wireless broadband network

NextWave's cash is running out

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:28:11 -0400

NextWave Wireless said its cash is running out, sending the company's shares down to a 52-week low on Friday. The company, which saw its shares fall as low as 89 cents per share on Friday, said it had $71.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and restricted cash at the end of the second quarter, and unless it raises more money, the company will run out of cash at the beginning of October.

According to Chairman and Chief Executive Allen Salmasi, NextWave is negotiating for financing that will give the company enough money to operate through June 2009. The financing could include a $100 million private placement of junior preferred stock as well as up to $100 million in debt financing.

NextWave, which has its hands in a number of businesses including WiMAX chips and broadband wireless equipment, says its troubles come from worldwide economic conditions, which has resulted in a decline in bookings and sales of its network equipment. In addition, its plans to sell its U.S. spectrum holdings have been delayed by market conditions and regulatory issues, the company said. In July, NextWave reached a deal to sell AWS spectrum for $150.1 million to T-Mobile, Atlantic Wireless, Alaska Wireless and MetroPCS. The proceeds are supposed to go into a restricted cash account and to redeem debt.

NextWave reported second-quarter revenues of $31.8 million, a $5.8-million or 22-percent increase over the first quarter 2008. NextWave said the increase was driven by increased sales of NextWave's wireless broadband network equipment and subscriber devices and by the continued growth in mobile device software revenues generated by its PacketVideo subsidiary. The company reported a loss of $65.7 million for the second quarter, a decrease of $13.9 million or 17 percent from the first quarter.

"We are feeling the effects of a slowing global economy on our business. This has resulted in lower than anticipated sales of our 3GPP and WiFi based network products and a delay in WiMAX network deployments that will continue to impact projected sales of our WiMAX semiconductor products," Salmasi said in a press release.

For more:
- read AP
- see this release

Related stories:
NextWave offloads AWS spectrum. NextWave story
NextWave pushes mobile WiMAX handset reference design. WiMAX story

T-Mobile takes M2Z to task over AWS-3 auction arguments

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:56:07 -0400

T-Mobile USA is taking M2Z Networks to task for the company's claim that T-Mobile's interference concerns over the FCC's proposed plans for the AWS-3 band are moot given the fact that the carrier operates a wireless broadband network Czech Republic using similar spectrum and similar technical rules to those the FCC plans to adopt for the band. The FCC wants to create a 25-megahertz swath of spectrum, known as AWS-3, that would support a nationwide license and would require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service, install a network-based Internet filtering system to block pornography and allow open access to third-party devices and applications. T-Mobile has been the most vocal opponent of the plan.

T-Mobile has been aggressively arguing that time division duplex (TDD) technology would cause a problem if deployed in the U.S. adjacent to its frequency division duplex (FDD) operations in the AWS-1 band. T-Mobile's network in the Czech Republic, however, uses TDD (UMTS TDD technology) in unpaired spectrum and is adjacent to FDD operations within well-established standard power limits and without using spectrum guard bands, said a report from the Czech Telecommunications Office.

T-Mobile has countered M2Z, saying that the company's argument was simplistic. According to a statement in Wireless Week, T-Mobile said: "There are important distinctions between the Czech Republic situation and the AWS-3 band in the United States that M2Z has conveniently chosen to ignore." The carrier said its Czech operations are subject to stringent technical mandates and standards that limit out-of-band emissions. It also said its Czech operations are governed by a 5 megahertz guard band between TDD and FDD operations. M2Z, on the other hand, is proposing no guard band for the AWS-3 spectrum.

For more:
- take a look at Wireless Week

Related stories:
M2Z: T-Mobile's interference argument over AWS-3 spectrum flawed. M2Z story
FCC grants more time for comments on AWS-3 auction plans. FCC article
T-Mobile pressures FCC to reconsider free wireless Internet plan. T-Mobile article

T-Mobile calls for delay of FCC's free wireless broadband initiative

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:13:26 -0400

T-Mobile USA has asked the FCC to extend the public-comment period for its controversial plan to auction a nationwide block of spectrum that would see the licensee offering free broadband services. T-Mobile wants the commission to spend more time studying potential interference problems and delay its final decision until after the November elections. The commission's comment deadline is July 9 with reply comments due July 16. The FCC wants to craft its rules by August.

