Sprint Might be Winner If ATT Occupation of T-Mobile

If you didn't already know by now, ATT made a surprised bid to gobble up T-Mobile for $39 billion. And after a couple for bloggers, tech pundits, and myself to digest all the information, here is where many stand.

Regulators will have to look at this very carefully. Competitors will make demands. Politicians will chime in with their usual buffoon-ish manners. Consumer advocates will have their day that is like going to be ignored.

Right now, the meat is fresh and bloody and everyone will wait a piece of this in the morning. Dozens of blog posts and online newspaper articles have already been written about this.

And Sprint had already had its say. But let me offer this opinion about the deal with respect to Sprint.

Earlier, as I sat thinking about this, I said to myself that if ATT takes away from me the better deals and options that T-Mobile now has, regardless of whether I am taking advantage of it or not, I'll head on over to Sprint.

So there. If ATT does bungle this deal by alienating current T-Mobile customers like myself who have been happy with things the way they are, we will head on over to the no. 3 mobile provider who offers WiMax and competitive plans/options.

In the end, Sprint may benefit to some extent. Sprint has to continue to be aggressive and now may be a great time for it to launch an offensive campaign for the hearts and minds of confused (betrayed) T-Mobile subscribers.

However, keep in mind that no one knows just how this deal, when and not if it will go through, is going to look like when it is finally wrapped up. Though I am not hopeful, one such as myself hopes that T-Mobile will have a better influence on ATT and not all the bad things and worst case scenarios will come to pass.

More important than regulators, it will be the bloggers with legions of readers who can shape how this deal takes place. And we will work hard to make sure that if politicians allow themselves to be bought and a bigger badder ATT is looking out to screw more users, we will point to other options as best as we can.

Clue On Who's Getting The iPhone Next: T-Mobile Disses iPhone Carriers But Sprint Doesn't (Second Sprint Post Today)

I don't write a lot about Sprint because it kind of chugs a long but doesn't do much else exciting. And it's on WiMax so it like it is off to one side doing its own thing. So here is the 2nd Sprint post of the day.

And ironically, I am writing about what Sprint isn't doing. While T-Mobile is off dissing the networks that the iPhone runs on on TV and Web commercials, Sprint doesn't seem to say much of anything else about CDMA iPhone.

After all, Sprint's WiMax is faster than what Verizon and ATT's 3G networks. So it has just as much marketing weapon as T-Mobile.

So I wonder if this is indicative of who is getting the iPhone and who isn't? About fourteen months before Verizon go the iPhone 4, it did the same thing with some cute animations.

At this point, I am just not hopeful that my network will be getting the next iPhone. And if Sprint is supposed to get the CDMA iPhone next, it would not make sense to diss a phone that it might be getting next.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Prediction: Sprint To Do Smart Thing and Move to LTE (First of Two Sprint Posts Today)

There has been talk that Sprint is nearing a deal with Clearwire on use of its WiMax network. All along, there was also talk that Sprint might try to find an LTE route. I think they are more than posturing. Sprint really has to go LTE eventually. That’s my prediction.

Heck, even Clearwire will do that as well because in the US, it just makes sense to do that.

First of all, if Sprint stays with WiMax, it will effectively be isolated, more so than T-Mobile for years to come. And though T-Mobile’s 3G network doesn’t worth with virtually anyone else’s in the US, it is still a GSM network, a vastly more popular network than CDMA and WiMax.

And from what execs at both Sprint and Clearwire has indicated in the past, transitioning from WiMax to LTE is financially feasible. As a matter of fact, Clear has “clearly” started work on that as far back as fall 2010. These things take time but I do see it happen.

So I suspect that more than just about financial terms, Clear and Sprint might have come to an understanding that they’ll work towards LTE in the next couple of years. Also, Sprint has provided clues in recent weeks about their LTE future.

And the momentum is building in that direction.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

AT&T: You Suck And You're Gonna Get Hit So Hard When iPhone 5 Comes Out

For years, we suffered at the hands of ATT's draconian rule because they were the only one we can get the iPhone from.  But it was not just the bad signals, dropped calls, and lies but it was also the stupid charges here and there.

My credit card was compromised back in December.  It was also used for auto-pay for our iPhone accounts as well as our T-Mobile plans.  After reporting suspicious activities on there, all charges to the card were stopped.

Now, maybe it was my bad that I didn't update the information with all the companies I use that card to make payments with but all of them were understandable about one missed payment that was quickly rectified once I received e-mail notifications.  

Except one.  You got it.  Our iPhone overlord, ATT.  Not only that, they proceeded to charge me $40 for some kind of penalty.  Seriously, WTF?!

All I know is that we're moving away from ATT for all things.  I'm happy with my WiMax access and my security company can use other means to contact my home security system.  Adios, ATT for home use.  And certainly, ATT can say good bye to our business lines.  I am just itching to call them up and rid my life of this horrible company.

