alcatel lucent

3GPP agrees on femtocell architecture

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 06:59:57 -0400

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has adopted an official architecture for 3G femtocell home base stations.

The 3GPP wants to have the new standard done by the end of this year, which appears to be an aggressive time schedule given the fact that vendors had various approaches to building a femtocell base station. The agreed upon architecture follows an access network-based approach, leveraging existing standards, called IU-cs and Iu-ps interfaces, into the core service network. The result is a new interface called Iu-h.

The architecture defines two new network elements, the femtocell and the femtocell gateway. Between these elements is the new Iu-h interface. This solution was backed by Alcatel-Lucent, Kineto Wireless, Motorola and NEC.

All of the femtocell vendors must go back and change their access point and network gateway equipment to comply with the new standard interface.

All femtocell vendors will have to make changes to their access points. Alcatel-Lucent, Motorola, NEC, and those that already use Kineto's GAN approach, such as Ubiquisys, will have the least work to do.

To read more:
- check out Unstrung

Related stories:
Femtocell announcements bring market momentum; questions still remain. Femtocell editorial
Femtocells face their tipping point. Femtocell story

Nortel goes its own way with LTE IPR licensing

Thu, 08 May 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Nortel has thrown a wrench into the LTE framework licensing agreement announced last month by seven wireless vendors. The vendor, known to hold some substantial IPR for OFDMA, has snubbed its nose at last month's framework agreement, instead going it alone on LTE IPR fees and announcing what is says is a competitive handset royalty rate of about 1 percent of the handset sales price for its portfolio of LTE essential patents.

The fee structure agreed to by Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, NEC, NextWave Wireless, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks and Sony Ericsson calls for royalties for LTE that total less than 10 percent of the resale price for handsets and less than $10 for laptops. However, it is up to the companies involved to decide how this (up to) 10 percent is split between them. Nortel's plan would guarantee the vendor makes money.

Qualcomm and Motorola, to other big patent holders, are likely to stay out of the seven-vendor initiative and come out with their own LTE license schemes. How much visibility will that give in terms of industry IPR fees?

For more on Nortel's LTE play:
- read this Nortel LTE royalty press release

Related article:
Key vendors absent from new LTE licensing scheme

ABI survey identifies top three femto developers

Mon, 05 May 2008 06:59:53 -0400

ABI Research has released details of the top three femtocell developers using an analytical tool to determine a clear understanding of each supplier's market focus. The company stated that Ubiquisys had been ranked at the top of the list, with Alcatel-Lucent and ip.access claiming the second and third spots.

According to London-based Stuart Carlaw, a VP and research director for ABI, the market continues to see manufacturers shuffle as early RFP and trial activity takes hold. "Interestingly, major players in this market such as Cisco, Motorola, NEC and Nokia are not represented in the measurement matrix as they are positioning themselves as complete solution providers and have chosen not to produce their own products but to partner instead with dedicated box vendors."

The femtocell vendors were assessed by ABI on parameters such as innovation and implementation across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix. To view a list of the top ten firms in this vendor matrix, visit Femtocell Vendor Matrix.

For more about ABI Research's femtocell survey:
- check out this release

Alcatel-Lucent's CDMA business declines in 1Q

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

Alcatel-Lucent's mainstay CDMA business is on the decline, the company reported. That decline and the faltering economy resulted in a 6.5 percent decline in wireless network sales year-over-year, despite the fact that the vendor doubled ts sales in WCDMA.

Alcatel-Lucent CEO Patricia Russo predicted that growth for the company would be flat in 2008, but that the improvements in the W-CDMA business would continue. The company plans to integrate its 3G product lines later this year, giving it a single GSM and WCDMA platform to support and significantly lowering its R&D costs. Russo also said that as the industry transitions to 4G deployments, Alcatel-Lucent is well positioned to sell both LTE and WiMAX technologies as well as hybrid solutions that mix GSM and WiMAX as well as CDMA and LTE.

"We're poised to capture a 4G footprint by leveraging our existing customer relationships as well as our expertise in some of the key technology areas that are relevant to 4G, spanning both LTE and WiMAX," she said.

To read more about Alcatel-Lucent's first-quarter results:
- check out this Telephony report

Rumor: ip.access wins femtocell deal with AT&T

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

According to a report from ThinkPanmure, AT&T has inked a $500 million deal with ip.access for 7 million femtocells, which it plans to sell to its subscribers for about $100. The firm says the deal was fiercely fought with companies such as Motorola, Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia Siemens Networks and Airvana heavily contending for the contract.

Further, ThinkPanmure believes such a win could push Cisco to look at ip.access as an acquisition target.