M2Z Founder, Chairman and CTO Milo Medin, whose company first presented this type of proposal to the FCC back in 2006 and is interested in bidding on the spectrum, recently told FierceBroadbandWireless that the core technical rules that have always been advocated for the auction are the same rules that were used for the 700 MHz auction. "It's hard to argue that the same rules worked at 700 MHz but don't work in this band," he said.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swathe of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as advanced wireless services-3 and would require the licensee to dedicate 25 percent of its network capacity to free broadband service, install a network-based Internet filtering system to block pornography and allow open access to third-party devices and applications.

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
Interview with M2Z: Free wireless broadband can work. M2Z interview
FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative. Wireless broadband story

Report: AWS-3 license would fetch $2.8B without FCC's conditions

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:58:58 -0400

Analysis from the Phoenix Center says that the FCC's proposed auction of a nationwide 25-megahertz license in the Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) band would garner about $2.8 billion at auction if the license didn't come attached with substantial conditions--which includes offering free broadband wireless service and strict buildout requirements. Phoenix Center Chief Economist George S. Ford came to that number after analyzing the results of prior auctions in the AWS band and the recent 700 MHz auction, which resulted in an auction value of approximately $0.40 per MHz-pop.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swathe of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as AWS-3. Under FCC proposals, the licensee of this band would be required to use up to 25 percent of its network capacity for free, two-way broadband service at data rates of at least 768 kbps downstream. A network-based filtering mechanism would also be required for the free Internet service to protect children and families from obscene content. The winning bidder of the AWS-3 band would also have to offer coverage and service to at least 50 percent of the U.S. population within four years and at least 95 percent of the population by the end of 10 years.

These type of stipulations can substantially impact the value of spectrum, said the Phoenix Center. "There may be significant social or consumer value to many of the conditions proposed by the FCC for the AWS-3 license," said Ford. "But policymakers should be aware of the impact that their decisions have upon the value of spectrum and the business case for offering wireless services over encumbered licenses."

For more:
- read cellular-news

Related stories:
FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative. Free broadband wireless story
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story.
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial

FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:18:43 -0400

The FCC is looking for feedback on options to auction a nationwide wireless broadband license that would require the licensee to offer free broadband services. The FCC hopes to secure rules for the licensee by August.

"This larger block size may allow the AWS-3 licensee to make more robust use of the spectrum while operating at a stricter out-of-band emission limit," the FCC stated. "Alternatively, another proposed option would be to retain the 2155-2175 MHz AWS-3 block and allow the licensee to operate with a more traditional out-of-band emission limit."

The plan, however, is already riddled in controversy, with major operators raising concern about interference to their operations in adjacent frequencies and accusing regulators of creating an auction tailored to a specific business model. The plan is similar to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

Under FCC proposals, the licensee of this band would be required to use up to 25 percent of its network capacity for free, two-way broadband service at data rates of at least 768 kbps downstream. A network-based filtering mechanism would also be required for the free Internet service to protect children and families from obscene content. The winning bidder of the AWS-3 band would also have to offer coverage and service to at least 50 percent of the U.S. population within four years and at least 95 percent of the population by the end of 10 years.

T-Mobile, which won a huge amount of spectrum in the AWS band, buying 120 licenses for about $4.2 billion, raised concerns about interference from the band. Tom Sugrue, vice president of government affairs with T-Mobile said the "commission appears to be denying itself the opportunity to engage in the appropriate joint testing required to examine empirically the significant interference issues raised in this proceeding. T-Mobile looks forward to detailing these concerns in its comments and to sharing with the commission its own interference test results."