And I am sure a lot of my fellow mobile users are the same boat.  And you know what, we might just see some preview of the mass exodus when Apple releases the iPad 2 next week.  We'll see how many people sign up with Verizon instead of ATT.  It's too bad because I really like T-Mobile and I would certainly move our iPad plan over to T-Mobile and cancel my ATT access. 

Because ATT sought fit to screw me over $40 for a late charge that no one else is, they stand to lose over $55K in combined services over 12 months I've gotten rid of and and will soon be.  In the grand scheme of things, it's not much to a multi-billion dollar company but the thing is, I'm not the only one. 

No matter what Wall Street is saying about ATT's stock, I, for one, will not be buying into it in the coming months.

Mobile Payment Is Coming In A Big Way

The mainstream media has not caught on to it yet and I've talked about it here from time to time. But be prepared to be bombarded with tons of media reports, blogs, tweets, and e-mails about it in the coming weeks or months.

At week at the Mobile World Congress, near field communication, NFC, was being talked about as if it is the next holy grail of mobile. And to a follower of mobile happenings like myself, this is a big thing. In as few words as possible, NFC allows payments be made through mobile devices.

Think of this as what you can already do at Starbucks. You can order and pay through the app. Well, this will happen in a much much better way. There are a couple of devices on the market with NFC capability, specifically, Google's Nexus S. But as with some technology, being first doesn't mean much.

However, it is largely expected that Apple's next iOS hardware updates, including the next iPhone, will support mobile payment. And I expect an explosion of next generation Android devices to support this as well.

I really recommend reading up on it because just about everyone from your bank, credit card, wireless providers, and hardware companies will be getting in on this lucrative new business. Oh, and retailers would love this as well.

Also, there are also security concerns you'll need to be aware of.

So get ready media and ad blitz coming our way. I'll be devoting much much more attention than I have in the past. I started talking about almost two years ago, pointing the ease that the Japanese users have been able to enjoy with paying through their cell phones for years.

It'll be our turn soon.

WiMax in Big Cities - SF & NYC

Consider how hard Clearwire had been working on getting WiMax ready against T-Mobile's supercharged HSPA+ and Verizon's LTE, I still wonder why there are still no WiMax in many of the major cities.

Well, wonder no more. San Francisco is getting ready to be turned out while just a bit ago, I learned that New York City's WiMax access is live.

So what about LA where I live? I can only hope that we will soon follow. Personally, I am angling for a mifi instead of an EVO or Epic.

Sure, I can wait for LTE from Verizon which promises to be faster than WiMax. But I would rather go with a T-Mobile wireless data plan since I am a long time customer but I have not heard a peep about a mifi solution from them (they offer three USB modem sticks). And I have not considered Verizon Wireless because of their perpetual evilness and I just don't think they'll will have as compelling plans as Clearwire. Oh and ATT isn't even in the game at all.

So I guess I have no choice but to wait. And it better be freaking worth it. Plus, I am in the midst of my no-wireless experiment.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPod touch

Wireless Access On Public Transportation (In Shanghai)

One of the thing that I can't get in riding city trains is the lack of wireless Internet access be it. I can get 3G on my G1 or iPhone but good luck with that when going through dead spots or tunnels. Hey, that's life right?

Well, looks like Shanghai's maglev train (you know, the fastest in the world at 250 miles per hour, yeah, that one) will be getting LTE service. So, Huawei's Australian arm is given the contract to make it happen. How are they doing? 20Mbit/s download.



After reading the post, I want it. Actually, I want both the maglev train and LTE service but I don't want to be too greedy. Just give me wifi access on typical metro rides. I don't think that's too much to ask is it? As a matter of fact, train officials can entice more riders if they offer Internet connectivity. They offer free Internet for monthly ticket holders or at a reduced access rate for access.

I'd go for that if I have the need to ride the train on a more regular basis.

More at Daily Wireless.

Note: The ironic thing is that Australia doesn't have trains this fast so by the time they have it, LTE access should be no problem.

Death Of Unlimited Wireless Internet - Hope Not

Those of us who are fortunately enough to have relatively unlimited wireless Internet, and I say relative because our definition of unlimited is not the same as those of wireless providers, we need to remember these days when we tell our grandchildren about them. Because like ATT, Verizon Wireless (VW) is looking to rid themselves of us freeloaders and institute a similar pricing and limitation on data like Ma Bell.

How will this play out?

T-Mo Introduces 4G-Like Speed But Ma Bell Sayz Hold On A Sec

Talk about an East Coast biase, T-Mobile. It appears many of their HPSA+ rollouts are on the East Coast? How about giving us some love here?

Not only are we on the West Coast not getting any kind of a nod, T-Mobile is arousing our desire for faster wireless access by using words like "4G Speeds From T-Mobile Now Broadly Available".