"We believe Cisco is looking to increase its profile in wireless, and that ip.access is likely next in this strategy as Cisco's femtocell play. We believe that if this were to happen, it would be integrated into the Linksys organization," said the firm.

- Check out ThinkPanmure's web site

Related articles:
Sprint launches femtocell service in two markets Report on Sprint's femtocell launch
T-Mobile plans femtocell trials Report on T-Mobile's femtocell plans

Key vendors absent from new LTE licensing scheme

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:59:57 -0400

Six vendors announced they have committed to a framework designed to offer predictable and more transparent IP licensing. Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, NEC, NextWave Wireless, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks and Sony Ericsson have specifically agreed to royalties for LTE that total less than 10 percent of the resale price for handsets and less than $10 for laptops. However, it is up to the companies involved to decide how this (up to) 10 percent is split between them.

"The adoption of this initiative will reassure operators of the early widespread adoption of LTE technology throughout the consumer electronics industry," Ericsson's SVP, GM and CTO Håkan Eriksson said in a statement.

Notably absent from the agreement are Qualcomm, Motorola and Nortel. Without those major players, will such an agreement work out?

For more on the LTE licensing agreement:
- read this press release from the companies

Related articles:
- Vodafone CEO: WiMAX has a home in LTE. Story on Vodafone
- China Mobile joins Vodafone, Verizon in LTE trial. Story on LTE trials

ICO to deliver DVB-SH services soon via satellite

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:59:53 -0400

Satellite company ICO Global Communications announced plans to deploy a GEO satellite on April 14 that will deliver a satellite-hybrid terrestrial network using mobile TV technology DVB-SH.

After the satellite is launched, the company plans to begin market trials in Las Vegas and Raleigh-Durham in mid-2008 of what it calls ICO MIM, Mobile Interactive Media. The trials will focus on three areas: entertainment using DVB-SH for mobile TV services, guidance services that will include real-time traffic data and social networking applications and assistance services, which will offer OnStar-like roadside services.

Initially, the service will consist of a "set-top box in the trunk" to deliver these services, said Tim Bryan, CEO of ICO during an Alcatel-Lucent press briefing here at CTIA. Later, the company plans to offer dockable portable mobile and OEM-installed devices. Direct delivery to handhelds is possible in the future.

Partners in the trial include Alcatel-Lucent, which is providing the DVB-SH technology, Hughes and WiMAX operator Clearwire, which adds a wireless broadband offering to the mix. Last fall, Clearwire announced a joint agreement with ICO. Craig McCaw, who founded Clearwire, owns a 75-percent voting interest in ICO.

Related articles:
Can WiMAX be a boon to the MSS industry? Editorial
Clearwire, ICO collaborate on mobile video Report

ALSO NOTED: Fitch Ratings says 700 MHz auction will have modest credit impact on winners; Alcatel-Lucent announces first North

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:59:51 -0400

> Towerstream announced today that it launched fixed WiMAX service for businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, area. Article

> Fitch Ratings says that it expects the recent 700 MHz auction will have only modest credit implications for wireless operators. Article

> Alcatel-Lucent announced that its first North American WiMAX network will be deployed in Palm Springs, Calif. Article

And Finally... A U.S. industry survey released Tuesday by CTIA at the conference found that data service revenue in 2007 rose to more than $23 billion from $15.2 billion in 2006. Article

ALSO NOTED: WiMAX Forum forecasts 113M subs by 2012; Airvana, Alcatel-Lucent demo EV-DO femtocell ; and much more...

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:59:51 -0400

> The WiMAX Forum today released its projections for global WiMAX subscribers. The forum estimates more than 133 million WiMAX subscribers by 2012. The organization commissioned an independent research study that will be published next month. Release

> A new report from Infonetics indicates sales of mobile data cards could nearly quadruple between last year and 2011 to reach $2.9 billion. Article

> Airvana and Alcatel-Lucent today announced they will jointly demonstrate an end-to-end 3G CDMA/EV-DO femtocell solution, supporting voice and mobile high-speed data services, at the CTIA Wireless 2008 tradeshow and exhibition. Release

And Finally... Behold, a leather-covered iPhone. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Alcatel-Lucent wins WiMAX contract in Croatia

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:59:52 -0400

Alcatel-Lucent has won a contract from WiMAX Telecom to help that company set up a wireless broadband network in Croatia. The network will be powered by WiMAX 802.16e-2005 Rev-e technology, and will initially be available in the Split and Osijek areas. WiMAX Telecom is a European wireless broadband operator which holds 3.5GHz spectrum licenses in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, and Slovakia. Article

ALSO NOTED: Alcatel-Lucent wins WiMAX contract in Croatia; Apple updates AirPort Express with 802.11n; and much more...