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story.
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial
Congresswoman proposes free wireless broadband. Read this free broadband story

FCC delays decision on free wireless broadband network

Sue Marek — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 18:12:50 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin decided to remove the planned discussion regarding a potential auction of 25 megahertz of unused wireless spectrum from the June 12 meeting agenda. This auction would include 25 megahertz in the 2155 MHz to 2180 MHz band and would require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under a strict build-out schedule.

Martin says he removed the proposal from the agenda because he wanted to look into concerns raised by some wireless carriers. The CTIA yesterday criticized the FCC in a filing saying that the proposal "upends two decades of spectrum policy in favor of a specifically tailored auction designed to advance the particular business model of a single company."

Nevertheless, Martin remains committed to the plan. An FCC spokesman told RCR that Martin believes more time is needed to examine concerns on the interference issue, but he does not agree with some critics who are pushing for an interference standard that is more cumbersome than the restrictions that were set forth for both the AWS-1 spectrum and the 700 MHz spectrum in those respective auctions.

The FCC plans to include this item on a July open meeting agenda. An auction could happen as early as December 2008.

The FCC's plan was similar to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

For more:
- see this RCR story.
- see this Silicon Alley Insider report
- read this IDG news service report

Related stories:
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial

Europe allows mobile WiMAX at 3.5 GHz

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:59:53 -0400

The European Commission has adopted a decision that will harmonize the 3400 MHz to 3800 MHz bands in Europe. The move is expected to have a positive impact on WiMAX network operators in Europe, most of which use 3.5 GHz spectrum, as the decision allows spectrum in that range to be used for fixed, portable or mobile communications networks by January 2012. Nearly all of the licenses in the 3.5 GHz band restrict usage to fixed or portable services.

For more on this story:
- read WiMAX Day

Related story:
WiMAX progress in France and Italy. WiMAX story
Intel looks to break into Europe with WiMAX Editorial

Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work?

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has scheduled a vote on rules for another spectrum auction that would include 25 megahertz in the 2155 MHz to 2180 MHz band and would require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under a strict buildout schedule. (See story No. 1)

The proposal is based on a number of proposals entities have floated over the years. Namely M2Z networks back in 2006 asked the FCC for free spectrum in that band to offer free broadband for the masses. The FCC subsequently denied all of the plans because they go against a principle established decades ago that the commission needs to grant spectrum via an auction.

The rules the FCC is looking at would stipulate a free service tier and would require the winning bidder to reach 50 percent of the population in four years and 95 percent of the population by the end of the license term.

How would the operator create a business plan out of these requirements? We can guess from M2Z's previous proposal. The company was planning to receive a return on its investment by offering access to the network on a wholesale basis. The company had also planned to offer a premium broadband service that would be faster than current DSL and cable speeds for which it would charge between $20 and $30 per month.

But that proposal was two years ago, when there wasn't the threat of Clearwire's WiMAX, new 4G networks in 2010 and failed muni-WiFi business models. Plus M2Z had proposed that the spectrum be free.

So the question is, would such an auction generate any interest? The intentions of such a network are noble, but it seems to be a risky business proposition given the fact that network operators build out their networks according to demand for their services. This could very well end up being another D-block auction if the FCC doesn't craft its rules carefully and offer a clear money-making path.--Lynnette

FCC mulling another spectrum auction

Tue, 27 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has scheduled a vote on rules for another spectrum auction. And you thought there wasn't any more spectrum to be auctioned. This auction would include 25 megahertz in the 2155 MHz to 2180 MHz band and would require the winning bidder to offer free broadband service under a strict buildout schedule.

It's a similar plan to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

"We've had a variety of proposals that had come into the commission originally where some people wanted us to give them the spectrum," said Martin in an RCR Wireless News article. The FCC chairman said a vote may be held at the agency's upcoming June 12 meeting, but added it is possible the measure could be approved before that date.