Of course, not all mobile warriors know that HPSA+ isn't 4G. The optimal speed of HPSA+ is 21Mbps. That's pretty damn fast but it's not 4G. Still, I won't be complaining once T-Mobile decides the cell towers around me starts giving me HPSA+ love.

But with my G1, that's not gonna happen but that's my problem.

Now, ATT isn't too keen on T-Mobile's declaration. And I kinda agree. Its concern is that we might be led astray by the mention of 4G when, in fact, T-Mobile has no plans for LTE, WiMax, or any other 4G network that we know of.

Okay, ATT isn't saying all this because they care. The reason is selfish. ATT will no longer have the fastest 3G network once T-Mobile completes its HPSA+ network upgrade. On top of that, ATT will be slow to upgrade their 3G network while their LTE network won't be around for another 18 months.

Regardless, competition is grand and T_mobile isn't after ATT here. It's Sprint and its WiMax network that T-Mobile is gunning for with those 4G words.

Hopefully, this will light a fuse under the carriers to double time their 3G upgrade and 4G network buildout.

More at Gizmodo, CNet

LTE - It's Gonna Be A Slow Build-Up

We're going see very little about it until late 2010 from Verizon and AT&T is still talking about HSPA 7.2, which is still MIA.

So, we will hear a lot about it. Mostly chest thumping by Verizon Wireless in the United States. Maybe a bit from AT&T when they realized they need to talk up their 4G plans as well.

However, given the amount of time that has taken for Clearwire, its main partner, Sprint, and others to get things going is clearly not a good sign as far as LTE goes. And still, Sprint has not managed to bring WiMax to many of the major markets, though they did assert a few like SF, LA, and Miami will be getting WiMax soon.

Meanwhile, I'm hoping my current provider, T-Mobile, will truly come through with HSPA+ which can provide up to 20mbps.

I recommend to my fellow mobile warriors that the stigma against the third and fourth place wireless providers, Sprint and T-Mobile respectively, should at the very least be put on hold and take another look at these two scrappy companies that came out of CTIA a couple of weeks ago swinging and hitting it out of the park while VW and AT&T thought it was enough to just talk.

As the saying goes, talk is cheap but these two number one and two providers are gonna find out that if they don't get going on faster wireless speeds, and stop talking about rationing wireless access, their words are gonna get an awful lot more expensive come 2011 and beyond.

Telecom Conference Ends But Surprising; WiMax Dominated

Verizon. Hey, AT&T. It was Sprint. Yeah, it was Sprint that hit you. Oh, and while you were down, it was T-Mobile that kick sand in your face.

While Verizon and AT&T were talking. Just talking, Sprint "sprints" on and put more distance between it and the rest of the field. It remains in 3rd place but no one is saying that is isn't trying.

First, WiMax will be coming to additional markets, including some big ones: Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and about another dozen major cities. No more small towns in Texas, thank you very much.

Oh, Evo? Not "evil". HTC EVO, the first Wimax, 4G, -ready handset. It runs Android, has a huge 4.3" screen (Droid at 3.7", iPhone 3GS at 3.5'), and it's ready for video-conferencing with front facing camera. Okay, there have been other handsets with webcams but none of them run on a 4G network.

What has AT&T and Verizon been talking about? Nothing new. Innovation this. Innovation that. Nothing new. A lot of trash talking if that. Oh, they're waiting for more wireless spectrum.

Meanwhile, Sprint is telling everyone all is good and they've got enough bandwidth for everyone. Including, it appars, video conferencing.

Now about T-Mobile? HSPA+ is almost ready and it's going to be turned on in a matter of months. And they claim it is comparable to WiMax. We'll see if that pans out. Nevertheless, for the 4th place carrier, that came late to the 3G party, it has certainly made strides. HSPA+ will be up and running in about 100 cities in 2010.

Meanwhile, AT&T continued to talk over everyone but provided no firm dates on LTE and, for that matter, when iPhone tethering would be available. As far as matching T-Mobile's HSPA+, AT&T isn't going to try. It's CTO was talking about HSPA 7.2 - theoretically maxing out at 7.2mbps.

This is good I suppose. CEO of Deutsche Telekom, parent company, of T-Mobile USA stated he was looking to have the iPhone on T-Mobile's network later this year or early next year. I'm currently with T-Mobile. Guess who I'm rooting for.

As for Verizon Wireless, the largest wireless provider in terms of the number of subscribers, is trying to move to LTE as fast as it can. Second place AT&T can afford to wait it out a bit, as can T-Mobile, but VW cannot. Even now, it has the slowest 3G speed of the big four.

VW is placing it 4G bet on LTE. It hopes to have LTE up and running in 25-30 cities, covering 100 million users by the end of 2010. In real world terms, expect half that number.

This is where we are and where we can expect for the rest of 2010. Sprint and T-Mobile will be playing offense while AT&T and VW play defense for the wireless market. Coming out of CTIA, you can feel a shift how these four providers are perceived.