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 07:59:51 -0400

> Alcatel-Lucent will build a mobile WiMAX network for WiMAX Telecom in Croatia. Article

> Apple updated its AirPort Express mobile base station with 802.11n. Article

> Accuris Networks launched a GSM/WiFi solution. Article

And Finally... According to former CTIA head Tom Wheeler, WiMAX is this decade's PCS. Article

Alcatel-Lucent reveals mobile data performance tool

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Alcatel-Lucent has created a mobile data performance analysis tool, called the 9900 WNG, designed to give mobile operators insight into their network in terms of what applications are using up mobile network resources and affecting performance. Knowing this information allows operators to manage and optimize their networks for data traffic volume. With flat-rate pricing plans, mobile data running on 3G networks is ramping up.

"Existing tools are blind to parts of the network--radio tools are blind to IP traffic, and IP tools are blind to RF [radio frequency] issues," said Michael Schabel, general manager at Alcatel-Lucent Ventures.

For more about Alcatel-Lucent's data performance analysis tool:
- check out this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
- Carrier executives: Mobile data revenues in trouble Report
- Sprint: Unlimited plan won't tax network capacity Report

NextWave signs on Alcatel-Lucent for WiMAX TV

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Following its introduction on Monday of MXtv, a mobile multicast and broadcast technology for WiMAX operators, NextWave announced Alcatel-Lucent will integrate the technology into its mobile WiMAX solutions. The two companies plan to perform a series of interoperability tests with Alcatel-Lucent's commercial WiMAX infrastructure starting in the second quarter of 2008.

Earlier this week NextWave announced a similar deal with Chinese vendor Huawei that calls for the manufacturer to deliver the integrated MXtv technology into its WiMAX solutions.

MXtv technology will enable operators to deliver a range of multimedia services, including mobile TV, interactive media and digital audio without having to invest in new spectrum or extra radio access network equipment, NextWave said.

MXtv is a similar proposition to NextWave's UMTS MBMS-based TDtv. The company has gained traction of late for that technology, signing on Orange and T-Mobile to a six-month pilot in the London area. The technology proposes to reduce mobile broadcast costs by means of shared, unpaired 3G spectrum and a standards-based TDtv network. NextWave has this capability from its acquisition of IP Wireless last year.

For more about NextWave's deal with Alcatel-Lucent:
- read this release

Related articles:
NextWave introduces mobile TV platform for WiMAX Report
Orange, T-Mobile UK partner for TDtv trial Report

Vodafone could launch femtocells this year

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 07:59:56 -0400

Commercial femtocell services could become available from Vodafone by the end of this year. The apparent drive behind this schedule is the potential CAPEX cost savings, which the company admits could be up to 20 percent of its 3G macro network deployments.

Vodafone, which last year finalized its RFP for femtocells, has been testing 3G home base stations from Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei in Spain for some months. However, the company's CTO, Steve Pusey, speaking at Vodafone's recent Technology Update, while highlighting the cost saving opportunity that femtocells present, also tempering the outlook for their commercial success.

"We're still studying it," said Pusey. "We've approached femtocells from a cost savings perspective. It gives us the potential to improve coverage and reduce backhaul costs. It may or may not have commercial opportunities beyond that."

Vodafone estimated that of its total network CAPEX spend for full-year 2007/2008, radio access will account for 48 percent, while backhaul will account for 32 percent.

For more on this story:
- read this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
Vodafone trials femtocells in Spain Report
T-Mobile plans femtocell trials Report

ALSO NOTED: Nortel demonstrates WiMAX VoIP call controlled by 2G/3G network; Alcatel-Lucent to expand AT&T's 3G network ; and m

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:59:51 -0500

> Nortel is demonstrated the ability to provide VoIP calling using a 2G/3G GSM/UMTS core network to host 4G WiMAX access. Release

> Alcatel-Lucent has announced an agreement for the vendor to support the expansion of AT&T's UMTS/HSPA wireless network. Article

And Finally... Rogers' new mobile data plan is completely unlimited except where it's limited. Article

Alcatel-Lucent, NEC join forces on LTE

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Alcatel-Lucent and NEC announced they will join forces to develop LTE and wireless broadband infrastructure gear. Specifically, the two firms, which have already collaborated on an LTE trial, will pool their R&D on MIMO (multiple in/multiple out), OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) and other IP technologies. Both companies said that by teaming on their efforts they will speed deployment of LTE, which they expect to have commercially available in 2009.

