-DO. To date, the country's carriers have spent a significant amount of money on TD-SCDMA trials and may possibly offer services during the Olympic Games this summer.

The impending 3G awards should be good news for the world's vendors, which have been banking on China opening up the market to 3G and bolstering their businesses. There should be some aggressive fighting for contracts, especially when Huawei and ZTE have been fighting for market share outside of China.

For more about China's 3G plans:
- read this Unstrung article

Related stories:
- Analyst: China's 3G still years away. See this China 3G story
- China to begin home-grown 3G technology trial. See this TD-SCDMA story
- China continues to hedge on 3G. See this 3G in China story

Femtocell announcements bring market momentum; questions still remain

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

A few big announcements in the femtocell arena this week should give this market some good momentum. First, Qualcomm made a significant yet unknown investment in ip.access' Oyster 3G system, which uses the residential broadband connection to deliver a 3G signal in the home. The move is seen as validating the femtocell concept, especially since Qualcomm is so adept at making the right technology investments.

The Femto Forum also came to an agreement on a standard way femtocells should connect with the mobile core network. The agreement is welcome news as a number of vendors have come up with their own connection standards. Since femtocells are expected to take on various forms with differing capabilities serving different market segments, no operator wants to be locked into a single type of home base station. That fear has discouraged some operators from making the leap from trial to soft commercial launches.

Moreover, picoChip unveiled its first reference designs for LTE femtocells and picocells, which will enable the company's existing femtocell customers--which include ip.access and Ubiquisys--to upgrade to LTE. That's important because it has been suggested that LTE/4G femtocells could be the starting point for 4G deployments. Operators could actually begin their 4G deployment in the customer's home and 3G as the fallback network.

Of course, at least two big unknowns remain: marketing and cost. Will operators market the service as a boon for voice or data? How does one create a clear message around the femtocell market given its own value propositions? Why would I, as a consumer, need another box in my house? How fast can vendors drive down the price of such a nascent technology? At what price will the service attract a mass number of users? The questions are still numerous at this point.

Continuing with the femtocell theme, check out a preview of the latest Industry Voices article from Maravedis below. FierceBroadbandWireless will be featuring a monthly column from Maravedis analysts Adlane Fellah and Robert Syputa. Maravedis is a research and analysis firm focusing on Broadband Wireless technologies including WiMAX, 802.20, TD-CDMA and Wireless Local Loop Systems. For more information, see www.maravedis-bwa.com. --Lynnette

P.S.--Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, FierceBroadbandWireless will be delivered to your inbox on Tuesday, May 27. Enjoy the holiday weekend.

AT&T looks to roll out HSPA in time for 3G iPhone

Thu, 22 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

AT&T says it is nearly finished with its HSUPA network deployment with six more markets to go. The operator expects to have its HSUPA deployment finished by next month. AT&T says that the technology will give subscribers uplink speeds between 500 Kbps and 800 Kbps. Download speeds are in the 1.4 Mbps range.

The timing of AT&T's HSUPA network completion is key because June is when the 3G iPhone is expected to make its debut. In fact, GizModo is reporting 3G iPhone will launch June 9 or shortly thereafter. Originally it was thought the 3G version would be introduced in June but not available until year-end. HSUPA will give iPhone users access to much faster network speeds than the current iPhone, which uses AT&T's EDGE data network. AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega recently indicated that AT&T will have a time-to-market advantage over WiMAX with its HSUPA technology because HSUPA Release 7 will give the company 7 Mbps to 20 Mbps data speeds within the next two years.

For more:
- see this press release

Related stories:
AT&T: HSPA will provide 20 Mbps data speeds. See this story on AT&T's HSPA plans
AT&T CTO HSDPA progressing, HSUPA in test phase. See this story on AT&T's HSPA deployment