It is entirely conceivable that AT&T will end 2010 with the slowest wireless broadband network while Sprint chomps away at the end of the market that demands speed with T-Mobile cleaning up.

What's the immediate impact on mobile warriors? On the hardware front, I am drooling over the potential of the HTC EVO and how others, including Apple will try to catch up to what is obviously another major shift in the mobile market.

On the wireless broadband front, who doesn't like speed. Sprint and T-Mobile aren't talking about rationing or tiered access while At&T and Verizon, well, continue to talk. See, this is why we need competition. We are going to see major speed increase in the second half of 2010. With this extra bandwidth, we are likely to see apps that will take advantage of the increased speed.

For now, we wait until that happens.

More at Yahoo News. A most read that pretty summarizes some of my thoughts.

Fees, LTE, And Billions For Good Apps, And One More Thing

There's something big that's happen today in the mobile world but I don't seem to remember what it can be. We've got the Nexus One already. Something about Facebook being the most visited mobile social site? No, that's not it. Zune phone? No, that's in March or something.

Oh, I remember now. It's the SOTU address tonight and you can watch it on your iPhone or iPod Touch if you download the White House app (onxo:  government mobile). For the rest of you mobile warriors, you can listen to the President's address tonight on radio, your mobile devices via NPR, or do it old-school: watch it on your Flash-enabled browser.

By the way, a few mobile news everyone's gonna want to be interested in. By 2013, mobile apps will account for $15 billion dollars of mobile revenue. So, for anyone who has a fart app or, rather, something slightly more useful, there's a market for that.

However, I'm not sure that number is accurate. $15 billion based on 16.2 billion downloads. The research outfit that came up with this also assumes that 15% of the download will be paid. That's 2.43 billion apps that are actually paid for. That comes out to $6.17 per app. Obviously, they don't know about the major of the $.99 app in the iTunes app store. (Mobile-Ent)

Personally, I think a $3 average is more likely. That's put my estimate somewhere south of $7.5 billion. Still, not bad at all.

Also, the FCC is gunning for ATT, Google, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon on the exorbitant termination fees these guys are charging. Google and VW seems to think they ought to profit a bit more than what they would otherwise charge for selling the device outright.

Finally, CNet has a very good post on what's the state of the wireless network upgrade with various providers.  Lately, believe WiMax shows more promise than LTE given that 3G networks still have a lot of room to grow in terms of speed and stability.  Also, Clearwire has indicated that it isn't necessarily married to one particular technology.  I see a hybrid WiMax-LTE chip in the future, don't you?  (More at CNet)

Yeah, that's it for mobile news.  Still I think I'm forgetting something huge that's going to change the mobile world as we know it.  If I can only remember...see, I was so excited about it that I couldn't sleep last night.  And now, lacking sleep, I don't remember what it is.  Oh well, if I only had a tablet or a slate or a pad handy, I could have written it down in a form of a digital diary.

Maybe someone should develop just such a device.  Hey, Steve Jobs, boy, have I got a great idea for your next "...one more thing...".

WiMax $10 Cheaper (If You Can Get It)

For many of us, 4G is still a pipe dream.  Okay, no need for pipes but you understand what I mean.  LTE is still a year or two away while WiMax is coming, just not really to places near you or me.  However, Sprint is already dropping prices.

According to Fierce Wireless, Sprint is offer its 2nd $10 drop in the last 5 months.  So, now, it's $60 while it was $80 last summer.  So I ask you this.  Are you ready to go wireless for your exclusive wireless needs?

Let's take a look at this for a sec.  I've been going G1-tethering for my mobile wireless needs at a fast clip in the last couple of weeks.  With the Holidays and all and a trip last weekend, I was on the move quite a bit.  The G1 is great and all but it's no iPhone or not all that useful when I was trying to help a friend wrestle away his Facebook account from a hacker.

Well, I'm getting there as far as trying to go all wireless.  My needs are simple.  I use Hulu a couple of hours a day if that much.  Mostly, I'm writing or researching on the Web.  Occasionally, I download videos, music, and podcasts from iTunes.  I find myself more and more on the the i-devices.  So there really is no need for any 20mbps connections.

Now, I'm not saying I don't want that kind of speed.  I'm just saying I don't need that kind of speed most of the time.

Back to Sprint.  For $59.99 (plus the various hidden taxes/fees), you get "unlimited" 3G or 4G mobile use.  Not bad considering, right?  Way a sec.  There is some ambiguity with what "unlimited" is just like with all the other carriers.  There is a regular 3G plan that goes up to 5GB.

But it's really the 3G/4G plan we're talking about here.  4G offer unlimited usage, giving you 10Mbps and an wide average of 3-6Mbps.  But if you venture out of the WiMax coverage area, you're covered by up to 5GB of 3G use (which still gives you 7 700mb movies, 1,667 songs, 1.7 million emails).  All that information is on the broadband page.

