NTT DoCoMo

DoCoMo building HSUPA chip

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:14:07 -0400

Japan's NTT DoCoMo has partnered with Fujitsu, Sharp and semiconductor company Renesas Technology to co-develop an HSUPA platform. DoCoMo said the SH-Mobile G4 single chip LSI device, will support HSUPA1/HSDPA2/WCDMA and GSM/GPRS/EDGE and will be completed in early 2010. Article

Sprint ends membership in NGMN Alliance after group backs LTE

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:43:52 -0400

FierceBroadbandWireless has learned Sprint has withdrawn from the The Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) Alliance, a group of global mobile operators that banded together last year to push for a common vision for networks and technologies beyond 3G. The operator was a founding member of the NGMN. News of Sprint's withdrawal was first mentioned in a research report from Signals Research.

Sprint said it ended its relationship with the NGMN Alliance after the group chose to endorse LTE (Long Term Evolution) for 4G. Sprint spokesman John Polivka said the NGMN was supposed to endorse the co-existence of various technologies without favoring one over another. In fact, he said, technology neutrality was a key tenet of the NGMN to make sure it didn't duplicate the work being done in existing standards bodies.

"Sprint was disappointed that NGMN shifted from its original technology-neutral stance. We respectfully withdrew our membership from the organization due to the change in direction," he said. "We are enthusiastically continuing with our plans to work with our burgeoning ecosystem and launch a WiMAX network in select U.S. cities beginning in the third quarter with expansion throughout 2009 and beyond."

Founding members of the NGMN Alliance include China Mobile, NTT DoCoMo, Vodafone, Orange, KPN and T-Mobile, all of whom back LTE. A quick look at the list of the 18 operator members on the NGMN Alliance web site shows the majority of the operators come from the WCDMA community, whose 4G path is LTE.

Related stories:
Femto Forum, NGMN Alliance unite for femtocells. NGMN story
NGMN announces "unprecedented" IPR plan. IPR story

ALSO NOTED: Motorola announces handoff between EV-DO Rev. A and LTE; T-Mobile USA introduces new BlackBerry with voice over WiF

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:59:51 -0400

> NTT DoCoMo says its trials of LTE hit data speeds of 250 Mb/s on the downlink. Article

> Motorola has announced the first successful packet-switched network handoff between CDMA EV-DO Rev-A and LTE technologies in a demonstration with VoIP calls and streaming video. Article

> T-Mobile USA introduced the BlackBerry 8820 smartphone with a voice over WiFi capability that enables voice connections over any public or private WiFi network. Article

> Worldwide sales of wireless LAN equipment hit $1.9 billion in 2007, says Infonetics. Release

> TeleCommunication Systems plans to demonstrate location fixes over WiMAX during CTIA. Release

And Finally... A student was booted from a Las Vegas coffee shop for not ordering enough coffee to justify his exorbitant free use of WiFi. 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

Fujitsu enters mobile WiMAX base station market

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:59:55 -0500

Fujitsu threw its hat in the mobile WiMAX base station market, introducing a family of products for the 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands. The products have been developed with partner Airspan Networks under a four-year agreement that calls for the two to co-build and market the new line of base stations. Fujitsu is branding the products as BroadOne WX, while Airspan is marketing them as MacroMAXe.

Before you think Fujitsu is a newbie to this market, consider the fact that the vendor is reportedly the front runner to win some big business with KDDI, which is spending some $1.3 billion on building a WiMAX network. In addition, Fujitsu won the sole award to build NTT DoCoMo's LTE network and has some 20,000 base stations deployed with the operator today.

To read more about Fujitsu's entrance into the WiMAX base station market:
- read this article from Unstrung
- check out this release

Related articles:
Fujitsu to develop WiMAX chips in Taiwan Report
KDDI close to announcing WiMAX vendor Report

NTT DoCoMo ends WiMAX partnership

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

NTT DoCoMo has ended its WiMAX partnership agreement with ACCA Wireless after the venture failed to secure WiMAX spectrum from the Japanese government last month.

The two had joined forces last summer for the purpose of securing a mobile WiMAX license. But Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications gave the two available broadband wireless service licenses to rival operator KDDI and PHS operator Willcom. KDDI and Willcom are expected to launch WiMAX services in 2009 and may also lease spectrum to other parties interested in offering WiMAX services.

