Ericsson and Qualcomm are to blame for keeping WiMAX deployments in the 2.5 GHz band from happening in Brazil, charges Jose Luiz Frauendorf, executive director with Neotec, an organization that represents Brazil's licensed MMDS (multichannel multipoint distribution service) operators.
According to a report in telecoms.com, Neotec is still fighting with Brazil's telecoms regulator Anatel and now the Brazilian Congress is becoming involved, thanks to the lobbying efforts of Ericsson and Qualcomm. Brazil's 3G operators reportedly fear that since they paid billions for their licenses, MMDS operator would gain an unfair advantage if they were allowed to offer high-speed mobile services via 802.16e deployments.
Anatel must certify telecoms equipment before it can be commercially deployed in Brazil, and it hasn't certified 802.16e equipment. Frauendorf charges Anatel with being overly influenced by Ericsson and Qualcomm. The WiMAX Forum has indicated Brazil is a top priority for adoption of the technology and has also actively been involved in lobbying efforts.
For more:
- see telecoms.com [1]
Related articles:
CTIA: Broadband stimulus, evolved packet core and more [2]
WiMAX deployments hit hard [3] by economic downturn
Links:
[1] http://www.telecoms.com/11766/ericsson-qualcomm-blocking-wimax-in-brazil-says-neotec
[2] http://www.fiercewireless.com/ctialive/story/ctia-broadband-stimulus-core-packets-and-more/2009-04-02
[3] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/wimax-deployments-hit-hard-economic-downturn/2009-02-18