Open Access

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

Sprint's Xohm taps Mformation for remote device management

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:28:13 -0400

Sprint's WiMAX division announced a deal with device management software company Mformation Technologies to deliver device management capabilities for new Xohm-branded WiMAX-enabled mobile devices. Sprint plans to use Mformation's software to remotely manage the WiMAX devices on its network. The operator is commercially launching WiMAX in Baltimore in September.

Device management will be critical for Sprint, and likewise Clearwire, which is merging with Sprint later this year, to enable a number of devices to come onto the WiMAX network, regardless of whether they were purchased via Sprint or an external retailer that has no affiliation with the operator. Sprint's goal is to allow a plethora of devices--ranging from Internet tablets to telematics consoles--to operate on the network in an open access manner.

Matt Bancroft, chief marketing officer with Mformation, noted that while the device management software is optimized for WiMAX devices such as data cards and dongles, it also must support the many dual-mode CDMA/WiMAX devices that will run on the network because WiMAX won't be ubiquitious for some time. Given the sparse coverage, it's likely that much of the device management processes will occur via CDMA initially.

Bancroft added that the wave of devices that come to market next year will require additional device management capabilities that aren't available today, but that device management capabilities will catch up.

In June, Mformation and Bridgewater Systems announced their intention to integrate Bridgewater's service control and subscriber data management solution with Mformation's service manager to enable WiMAX operators to automatically detect, provision and manage WiMAX devices over the air using industry-standard IP and OMA DM protocols.

For more:
- check out this release

Related stories:
Sprint: 'We're creating a platform for innovation.' Open access story
WiMAX forum predicts 133 million users by 2012. WiMAX story

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

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

Verizon, Google spar over open access again

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:59:54 -0400

After Google filed a petition with the FCC, insisting that the regulator put in place stricter terms for Verizon Wireless' C Block 700 MHz open access provisions, Verizon Wireless claimed the petition had "no legal basis." The carrier plans to file its own petition with the FCC soon, but noted that "it's really no surprise that despite not winning spectrum, [Google] continue[s] to try to change the rules and further their own business interests through the regulatory process." The carrier said it knew the rules before it took part in the auction and "of course" they will abide by them, but if it doesn't the carrier points out that "Google or anybody else..." can use "legitimate and expedited ways to address that."-Brian Dolan

For more on Verizon's response:
- read this article from Verizon's policy blog

Is 3 UK moving toward a bit-pipe model?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Kevin Russel, CEO of 3 UK, which has taken the open access model to heart by opening up its network to any application, has reset the company's business objectives by stating there will be less emphasis on developing mobile content and a greater focus on promoting mobile email, VoIP and IM services.

The Hutchison Whampoa-owned carrier made the headlines in 2006 when it announced the X-Series offering, a service that, among other things, included an 'all you can eat' data plan and came with Skype pre-installed on the subscribers' terminals. In October, 3 introduced the Skypephone that features a dedicated Skype button.

Since introducing a USB dongle, 3 says that data throughput on its HSDPA network increased sevenfold from October '07 to February '08, and mobile broadband would be a focus area. "But there are some bandwagons 3 is not big enough to jump on", Russell added. "We need to be a more focused company and not get distracted by services such as mobile TV." He also noted the company would continue to follow an own-brand handsets strategy, as this enabled it to offer more disruptive services such as Skype.

3's strategy should be watched carefully as many operators will embark on an open access model as they move into the 4G world. Is this the bit-pipe warning that Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin mentioned during his keynote at CTIA earlier this month? 3 isn't offering its own email, VoIP and IM services. It's allowing partners like Skype, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Google offer these services, possibly pushing 3 toward that bit-pipe model (for some reason the industry likes to use the phrase bit pipe instead of dumb pipe). 3's business model could ultimately turn into one where it is subsidizing devices, carrying data traffic and dealing with customer service.

3, however, says it would rather get a head start over larger competitors with email, VoIP and IM services than get distracted with developing content services. Meanwhile, many operators are talking about becoming "smart" pipes, a term I heard at FierceMarkets' 4G conference during the CTIA show. Sprint is embarking on such a strategy with its WiMAX network. It means operators leverage their assets, acting as both a content and access provider by controlling the customer experience. Third parties may be able to develop applications for the network, but the operator also partners with content providers to create optimized services. It also means the operator can charge based on function, not bits, and prioritize traffic on their networks.

It will be interesting to see how operators approach this open access world. We could very well see a no one-size fits all answer to this and everyone still making money.--Lynnette

Operators reveal 700 MHz plans: LTE the big winner

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

The CTIA trade show would have been much more livelier had the winners of the 700 MHz auction been allowed to detail their plans for the spectrum. But the FCC anti-collusion restrictions were lifted April 3 in the afternoon, when the show floor had closed for the year.

Verizon Wireless executives on Friday morning assured investors the company's $9.36 billion investment in 700MHz spectrum will provide a long-term foundation for Verizon's business. Specifically, the company said that this year it will be conducting field trials of LTE. In 2009 it will select vendors, conduct some advanced device trials with a deployment planned for the second half of that year. By 2010 the operator plans to launch commercially and have rapid acceleration of its footprint.

Meanwhile AT&T, which spent $6.6 billion in the 700 MHz auction for B-block licenses, will also deploy LTE. The new B-block spectrum will be combined with AT&T's spectrum it acquired from Aloha Partners last year. Kris Rinne, senior vice president, architecture and planning at AT&T told the audience at last week's FierceMarkets Path to 4G conference, which was co-located with the CTIA show, that the company will likely deploy LTE in the 2010 time frame.