What you will need is a modem.  Sprint offers the USB Modem U300 for free after instant savings and a $50 rebate (retail cost is $350).  Excellent deal if you ask me.  Sprint, in my book, has always been out there when it comes to offering good deals and experimenting with pricing schemes.  It also offers GPS navigation as well but I don't know if you have to pay extra.  I wager that you do.

Oh, and if you want to connect multiple devices, you'll have to get a Sprint-sanctioned routers that Sprint provides you the option of buying as you move along the check-out process.

So, how is Sprint doing this?  Because it loves us.  Or because Clearwire, its WiMax partner, has recently raised hundreds of millions for added expansion and it is moving into more lucrative cities.  Furthermore, Sprint is looking to lock up as many enterprise customers as possible.

Plus, there are two reasons why I'm excited about this.  When the Palm V came out, Palm offered  GPRS modem with a slow wireless Internet connection that had no reason to excite other than for mobile fanatics like myself.  It was also $59.99 a month as I recall.  And this is freakin' 4G, baby!  So, I'm thinking there's gonna be a lot of folks who will jump on this.  Also, Sprint is looking to ship out phones with WiMax support in 2010.  Oh, it's already 2010.  So soon.

Plus, there are rumblings about a certain deal that Sprint might strike with a certain large retail...alright, I'll come out and say it.  It's Walmart.  There's talk that Sprint and Walmart might set up WiMax towers to facilitate the 4G expansion.  That means more cities covered.  That means I might eventually get 4G in my area.

So, if you're fortunate enough to be living in an area with WiMax service, definitely give this deal a look.  I'm also betting that once LTE competition from Verizon and ATT becomes available in 2011, Sprint will likely grace us with additional price drops.

More at Sprint 4G, Fierce Wireless, Evdo Info

Rooting For WiMax

I'm rooting for WiMax. That means rooting for Sprint, Google-Intel-backed Clearwire, and anyone else involved in making equipment and gears to support the 4G network. And that's fine with me. I use Intel chips in my Macbook, I'm recently inducted into the exclusive club of Google Wave, and my first mobile service was with Sprint.

A lot has been said about LTE but WiMax for the moment seems to be taking the lead in global deployment while LTE networks are just beginning to come online. Where WiMax seems to be doing well is in Asia. Why is that significant?

While Western economies try to find their way out of the dark, even with signs of stabilization in the financial market, will still take years before the job market recovers and the masses feel good about their future. As an American, I like to think we're a scrappy bunch and we'll be alright. Still, it'll take time.

Meanwhile, Asian tigers continue to go gangbusters as they rely increasingly on the Chinese economy and less so on an US recovery. And as recovery takes place half way around the world from where I'm sitting, and WiMax is being deployed and demanded, I don't see how WiMax will go easily into the night once LTE networks come online.

Here are some statistics that point to the strength of WiMax and why investments by Sprint and Clearwire could pay off in the US:

• Motorola shipped its 10,000th WiMax access point (Wireless Weekly). That includes 35 contracts all over the world.
• WiMax equipment accounts for 40% of growth form the previous year (Daily Wireless).
• 4 Million customers worldwide with 45 new devices to support them.
• Android. Yes, not the iPhone. Android's flexibility could be WiMax's salvation and the Google backed OS could allow it to become the number one mobile OS in 5 years. Certainly, early support for WiMax could be a marriage made in heaven for the 4G network and the mobile platform.
• WiMax now available in Philly and Chicago. Previously, I had complained but understood why Sprint hasn't brought the network to bigger markets. Will, they have and will continue to surge forward, just ahead of Verizon Wireless' own 4G network.
• WiMax investment now pays off later in more ways than one. Aside from revenue, a software upgrade can turn the whole WiMax network to support LTE protocol.
• Tech island, Taiwan, will show off WiMax-enabled Taxi.
• Smartphones are beginning to appear on the market support the WiMax network. For instance, The Samsung Moment sports a 3.2 AMOLED touchscreen, full keyboard, 800Mhz CPU (that means fast!), and all for $179 (IntoMobile). Oh, and it's Android-based.

For folks reading Onxo for a while now, you might notice that I am high on T-Mobile and the iPhone (though I own just about every other mobile devices as well). One, T-Mobile isn't ATT, and iPhone, you have to admit (for those of you who can get pass the Apple biases), is second to none on the market right now. Still, I am not married to the network or platform. As a true mobile user, I'll gravitate towards the gears and tools that can best help me do my work.

And this is why I'm pulling for WiMax. It's likely to have a greater impact than pundits out there are willing to admit (because then they'll have to say they're wrong). Plus, having a competitive network in the world is good for the hundreds of millions of mobile warriors worldwide. And just maybe, we'll also see it in other major US markets even before LTE testing is completed.