Martin said a licensee of the 2155-2180 MHz spectrum would have to provide a free service tier, and would have to reach 50 percent of the population in four years and 95 percent of the population by the end of the license term.

To read more about the FCC's auction plans:
- check out this article from RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
- Congresswoman proposes free wireless broadband. See this wireless broadband story
- M2Z Networks pushes broadband for the masses. See this M2Z Networks 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

Covad to roll out fixed WiMAX this year

Mon, 19 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Covad indicated it will begin rolling out a fixed WiMAX wireless broadband offering this year, with a promise of offering data speeds of 6 Mbs. Covad says its decision to offer the service followed a lab test and field trial in the San Francisco Bay area. Now the carrier will install WiMAX equipment at existing base station locations in the Bay area as well as in Los Angeles and Orange County.

Covad has named Axxcelera as a preferred WiMAX vendor. The carrier says tests of the vendor's gear resulted in a total symmetric bandwidth of 8-plus Mbs at 5-plus miles and registered less than 1-percent packet loss and less than 50ms network latency. Axxcelera's equipment will be part of Covad's "Super-T" product offering for business-grade broadband access.

"Covad has built a profitable, growing wireless broadband business, using pre-WiMAX equipment, in the San Francisco Bay Area, greater Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Chicago," said Covad Wireless General Manager Lee Gopadze. "We see great potential in Axxcelera's WiMAX equipment that will allow us to enhance our existing Internet access services with additional Ethernet-based wireless service features. These features include class-of-service options, enhanced reliability and expanded network capacity. Axxcelera's equipment exceeded our expectations."

In February, Covad agreed to test a WiFi network in San Carlos, Calif., as part of the struggling Silicon Valley Network, that ambitious WiFi initiative that aims to blanket 1,500 sq. miles with WiFi.

To find out more about Covad's WiMAX plans:
- check out this article from TelecomWeb

How hard did EarthLink try to help its muni-WiFi customers?

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Did EarthLink really try that hard to find suitable alternatives for those muni-WiFi networks the dial-up ISP has shut down over the past several months because it couldn't make a go of the business? That is the question being asked by a lot of folks lately.

The latest network to go dark is Philadelphia (See story No. 2). EarthLink and the city reportedly were negotiating for the city to take over the network in some way, but apparently couldn't reach an agreement; nor could EarthLink find a company to take over the network. Such has also been the case in New Orleans, where EarthLink's network is scheduled to go dark May 18. Other cities have purchased their networks outright.

It seems to most industry watchers, however, that EarthLink has been unfair in its dealings with these cities, giving them short time frames to find a buyer or shutting them out of the negotiating process altogether. For many months, the ISP left them in limbo about what its plans were in terms of the muni-WiFi network. All the while, these cities thought EarthLink would honor their contracts because of the stiff monetary penalties involved. If they would have been given definite answers early on, they could have been researching alternatives on their own for some time. Negotiating deals and alternatives are complex and time-intensive.

In Philadelphia, for instance, one of EarthLink's showcase cities for muni-WiFi, city officials said in January they thought EarthLink might pull out of Philadelphia but weren't expecting an answer for another 60 days. Officials figured EarthLink would pull the plug on the network when it heard in the news that the company would eliminate 900 workers by the end of 2007.

In the meantime, the muni-WiFi business is bouncing back in other cities where network operators are working with more sensible business models that include local government anchor tenants and/or a few other high-user tenants such as colleges and medical campuses. But it appears EarthLink has blinders on as it continually says the muni-WiFi business doesn't work. Of course everyone knows now that the general consumer muni-WiFi approach doesn't work. The company just wants out of the business.

"EarthLink's corporate culture is just about the consumer," noted Craig Settles, muni-WiFi expert and author. "It could have turned this into a business play, offering muni-WiFi as an extension of cities' wired infrastructure or it could have turned to different partners and found a better and more graceful way to turn this bump in the road into a business."