Interestingly, it doesn't appear AT&T has any open access plans for its spectrum and and in fact said the open-access stipulations placed on Verizon's C-block spectrum will give it an advantage in the market.

"With fewer costly and complex regulations, we have the certainty and flexibility needed to move faster in rolling out new mobile technology and more customer choices in devices and applications," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T's wireless business in a press release. "We will put our spectrum to work so that customers can do more with their wireless devices, the user experience is superb, and wireless connectivity can be embedded in more devices."

And we were under the impression that open access fosters customer choice in devices and applications.

With the two largest mobile operators now deploying the same 4G technology it should be interesting to see how each positions themselves in the market. For one, open access is a cumbersome thing. For the other, open access will make it the preferred partners for developers.

I also want to share with you some of the tidbits I learned at CTIA last week:

One CDMA vendor I talked to believes UMB, the 4G path for CDMA, is nearly dead. KDDI is reportedly the only operator interested in deploying it but only if some other operators commit as well--slim chance.
NextWave Chairman and CEO Allen Salmasi said the phone has been ringing off the hook at the company's headquarters now that the 700 MHz auction is over. Part of NextWave's strategy is to offer spectrum it owns to companies that want to enter the mobile broadband space using NextWave's end-to-end solution of products and services, which are numerous. Moreover, Salmasi said to expect to see NextWave involved in a major LTE trial later this year.
HSPA technology is reportedly facing capacity problems in Korea as the popularity of video services is hurting voice quality.--Lynnette

P.S. Group Editor-in-Chief Sue Marek will be talking about all the highs and lows from CTIA with Andy Seybold and Linda Barrabee of the Yankee Group on Thursday, April 10 at 2 p.m. EST. Be sure to tune into the lively discussion. Register here.

Google: We never intended to win 700 MHz licenses

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

Now that the 700 MHz auction winners are revealing their plans for the spectrum, Google is admitting it bid in the auction but never really intended to win the spectrum.

Instead, in a corporate blog, Google lawyers say that Google's game plan was to make sure bidding on the C block reached the $4.6 billion reserve price that would trigger the important open access conditions. "We were also prepared to gain the nationwide C block licenses at a price somewhat higher than the reserve price; in fact, for many days during the early course of the auction, we were the high bidder. But it was clear, then and now, that Verizon Wireless ultimately was motivated to bid higher (and had far more financial incentive to gain the licenses)."

For more, see this article from TheStreet.com.

Related stories:
Is 'open network' just marketing hype? Editorial
Verizon, AT&T big winners in 700 MHz auction Article
FierceWireless' special coverage of the 700 MHz auction Coverage

FCC denies Skype's Carterphone petition

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:59:57 -0400

During Tuesday's keynote address at the CTIA show, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin drew applause from the audience when he announced that the commission was going to deny Skype's petition to apply the "Carterphone" rules to the mobile phone industry. The Carterphone rules were enacted in the 1960s to force the POTS industry to allow devices other than those provided by the old AT&T to connect to the network.

Martin said that it would be premature for the commission to add more requirements to wireless carriers now that so many operators have started embracing a more open environment. Specifically he said that the 700 MHz spectrum requirements for open access had caused many operators to recognize the benefits of open platforms for networks. Verizon Wireless, of course, has said it will open its entire network to devices and applications. In addition, he said that operators like T-Mobile USA, Sprint and AT&T will embrace openness with applications.

Skype later issued a response to the chairman's remarks expressing disappointment with the chairman's comments and that the petition was consistent with the recent 700 MHz auction.

"Without Commission oversight in the area, the FCC will have taken a step backward away from openness, and toward a policy of 'trust the carriers.' While we are cautiously optimistic that the carriers will deliver greater openness, unfortunately, if the FCC acts on the Chairman's recommendation, it will have given up any tools to protect consumers if they do not," said Christopher Libertelli, Skype's Senior Director of Government & Regulatory Affairs in a release.- Sue Marek

- See all our photos of the keynotes in our slideshow

Related stories:
On the Hot Seat with Skype's Chris Libertelli. Interview
Skype petitions to FCC for open cellular access. Story

As expected, 700 MHz auction results in same faces

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 07:59:58 -0400

It appears everything went as planned for Google. It didn't have to cough up any money in the 700 MHz auction but it ensured the open-access provisions (at least most of them) that it fought for at the FCC. But with the same faces, namely Verizon and AT&T, emerging as winners in the auction, the auction isn't going to change the face of the wireless telecom industry as industry pundits had hoped.

As exciting as it would have been to see a newcomer to the wireless landscape, incumbents such as Verizon have the wherewithal to spend billions on licenses and billions more to build out network infrastructure. That's their core business. And with the 700 MHz band the last of the so-called beach-front property, operators were prepared to drive the price up to a hefty level, especially given the fact that new 4G networks need a nice chunk of extra spectrum, about 20 megahertz, to deliver the broadband data speeds that are advertised.

So the question is, how "out of the box" will Verizon be in the C Block? We're already seeing that Verizon's new open-access policy on its existing network requires a few hoops to jump through, namely third parties must first get their devices certified by the operator. And that process is expected to take four to eight weeks to complete. Likewise, the C-Block rules include a "minimal technical requirements" clause when it comes to any device and application running on the network. Certainly, whether or not these technical specifications are easy for developers to use has bearing on whether or not third parties can create innovative and compelling applications.

Will it become an environment where developers are put in a position where they have to foot the bill to build devices and services and then keep their fingers crossed that Verizon will certify them? How attractive of a proposition will that be?--Lynnette