This venture will likely impact operators such as Verizon Wireless and NTT DoCoMo. Lucent is currently involved in an LTE trial with Verizon Wireless and NEC is working with NTT DoCoMo on its Super G LTE trial.

The two companies say they will contribute equally to the R&D budget for this collaboration and it will be jointly managed. However both companies will be responsible for the fulfillment and execution of their network technology with their respective customers.

It's certainly an offensive move given the fact the LTE landscape is expected to be even more competitive than current generation competition. Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE are vying to get a strong hold in the global infrastructure market.

To read more about Alcatel-Lucent and NEC joining forces for LTE:
- check out this release

Related articles:
Alcatel-Lucent and LG complete LTE call Report
The 4G buzz is growing Editorial

Is WiMAX a service complement for mobile operators?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:59:58 -0500

A new report from In-Stat says WiMAX is more of a service complement than a competitive threat for mobile operators. The research firm says the debate can be broken down into two camps.

"One camp led by select equipment vendors with no stake in WiMAX has taken an either/or approach to discussing mobile WiMAX," said In-Stat analyst Daryl Schoolar. "Any gain by WiMAX comes at the expense of other 3G data technologies. In the other camp, infrastructure vendors like Alcatel-Lucent, Motorola, and Nokia Siemens see a world where multiple mobile wireless broadband technologies will co-exist. In-Stat believes that the latter camp's view will prevail."

In-Stat backs this up for a few reasons. First, since the technology has been accepted by ITU, that move will open new markets for WiMAX. And mobile WiMAX will be more successful with laptops and other consumer electronic devices than in phones, offering new revenue opportunities for existing mobile operators.

Indeed, many WiMAX advocates have always touted WiMAX as a complementary technology. But when companies such as infrastructure giant Ericsson and leading chip vendor Qualcomm aren't in the WiMAX camp, WiMAX becomes a competitive threat to HSDPA and LTE.

Interestingly, Rupert Baines, vice president of marketing with picoChip, a leading WiMAX base station semiconductor company, says the market has already evolved to the point where WiMAX isn't a competitive threat since it is serving different groups of operators. He notes that most of the W-CDMA community will evolve to 4G LTE while the world's major CDMA operators, with the exception of Verizon Wireless, are going for WiMAX since we've seen Sprint, Japan's KDDI and Korea's SK Telecom deploy WiMAX. "UMB (the 4G path for CDMA) doesn't even count as the walking dead anymore," noted Baines. --Lynnette

ALSO NOTED: KDDI close to naming WiMAX vendor; Chrysler developing navigation system that will include WiMAX; and much more...

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:59:51 -0500

> Alcatel-Lucent plans to open a WiMAX Application and Interoperability Testing Center to local Taiwan customer premises equipment manufacturers, working with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Article

> KDDI's WiMAX joint venture is reportedly close to choosing its vendor for the $1.3 billion mobile WiMAX network in Japan. Article

> The proliferation of higher data-rate networks and associated handset availability means super 3G devices will become the largest selling handset type by 2012, according to Informa Telecoms & Media. Article

> Chrysler announced yesterday that it is developing an advanced wireless communications and navigation system that eventually will provide mobile WiMAX connectivity. Article

Prediction: Non-traditional vendors will rise up

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

Higher speed data networks are ushering in opportunities for alternative vendors beyond the big companies such as Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent. Chinese vendor Huawei saw some significant momentum in 2007 with UMTS deals with the industry's largest operators: Telecom Italia, Vodafone and T-Mobile International. Companies that missed out on the 2G and 3G revolution such as Samsung and Fujitsu are looking to WiMAX to propel them in leadership positions. Look for some aggressive moves from these types of vendors to gain the trust of operators.

Operators want femtocells

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:59:54 -0500

The hype surrounding femtocells reached a fever pitch in 2007. These router-sized mobile home base stations promise to solve the many shortcomings faced by existing WiFi/cellular fixed-mobile convergence services and enable operators to offer consumers high-speed data, VoIP and voice services in the home with reduced infrastructure costs. Operators had begun talking about their trial plans, while Sprint launched commercial services in two markets.

The Femto Forum, an industry group advocating femtocell technology, was born this summer with a handful of smaller vendors, but closed out the year with some 40 members that include Alcatel-Lucent, NEC, Nokia Siemens Networks, Motorola, and ZTE. Operators have also joined the ranks: Bharti Airtel in India, Bouygues Telecom, Carphone Warehouse Networks, Orsacom Telecom and Telefonica 02.

Still, there's much work to be done before femtocells can become a widespread reality. Chief among them are lack of standards, network integration and cost assumptions.

Related articles:
BT evaluating femtocells Report
Ericsson bows home femtocell Report