It's especially a shame for the Philly network, which has had one of the longest-running networks in the country. According to Settles, the city did one of the best jobs in terms of needs assessment and planning, it was always clear about the purpose of the network and never got on the free-broadband-for-the-masses mentality. It' main mission was to spur economic development, offer cheaper service to bridge the digital divide and reduce the cost of government. Partner Wireless Philadelphia has been aggressively moving to offer discounted services to under-served areas of the city, funded by community partners and other sources. Government users were given access too. And the network was about 80 percent complete.

Still, Wireless Philadelphia says it continues to work with the city to identify alternatives for keeping the network. Interestingly, Wireless Philadelphia says nothing in the 10-year network agreement it and the city has with EarthLink permits the ISP to unilaterally impose deadlines for the network's transfer, turn off the network or remove network equipment. Perhaps we'll see some 11th hour legal action before the network goes dark?--Lynnette

AT&T's short-term answer to WiMAX: HSPA Rel. 7

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

During a presentation yesterday at Morgan Stanley's 13th Annual Communications Conference in Washington, D.C, AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega said he believes AT&T has a time-to-market advantage over WiMAX with its HSPA technology. De la Vega said that HSPA Release 7 will give the company 7 Mbps to 20 Mbps data speeds within the next two years and the company will only have to deploy a software upgrade.

"When people talk about future technologies like WiMAX, they don't realize it doesn't do any good to just have it in the network. They have to have devices, coverage and the entire ecosystem," he said. "We have the best broadband network with the best throughput today. And it will get better in the short term." Of course, the company does plan to migrate to LTE technology in 2010, bringing data speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

Meanwhile, Dell made an agreement with Ericsson that will see the laptop maker incorporate Ericsson's HSPA modules in its laptop portfolio beginning in the second quarter.

For more:
- see the replay of de la Vega's presentation here
- check out this telecoms.com article

Related articles:
AT&T extends 3G deployments, backs LTE for 4G. See this AT&T LTE story
Ericsson develops HSPA module for laptops Check out this Ericsson HSPA article
The HSPA PR machine heats up as WiMAX heats up

EarthLink yanks muni WiFi network in Philly

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

EarthLink has pulled the plug on its $17-million municipal WiFi network in Philadelphia after it says it failed to reach an agreement with the city to take over the network. Originally, reports claimed EarthLink would give the city until the end of this week to come up with a deal, but now the company says no deal could be reached. City officials told the Wall Street Journal that the network would cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year.

"It's been an unfortunate situation," said EarthLink CEO Rolla Huff. "It was a great idea a few years ago... but it's an idea that simply didn't make it."

Earlier this year EarthLink announced it was no longer interested in the municipal WiFi business. The Philadelphia network had reached about 80 percent of its build-out. EarthLink has already stepped away from contracts with San Francisco, Houston, New Orleans and others. The only big contract outstanding is now Anaheim, CA, according to EarthLink.- Brian Dolan

For more on EarthLink pulling the plug:
- read this WSJ report (sub. req.)

FCC votes to resurrect public-safety network idea

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:59:53 -0400

The Federal Communications Commission unanimously decided to resurrect plans to create a nationwide emergency communications network after the D-block 700 MHz auction failed to garner a company willing to build a nationwide broadband network for both commercial and public-safety users.

The commission is now seeking public input on how it can modify this plan and make it more attractive to an operator. It also wants to know whether the concept should be scrapped altogether and the D block be auctioned for commercial use.

After the agency's 5-0 vote on the D block, Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to authorize $4 million to begin funding the Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corp., the 700 MHz public-safety broadband licensee that would partner with a winning commercial D-block bidder under the shared wireless broadband network model.

For more about the public-safety network concept:
- read this article from AP News
- check out this report from RCR Wireless News

Is Google satisfied with its new wireless broadband venture?

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Google finally got what it wanted--access to a broadband network to realize its dream of transferring it dominance in online advertising into the wireless broadband world. By making a sizable investment in the new Clearwire--a deal that also includes Sprint, three cable operators and Intel--Google becomes the default search engine for the new WiMAX operator and guarantees a home for the Android platform all without having to sink billions in building out its own network.

