Qualcomm continues to lose the war over patents with Broadcom. U.S. President George W. Bush has announced he will not overturn a June ruling by the International Trade Commission banning the importation of cell phones housing chips infringing Broadcom patents. Qualcomm, however, is determined not to give up the fight. Aside from preparing an appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, the firm has teamed up with its clients and operators to devise new software that would sidestep the patent. “We will pursue all legal and technical options available to us to minimize the impact of the ITC order on consumers, our customers and the entire wireless industry,” said Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs.
Broadcom is obviously happy with Bush’s decision. “This decision strengthens the intellectual property rights of all U.S. companies, not just Broadcom,” remarked David A. Dull, Broadcom’s senior vice president and general counsel. “And (it) sends a clear message to all those who would seek to escape the consequences of their patent infringement. In upholding the ITC remedy, the administration is also encouraging a market-based solution to patent issues that is in the best interests of American consumers, U.S. companies and global patent protection.”
Via [news.com.com]
Continue reading ‘Qualcomm Cell Phone Ban To Take Effect’
Juneau, Alaska residents can now avail of wireless WiMax-based broadband Internet service from AT&T Inc.’s subsidiary AT&T Alascom for $19.95 per month. The company said it is its first venture as part of a statewide plan to broaden broadband coverage via WiMax. The Juneau network will use Alvarion Ltd. equipment and will blanket the Douglas, Lena Point and Mendenhall Valley areas. It is expected to deliver downstream and upstream speeds of up to 1 Mbps. Coverage is likely to include more Alaskan communities later this year and next year.
Via [computerworld.com]
Continue reading ‘AT&T Lights Up WiMax In Juneau’
Earthlink has abandoned its original business strategy for municipal wireless networks. “We’re also beginning a dialog with the municipalities that we’ve partnered with, and that we’re considering partnering with,” said Earthlink President and CEO Rolla P. Huff. “The Wi-Fi business as currently constituted will not provide an acceptable return … We’re going to look for municipal governments to step up and become a meaningful anchor tenant on completion of the build,” Huff added.
The review came amid contract negotiations with San Francisco, whose mayor, Gavin Newsom, voiced frustration over the hold-ups from the Board of Supervisors and revealed that the city lacks a back-up plan if Earthlink and Google withdraw from the project.
Muni-wireless expert Craig Settles said EarthLink’s announcement could bring “some sanity” in WiFi project talks. “If there’s hope for this industry, it’s that more cities will start serious benefit analyses within governments of the impact of muni wireless on operations, as well as conduct similar analyses within business, medical and education constituencies that could all be anchor tenants,” Settles remarked. “San Francisco, unfortunately, may not be demonstrating good judgment if they dismiss anchor tenancy out of hand unless they still have their sights on owning the network. I’m surprised — sort of — by the smaller cities that stomp their feet and pout like petulant kids, refusing to even discuss buying services because they think their cities deserve a free ride.”
Via [govtech.com]
Continue reading ‘Earthlink Shifts Municipal Wi-Fi Strategy’
The $800 million El Cajon Dam in Mexico reached completion early this year and a cutting-edge wireless voice and data communications helped made that possible. Raul Orozco, the IT and telecommunications director at the principal contractor of the dam, said the technology not only produced savings but also ensured the safety of workers — as many as 10,000 — during the four-year construction period. According to Orozco “there were no fatalities, a world record for a dam project like this,” and “some say that is because of the communications system.”
Cisco provided the $8 million data and voice system, which has Wi-Fi and mesh wireless components, as well unified communications technology, voice-over-IP phones linked to e-mail and other online functions, and core routing and switching over some wired links. The technology enabled for sharing of 3-D architectural models over the links among workers, dissemination of news and information, and efficient management of payroll needs.
Via [computerworld.com]
Continue reading ‘Building The El Cajon Dam With Wireless Communications’
Could computer wires become extinct soon? Scientists at the Georgia Electronic Design Center (GEDC) at Georgia Tech are looking at that possibility, with the use of extremely high radio frequencies. Prof. Joy Laskar, GEDC director and one of the lead researchers on the project, said the study aims to “maximize data throughput to make possible a host of new wireless applications for home and office connectivity.”
The research involves RF frequencies around 60 GHz, which anyone can freely use as they are unlicensed. So far, GEDC scientists have seen wireless data-transfer rates of 15 Gbps over a 1-meter distance, 10 Gbps at 2 meters and 5 Gbps at 5 meters. Laskar is optimistic that very rapid peer-to-peer data connections will emerge in the near future, possibly within two years. Such technology can benefit devices like external hard drives, laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, and commercial kiosks that need to transmit large data volume in seconds.
Via [gatech.edu]
Continue reading ‘Research Boosts Wireless Data Transfer’
Wi-Fi hackers have gotten more advanced and your private information is even more at risk. The recent Black Hat conference in Las Vegas featured a demonstration by Errata Security that detailed how a hacker can use new tools to steal your encrypted cookies and passwords and then control your online sessions.
Errata has combated this new hack threat with their own tools, Hamster and Ferret, which prevent attacks. It appears that the good guys are following closely behind the bad guys but they’re still slightly behind and all Wi-Fi users need to be careful.
Via [securecomputing.net.au]
Continue reading ‘New Tools Found For Wi-Fi Hacking’
AirCell and American Airlines have just announced that they will be testing broadband services beginning in 2008. The goal is to enable passengers to use their laptops, PDAs, iPhones and BlackBerrys, and portable gaming systems.
AirCell is the leader in global airborne communications and its products are found in many commercial airplanes. In 2006 AirCell won the FCC’s exclusive broadband frequency license which gives them a unque air-to-ground network, making in-flight high-speed broadband service is possible.
American Airlines is very excited about this possibility and says that its customers list broadband access as one of their top wishes for future flights.
Continue reading ‘AirCell And American Airlines to Launch In-Flight Wi-Fi Service Over U.S.’
Rural residents may finally get the respect and attention they deserve from the communication giants. AT&T recently purchased Dobson Communications for $2.8 million and created some waves among rivals as they too race to develop this previously ignored market.
Verizon responded by striking a deal to purchase Rural Cellular for an approximate value of $2.67 billion. The deal gives Verizon a slew of benefits including first dibs at 15 rural markets, more than 700,000 new customers, 4.7 million licensed points of presence and a joint venture with Vodafone.
Residents in these areas will finally get a broader range of voice and data services.
Via [internetnews.com]
Continue reading ‘Rural Market Worth $2.67B To Verizon Wireless’
Mobile WiMax is set to begin a battle with Wi-Fi and 3G networks in the UK. Nortel is pairing with Urban WiMax and Macropolitan to lead the way in this new venture.
The companies recently held a conference between the UK, Canada and the US using this technology on their laptops. Other trials are expected to follow.
In this situation timing is everything as the British Office of Communications is currently planning an auction of spectrum which could be used to convey mobile WiMax and other wireless technologies.
The first products to hit the market may come as early as the end of 2007 but a greater influx is expected by the end of 2008.
Via [computerworlduk.com]
Continue reading ‘Ofcom Spectrum Auction To Spark UK Mobile WiMax Scramble’