To read more about NTT DoCoMo's failed WiMAX plans:
- take a look at this article from telecoms.com

Related articles:
NTT DoCoMo announces joint venture with ACCA Networks Report
Japan grants KDDI, Willcom wireless data licenses Report

AT&T's HSUPA launches with Sierra data card

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

AT&T is now offering the Sierra Wireless AirCard 881 for AT&T data subscribers looking to take advantage of its new HSUPA network: average upload speeds for the users will be between 500 Kbps and 800 Kbps. The carrier will announce HSUPA availability in select U.S. markets later this fall. The data card will also help users take advantage of HSDPA speeds ranging between 600 to 1,400 Kbps. The data card is backward compatible with EDGE/GPRS and mobile networks worldwide, including those in Japan and South Korea.

AT&T is being aggressive with HSUPA as it has to catch up with Verizon Wireless and Sprint, who have already rolled out faster EV-DO Rev. A networks.

For more on AT&T's HSUPA launch:
- read this press release

ALSO NOTED: When will Europe auction mobile broadband spectrum?; DoCoMo's 3G subscribers surpass 40M; and much more...

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 06:59:51 -0400

> When will Europe auction mobile broadband spectrum? Check out this chart.

> NTT DoCoMo's 3G subscribers exceed 40 million. Article

> The city of Gothenburg, Sweden, will soon form the world's largest ZigBee network. Article

And finally... eWeek likes the BlackBerry 8820. Article

DoCoMo creates WiMAX joint venture

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 06:59:55 -0400

Japanese wireless giant NTT DoCoMo announced a joint venture with ACCA Networks to deploy WiMAX technology in the 2.5 GHz band in Japan. The partnership was necessary because the Japanese government has banned existing 3G operators, such as DoCoMo, from getting any rights to the 2.5 GHz spectrum. The government wants to encourage new market entrants.

ACCA Networks will be in charge of overall management of ACCA Wireless, such as operation of high-speed wired infrastructure and sales of broadband wireless services. DoCoMo will help construct the wireless access network and provide technical assistance. DoCoMo's stake in ACCA Wireless will be limited to no more than one-third, according to government stipulations, since DoCoMo already offers 3G.

For more about the partnership between DoCoMo and ACCA Networks:
- read this release

Related articles:
- Motorola, Japan's Softbank to trial WiMAX
- NextWave to be only foreign carrier in Japan
- Alvarion's position in mobile WiMAX grows stronger

Can NextWave create economies of scale for TD-CDMA?

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Can NextWave create economies of scale for TD-CDMA?
NextWave is certainly doing its best to make sure that TD-CDMA, also known as UMTS TDD, technology breaks into mainstream. The broadband wireless technology, which works as advertised, has long suffered from a lack of economies of scale. When NextWave bought the technology's maker, IPWireless, in April many questioned how NextWave could drum up support for the technology. It may have found the answer. Late last week, NextWave announced plans to purchase a 69.23 percent stake in Tokyo-based IPMobile from Mori Trust, which bought the stake in April, and to speed up the operator's deployment of TD-CDMA technology. (See our first story.)

IPMobile secured spectrum in the 2 GHz band for mobile services in November 2005 along with Softbank and Emobile. Both of those companies have launched service, but IPMobile has struggled to find financing to deploy a TD-CDMA network. According to Liz Kerton, executive director of the Global UMTS TDD Alliance, IPMobile is expected to cover Japan with up to 8,000 base stations. She believes such a commitment to TD-CDMA should "kick production into high gear and bring major vendors into the ecosystem."

TD-CDMA backers have certainly had their fair share of disappointments. Sprint Nextel's decision to deploy WiMAX over TD-CDMA dealt a heavy blow to IPWireless last summer. The technology has had a nice handful of wins in countries such as the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Germany, South Africa, Sweden and the U.K. But they haven't created the economies of scale the technology has desperately needed.

Of course, IPMobile's success in Japan isn't a shoe-in. It's launching into one of the most cut-throat mobile markets in the world. Even the world's biggest mobile operator, Vodafone, couldn't make it there. It sold to Softbank last year. (However, Softbank has turned the business around nicely.) Plus IPMobile has to get the network up and running by October or risk losing its license. If it pulls it all off, however, IPMobile could beat the rest of the Japanese mobile industry, including giant NTT DoCoMo, to the punch when it comes to so-called 4G. NextWave Chairman and CEO Allen Salmasi said the network should be able to provide speeds of up to 30 Mbps, supporting a wide variety of bandwidth-intensive applications.