Cracking the wireless broadband market has actually taken a few years for Google. Google had big hopes in 2005 and 2006 that muni-WiFi was going to be the wireless broadband opportunity it was looking for. Pundits had speculated Google was poised to blanket the U.S. with free WiFi in order to become one of the globe's largest Internet providers and one of the powerful ad sellers. That strategy didn't pan out as the muni-WiFi market hit a shakeout.

Then the 700 MHz auction came along, and Google lobbied heavily for open access and plunked down the minimum required to trigger the open access provision. Though the search giant got what it wanted, that still didn't guarantee Google would become a dominant force.

Lately the company has been pushing heavily for unlicensed white-space spectrum, and while it appears the FCC likes the idea, there is significant opposition due to fears of interference, which could significantly draw out the process.

The question now is, is Google happy with what it got or will it continue to find more ways to transfer its services in the wireless world?--Lynnette

Cablevision's answer to WiMAX: WiFi

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Countering the Sprint-Clearwire announcement deal that involves cable operators Time Warner, Comcast and Brighthouse Networks, Cablevision announced plans to spend more than $300 million to roll out WiFi in New York and Long Island during the next two years. Cablevision is looking for ways to compete with Verizon for control of one of the largest markets in the U.S., the company said as it released first quarter earnings last week. Cablevision COO Tom Rutledge told analysts that more than half the homes in its coverage area subscribe to its Internet service, which gives the company enough "critical mass" to offer a wireless broadband service. The service provider said the network could make use of its existing infrastructure but would cost the company a hefty $100 per subscriber.

For more about Cablevision's WiFi plans:
- read this article from the New York Times

What's up with free WiFi for iPhone users at AT&T hotspots?

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

AT&T hotspots are no longer enabling free WiFi access to iPhone users as reported in early May. According to an article in Computerworld, just hours after posting information that told iPhone users they would receive free access to AT&T's public WiFi hotspots, the company pulled all references to the service from its Web site. The AT&T site previously noted "access to AT&T WiFi hot spots" was included in all iPhone subscriber plans.

For more about AT&T's on-again, off-again WiFi for iPhone users:
- check out this article from Computerworld

Texas Instruments drops out of WiMedia Alliance

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:53 -0400

Texas Instruments has dropped out of the WiMedia Alliance, the group pushing ultra-wideband, and is throwing its support behind the 802.11n fast WiFi standard. The move follows the Bluetooth SIG's decision to link Bluetooth with WiFi to make it easier for users to transfer images and large data files such as music and video. UWB was supposed to fill that roll by now but isn't ready.

TI says it believes 802.11n gives the company the right technology to use until UWB matures enough to put in a handset.

To find out more about TI's 802.11n Bluetooth plans:
- check out this article from Techworld

Report: Public safety partly to blame for D-block failure

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:59:55 -0400

A report from the FCC inspector general concluded that the requirement for lease payments of about $500 million contributed to the failure of the D-block auction. No serious bidders emerged for the spectrum, which was reserved for a public-private partnership that would give first responders a national wireless broadband network.

The inspector general's report was based on interviews with FCC staffers, public safety and companies such as Frontline Wireless--which had planned on bidding for the spectrum but couldn't raise enough money. The report concluded that demand from public safety, via Cyren Call, which was appointed to manage negotiations, discouraged bidding. The report also called into question the commercial viability of such a public-private partnership given the way the FCC constructed the rules for the band.

According to the report, "Cyren Call's statements regarding a $50 million-per-year payment was not the deciding factor in Frontline's decision not to bid on the D-Block, but was merely one of many concerns it had regarding the auction."

For more about the inspector general's report:
- check out this article from Dow Jones

Related articles:
Cyren Call says it's not to blame for Fronline's end D-block report
Frontline closes doors; D-block auction in question Report on Frontline