And for all that I've said above about WiMax living off Asian nations, the US broadband is still one of the largest in the world and what happens here will matter as it is one large pie for developers, device makers, and platforms to support.

So, root for WiMax even if you're not Sprint customer. And who knows, if WiMax comes to your street, seriously, take a 2nd and 3rd look at it. VW is pushing hard for LTE but that's like a year away. And ATT? Right, 3G is still where they're sitting on right now. As for T-Mobile, well, we all know about the rumors of a Sprint buyout (which would be good because that means more cash for WiMax deployment) or cooperation with Sprint on 4G (which is also just as good because it also means more cash for WiMax depolyment).

WiMax Markets: Why It's Not Coming To You Just Yet

I want WiMax now.  Unfortunately, it's not coming to my neighborhood or does it appear to be in a list of cities Sprint and Clearwire will light up with 4G access.

I've noticed that they seem to be clustered in certain states.  Certain markets.  Northwest, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

I can think of a few reasons why this is the case.  One reason is cost.  New York, Los Angeles, and the Silicon Valley are not in the list of those cities.  Those are cities with high densities and likely greatest demands in terms of population.  The initial deployment costs will be huge.  

The biggest cities with WiMax so far are Las Vegas, Philly, and Atlanta.  The next major cities to be launched are Chicago, San Antonio, and Chicago.  The cities are bigger this second time around.  In the year it took for the WiMax network to be built out, cost have gone down quite a bit.

The second reason why Sprint brought WiMax to small to mid-sized cities is so that Sprint can more properly gauge interest and test the network.  The cost will be less than trying to start building out the network in major US city like New York.  

Also, by building small to start with, any issues can be isolated, tested, and rectified more easily.  Imagine trying to do that in a city the size of Los Angeles and as spread out.  And then imagine all the complaints and bad press that's likely to result from it.

My fear is that Verizon Wireless and ATT will likely follow this pattern.  However, given the pace of competition, and anywhere between $30-40 billion being spent on wireless networks, the LTE network will launch with more cities than when WiMax started with.  

T-Mobile Seeks Spectrum For Next Gen Network; Clearwire Software Upgrade Allows WiMax to LTE Switch

Last week, the telecom and wireless industry collectively lifted their eye brows and took notice of a piece of rumor that T-Mobile USA is interested in Sprint.  Immediately, folks started dismissing the notion and began to

However, more reports surfaced that T-Mobile USA was interested in spectrum for 4G deployment and the gov and Clearwire had the goods.  Perhaps a strategic partnership is what T-Mobile may be seeking but a complete buyout isn't necessarily out of the picture

In fact, as dedicated to WiMax Clearwire seems to be to the 4th generation wireless standard, the curious statement is that Clearwire isn't married to the standard.  It's stance has always been provide network neutral solution as its CEO Bill Morrow made clear.  And this is the interest part:   it is possible for wireless provider to switch from WiMax to LTE with a switch.

Alright.  Not as simple as a switch.  All they need to do is to update the software in the towers.  That's it.  Well, I'm guess that's not "it" since it will also take time for that to happen should Clearwire decide to go down that path.  I am guess that's because by the time they decide to do that, they would have thousands if not tens of thousands of subscribers.  I doubt those WiMax mobile warriors will be happy to suddenly have their services cut off.  I'm sure that won't happen.

However Clearwire makes that wireless standard switch if at all, such a partnership between T-Mobile and Clearwire could have immediate impact on mobile warriors.  Clearwire will have the resources of a big partner in T-Mobile USA's German parent company and T-Mobile users will be able to sleep better knowing T-Mobile has a roadmap to 4G.

More in Clearwire's option to switch from WiMax to LTE via software upgrade at PreCentral.  This fact came as a surprise to us but a welcoming one.

Just as there are issues with a T-Mobile-Sprint marriage, there will also be issues to deal with should Clearwire decide to make the switch from WiMax to LTE.  There are current subscribers they have to deal with.  My guess is any upgrade to LTE will allow for current WiMax users to made the lateral switch (I hesitate to use the word "upgrade) to LTE access.  That would mean upgrading handsets, access cards, and other devices.

One other complication is Sprint, which owns 51% of Clearwire.

But the benefits of this is clear for all mobile users.  And T-Mobile potentially leapfrogs over its other competitors, Verizon Wireless and ATT.

LTE Goes Live, For Testing, And A Surprise

In the US, the four major wireless providers are all on 3G.  Sprint "sprinted" ahead with WiMax in about 10 markets now and is continuing to race against time as Verizon Wireless tries to meet its self-imposed 2010 deadline to bring LTE (Long Term Evolution), its own 4G network, to its customers.

