NetStumbler.com

Verizon Opens Up, Will Support Any Device, Any App On Its Network

Kristin Abraham — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:45:00 +0000

Verizon has joined the bandwagon and announced a new open access plan for its network. This plan will go into effect next year and means any application can run on any device from any manufacturer and will have full access to the Verizon spectrum.

Verizon representatives say this move was prompted by two different motives, the first being more sophisticated customer needs and the second is an explosion in innovation. They are hoping to see an wave of wireless devices flood the market in more arenas than the traditional handset market.

Some speculate that this decision is tied to the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction, Verizon denies this was their motivation but the timing couldn’t be more coincidental.
Via [arstechnica.com]

Google May Get Its Open-access Wishes After All; Will Bid In 700MHz Auction

Kristin Abraham — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 01:33:33 +0000

The much anticipated 700MHz spectrum auction in January officially has another bidder. Google has announced that it will toss its hat in the ring.

A Google representative says that the company’s goal is to offer American consumers more choices in an open and competitive wireless world. Officially, Google doesn’t have to announce its plans until December 3rd so until then speculations abound.

Some say Google has no interest in becoming a network provider, others look to the previously proposed four open access provisions, or possibly they will lease space to others. Nothing is certain at this point except that when Google does make its plans known it will create a nationwide buzz.
Via [arstechnica.com]

CBS Offers Midtown Manhattan Free Wireless Internet Access

Kristin Abraham — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:12:11 +0000

CBS has just made an announcement that is sure to delight New Yorkers. From Times Square to Central Park and from 6th to 8th Avenue will become the new CBS Mobile Zone. This zone will carry free Wi-Fi for cell phones, laptops and other devices that want to access the internet or even make voice over internet phone calls.

In return, CBS gets ad impressions, tons of them. Visitors to the region will be greeted with a sponsored homepage with hyperlocal news and information for people within the specified area.

CBS Outdoor Chairman and CEO, Wally Kelly, explains that this is just one example of how CBS is dedicated to turning Outdoor assets into next-generation interactive platforms.
Via [centernetworks.com]

Can WiMax Make It In The U.S.?

Kristin Abraham — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:00:56 +0000

The deal struck between Sprint Nextel and Clearwire back in July has been scrubbed and the national WiMAX network took a hit. Both companies say they will continue to work on the technology independently.

Although both companies appear committed to developing WiMAX, their shareholders may actually hold the reins as huge sums of money are necessary to go forward.

Manufacturers of WiMAX equipment feel the technology is still sound and they plan to go ahead with device creation, it just may take longer for the technology to take hold. AAA So, the future of WiMAX is uncertain, it may be better suited for emerging markets than the U.S., only time will tell.
Via [news.com]

Clearwire, Sprint Call Their Deal Off

Kristin Abraham — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:42:59 +0000

The recent departure of Sprint CEO, Gary Forsee, is having some far reaching impact. The WiMAX build out between Sprint Nextel and Clearwire is the latest victim as the proposed joint, nationwide WiMAX effort has been dropped.

Sprint’s corporate shake up was not the only reason the proposed venture was nixed,the complexities of the transaction were also cited as a stumbling block. So that leaves the American WiMAX project in a bit of a conundrum, do Sprint and Clearwire go out and forge independent networks or will new bonds form?

In the meantime, WiMAX is progressing nicely overseas, proving that they technology is valid and workable.
Via [gigaom.com]

High-speed Wireless Video Transfers 100X Faster Than WiFi On Tap

Kristin Abraham — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:56:21 +0000

IBM has joined forces with MediaTek to develop microprocessor chipsets that will wirelessly transmit videos almost instantly.

These chipsets will let you connect HDTVs with set top boxes without the need for wires. They will also transfer data at rates of at least 100 times that of current WiFi standards.

This new technology, mmWave wireless, is expected to be used widely in homes and offices.
Via [networkworld.com]

WiMAX Is 3G

Kristin Abraham — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 16:22:04 +0000

WiMAX has a reason to celebrate. The International Telecommunications Union has just approved the non-cellular technology as part of a 3G standard. This means that operators with 3G spectrum in their 2.5 GHz bands globally can use WiMAX to build out a spectrum.

The last interface added was back in 1999 when ITU added IMT-2000 as it established the original technologies. IMT-2000 and five other cellular standards had to be used in the 3G standard, now the door is open to WiMAX.

But all is not rosey for WiMAX, the debate between technologies is far from over.
Via [wirelessweek.com]

Wi-Fi Health Study Gets Go Ahead

Kristin Abraham — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:57:14 +0000

The BBC has announced that the Health Protection Agency is going to begin a systematic research program on how WiFi is used. The goal of this study is to determine how WiFi is being used and the possible radiation exposure that results from such use.

Spokesmen from the HPA believe that the study will confirm the safety of using WiFi, but feel that since England’s Chief Medical Officer suggested children limit their non-essential cell phone use due to potential exposure to radiation that a study into the radition emmissions of WiFi was the next logical step.

Results of the study will be publicly available, but officials reinforce their belief that WiFi is safe.
Via [bbc.co.uk]

WiMAX Backers Positioning 802.16e As An Alternative To Municipal WiFi

Kristin Abraham — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 10:04:11 +0000

Chicago’s WiMAX World show displayed a large rift between Mobile WiMAX supporters and municipal WiFi.

With continued problems halting all progress in the municipal WiFi world, WiMAX supports say they have the solutions. They contend that their licensed spectrum will guarantee continuous coverage and that indoor reception will not be as problematic as it is for WiFi.

But all is not rosy in the world of WiMAX, hardware is a huge problem. Every laptop has built-in support for 802.11b/g and will soon have 802.11n, this won’t be the case for WiMAX for quite some time, several years at least.

Right now all eyes are on Sprint and their pricing of Xohm. A reasonable price point may make or break a WiMAX solution for the masses.
Via [arstechnica.com]

Silicon Valley Wireless Nears Crunch Time

Kristin Abraham — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 09:22:35 +0000

Another massive wireless network has fallen behind schedule, this time the location is California’s Silicon Valley. About 40 municipalities over a 1500 square mile area are still in negotiations but representatives have said that the model should be completed by the end of the year.

So far the delay has been blamed on technological improvements and changes and the deeply complex process of covering multiple technologies and different services. This may be so, but the template agreement is still not finalized and even when finally done, it still needs to go to individual municipalities for some tweaking.

Like the struggling citywide Wi-Fi in other cities across the country, their plan is very ambitious and progress is slow.
Via [infoworld.com]