So, it was fantastic to hear that VW has successfully tested the LTE network in Seattle and Boston.  Each site has 10 LTE bases online.  The following tests were conducted:

• clocked in at 60Mbps
• based on 3GPP Release 8 standard
• Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson for base stations
• LG and Samsung offered trial devices, Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, and Qualcomm will eventually join device testing
• Nokia and Starent Networks offered network equipment
• Web browsing
• data calls
• streaming video
• file uploads and downloads
• and a big OMG to a successful VOIP call

VOIP.  That's Voice-over-IP.  Why is this signficant?  Right now, there is a lot of anger and frustration among mobile warriors who have had the wireless providers keep them from using their smartphones and mobile devices like the iPhone using Skype to make calls over their 3G data plan.

The reason is largely because the wireless providers, who also like to be known as benevolent gatekeepers, rely on voice plans for a large portion of their revenues and profits.  Services like Skype and Google Voice will disrupt the wireless market in ways that the wireless providers have no way of cooping.  

In fact, there was great uproar from the pundits and tech bloggers when ATT requested Apple reject Google's Google Voice app (and had existing GV apps pulled from the iTunes app store).  Why did ATT make such an unreasonable request?  First, it is only unreasonable to wireless consumers like you and me but to ATT, it makes a lot of sense.  Second, no one know what direction Google Voice will innovate.  And uncertain future is not something ATT and the other providers like.  Also, in the near term, GV offers user a telephone number and SMS service, texting, for free.  Texting is a multibillion dollar revenue stream for gatekeepers.  So, you get why ATT had Apple reject the official GV app for the iPhone.  

So, VW testing VOIP so early in its testing and making a point to mention it to the media seems very significant.  The exact quote from the press release is "Significantly, Verizon Wireless has successfully made data calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE 4G network".  This is not a case, as I had initially suspected, of the blogworld's irrational exuberance in reporting or reading into something that was not there.

Does this mean that VW is keeping its word about operating an open network?  Does this mean that they are working to incoporate VOIP into its services?  Perhaps but it bears watching.  VW can offer VOIP exclusively and lock out competing services like GV and Skype.  For now, Onxo is content that VW is looking forward instead of backward and hope that an "open" network truly means "open".

Some interesting facts about this development and its WiMax competition:

• VW hopes to have LTE running on the 700Mhz spectrum they won in last year's action in 30 markets.
• WiMax will be available in Seattle by the end of 2009.  Seattle is currently one of two markets where VW tested the LTE network.
• Clearwire, a venture between tech giants like Sprint, Intel, and Google, will have WiMax available to 30 million potential mobile warriors and 120 million (80 markets) by the end of 2010.  
• VW will have the whole country covered by 2013.  
• WiMax is available for $20 a month for a home service.  $30 A month for mobile access.

Clearly, this development is exciting.  And more clearly, VW has a lot of work to do while Sprint and Clearwire is using WiMax to take the lead in the next generation of wireless access race.  

Links:  Daily Wireless, TMC NEWS, Gizmodo, Verizon

Note:  We're a bit late in reporting on this as there have been quite a bit of other wireless news that went on.  But in waiting, we were able to get the bit about the VOIP test.  We'll know in time whether this was a significant development beyond a simple test.

Another Note:  Skype is offered on multiple networks but its VOIP service has been crippled to work only on Wi-Fi networks or not available at all.  Also in the interest of fairness, ATT is saying that it was Apple's decision to reject the GV app.  However, most folks including us believe ATT had a hand in it.  It was at ATT's request that Skype's VOIP function and Slingplayer's streaming work only through Wi-Fi access.  

Wireless Backhaul Capacity To Triple

An In-Stat research report found there will be a three fold increase for more capacity between now and 2013.  Seriously, this only confirms all the smartphones and mobile devices I see everywhere now.  I was at the supermarket and iPhones and Blackberries were everywhere.  Texting, reading, and doing who knows what mobilely.


According to the report, the following after key data that immediately stood out:

• WiMAX and LTE will require backhaul needs of 80-100 Mbps. Their deployments will increase the need for new backhaul solutions.
• While microwave will remain the most common last mile link medium, Ethernet is playing an increasing role in supporting backhaul needs for cellular and WiMAX networks.
• 90,000 Gbps of capacity in the last mile of the backhaul network will be needed by the end of 2013 to support the worlds cellular and WiMAX networks.
• In Asia/Pacific, the cellular backhaul last mile backhaul capacity for LTE will be 2,500 Gbps

I'm willing to bet that in 2010, these numbers In-Stat provided will likely be revised upward.  With billions at stake in hardware, software, and services, providers will be pressured to increase capacity as well as reliability.  I don't know if the report took into account the potential of IPTV, VOIP, video chats, and a couple of hundred of millions of subscribers who will eventually rely on their mobile devices to the friends, family, and the world at large.


And with services like WiMax that has a strong chance of service as a residence or business' main Internet gateway, G4 networks will play a greater role along side traditional Internet services like DSL and cable.


Source:  In-Stat

LTE Is 4G but 3G Still Dominates And Is Growing

Either through me or others, you probably heard about how the Japanese are living in mobile heaven.  Their whole lives revolved around their cell phones.  Some folks have more than one in Japan.  They watch TV on it.  They surf the web on it.  They pay for their transportation with their mobile phones.  Well, you are saying we do that now, except for the paying for public transportation part.

I thought the mobile providers like Docomo and Softbank are running on 5G or 6G networks by now.  That turned out to be not the case.  In fact, Japanese mobile providers are in the same boat US providers - looking to provide LTE in 2011 or 2012.  Softbank subscribers will not be able to count on LTE access until 2013 at the earliest.

Having said that, while a lot of insiders and bloggers are looking to LTE, there is a lot of life to 3G left.  Only 11% of the global wireless subscribers are on 3G.  And by 2013, that will go up to 28%.  That sounds about right given in the US, ATT is struggle to keep up with demand upgrading to a higher speed while T-Mobile's network launched in late 2008 is still being built out.

Oh, and WiMax is ahead with 9 networks deployed worldwide, mainly in Asia.  In the US, Sprint and Clearwire are in a race to get their networks up and running before Verizon Wireless gets the ball rolling on LTE in the second half of 2010.

The figures and network deployment are from an e-mail summary.  For the full report and $3,995, you can get it here.

So, we're in a good shape in the US, right?  All things cool in Asia since they live in a mobile mecca?  The Middle East and Eastern Europe are looking to WiMax.

Not quite.  If you've been with me in the last year, I've called out the wireless providers, particular American ones, who want to be our "mobile gatekeepers".  What they want is to nickel and dime us to death.  And as is their business model, they're trying to milk every single penny out of their network before having to upgrade.

I just think they're evil.  For mobile warriors who disagree with me, I respect that and understand the other side of this argument.  I just think these guys are just using excuses to hinder open access and innovation.  I'm not big on government intervention but this is one area where I like to see some FCC actions.

Wherever you are when you read this, education, science, and commerce are increasingly reliant on wireless technologies.  The faster your region, or here in America, can deploy affordable wireless access to the masses, the quicker and better a society can be prepared for the future.

Just a thought.

As it stands now in the US, ATT is looking to upgrade its 3G network to 7.2Mbps and eventually 21Mbps. Sprint and Verizon seems content with their current deployment.  Verizon will get going withe LTE in the 2nd half of 2010 while Sprint is working on WiMax.  T-Mobile is currently digesting its brand new 3G network so I'm not hopeful they're even thinking about a 4G network.

Note:  Think EDGE is dead?  There are two 2G networks currently being deployed somewhere on this planet.

ATT Is In Trouble - VW And T-Mobile Should Capitalize

ATT was booed at Apple's WWDC 2009 during the keynote.  Why?  From the iPhone user perspective, ATT will not be able to deliver critical network functions that are key points in Apple's new iPhone 3.0.

When the Apple-ATT partnership started, things couldn't be better for the two parties.  But with 3G network issues and now the letdown with network support for the new iPhone, things couldn't be worse for ATT.

And ATT will be forced to trying and keep its iPhone exclusivity as a defensive measure (More at Onxo Gadgets).

So, what is next for the wireless giants?  First, let me be clear.  I detest these wireless providers for the way the treat us so I don't care whether they get screwed over by the handset makers or by each other.  So, it is obvious that the other guys should do what they can to disrupt the Apple-ATT alliance.

For now, it seems like ATT and Verizon Wireless seems to be focusing in knocking Sprint out of the game.  First Verizon's CEO made a public statement that VW will get the Pre in six months (which Sprint denied but Palm has not said a word).  Then this Monday, Apple launched the new iPhone 3G S at $199 (the Pre is $299, $199 after rebate) and placed the original iPhone 3G at $99.

But it's also a perfect time for VW to go after ATT by trying to get Apple out of its camp.  And VW can do that by bring LTE to the market in a timely manner and convince Apple not to extend its iPhone exclusivity deal with ATT.

After all, conventional wisdom is that the subscribers tolerate ATT only because of the iPhone.

Then there is also T-Mobile USA.  Apple already deals with T-Mobile, the parent company.  Perhaps, T-Mobile USA should be doing what it can to capitalize on any rift between Apple and ATT.  If Apple wanted to bring the iPhone to another network in the US, T-Mobile is obviously the easier route to go. And Apple has said that it doesn't like CDMA.

If Apple does offer the iPhone 3G with T-Mobile, there are hundreds of thousands if not millions who would jump ship and go with T-Mo in a heartbeat.  At $99.  At $149.  Even at $199.  If this were to happen, for once, T-Mobile (my current network) can put the hurt on ATT and Verizon Wireless at the same time.

Note:  I did leave Sprint out of the equation.  Sprint isn't GSM nor is it Verizon.  Sprint's strength will lie in how quickly it can get a national WiMax network to as many major cities before Verizon's LTE network has time to mature.