Could we finally see TD-CDMA technology moved to the upper echelon of the industry? --Lynnette

DoCoMo moves on pre-standard LTE

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo is once again looking to take the lead in the next phase of high-speed data technology. The operator said it is conducting pre-standards lab tests of what it calls Super 3G, better known as Long Term Evolution (LTE). DoCoMo has a history of moving before standards are actually finished. It did the same with WCDMA. The carrier plans on testing the network in an indoor experiment to test transmission speed using one transmitting and one receiving antenna. DoCoMo is expecting speeds of 300 Mbps on the downlink and said its Super 3G network will allow it to make a smooth transition to 4G technologies in the future.

For more on the Super 3G:
- read this press release

ALSO NOTED: HSDPA launches in Japan; New Intel platform to integrate 802.11n; and much more...

Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:01:31 -0400

> TheNEC Corporation supplied HSDPA infrastructure systems to NTT DoCoMo, which had already successfully launched a HSDPA service in Japan on August 31. Report

> Intel last week disclosed details about its next-generation mobile processor platform, including support for 802.11n. The platform will be introduced in the first half of next year and will improve on Intel's Core 2 Duo processor by offering new power saving capabilities in the CPU and a faster front-side bus from 667 to 800 MHz. Report

> See this useful discussion on how to secure WiFi WLANs in the workplace.

> The first testing of WiMAX in Vietnam will take place this month, in the northern province of Lao Cai. Intel, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the Vietnam Data Communication Company (VDC), and the US Agency for International Development will test a base station and 20 hot spots. Report

> Navini Networks used the occasion of the WiMAX Forum Plugfest to demonstrate its 802.16e equipment. Report

> Two New Zealand-based wireless groups--Telecom and Woosh--have joined a fledgling group for owners of WiMAX radio spectrum. Report

> We have seen several fixed wireless broadband technologies come and go. What does the future hold for the fixed version of WiMAX? Report

And finally...You want to spy on what someone is doing in bed at night? No need to call a PI to crawl over hedges, climb up the drain pipe and peek through a window. WiLife is offering a WiFi-enabled spy camera embedded in an alarm clock. Just give the alarm clock as a gift and watch the show. Details

802.16e revenues to reach $53B by 2011

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:01:35 -0400

Follow the money. WiMAX services will generate $53 billion in mobile revenue in 2011 and will generate $65 billion in mobile capital expenditures between now and then. These are the conclusions of a new report from TelecomView. The report analyzes the market for 3G and WiMAX in mobile networks with forecasts through 2011, along with a business case which illustrates the benefits of WiMAX architecture in high-speed mobile networks.

"We forecast that WiMAX will account for at least half of the broadband mobile service revenues in North America", said TelecomView's Ian Cox, a co-author of this report. "While we also believe that it will be a key technology in Asia, we think that it will lag behind 3G technologies in Europe given the investment being made in 3G and HSDPA." The report's other author, Bob Larribeau, said, "Our business case shows that the ROI for WiMAX is two to three times better than 3G technologies... Trials underway at Sprint, Korea Telecom, and NTT DoCoMo are a good indication that carriers are quite interested in the benefits that WiMAX brings."

For more about TelecomView report:
- see the group's Web site

WiFi mesh-networking draft standard approved

Tue, 14 Mar 2006 19:01:36 -0500

The IEEE standards group working on interoperable WiFi mesh networks has taken an important step forward by adopting a single proposal as the basis for the new standard. The new standard sets the stage for a battle royal between WiFi mesh and 802.16 technologies such as WiMAX and ETSI HiperMAN. The new standard will be called 802.11s. It will define the WLAN MAC and PHY for "extended service set mesh networking." The goal (brace yourself now) was to create a protocol for auto-configuring paths between APs over self-configuring multi-hop topologies in a wireless distribution system (WDS) to support both broadcast/multicast and unicast traffic in an ESS Mesh using the four-address frame format or an extension. Translation: The standard will allow WLAN APs mobility.

The beginning did not look promising, with 15 proposals submitted to the working group when it met in July 2005. It took two months to whittle the list to four proposals, and four more months, until January 2006, to wind them down to two proposals (or, rather, approaches). As was the case with 802.11n and UWB, powerful companies joined to create powerful coalitions behind the two approaches. The first coalition was the Wi-Mesh Alliance (WiMA), created last year and led by Nortel. Supporters include Accton Technology, ComNets, InterDigital Communications, NextHop Technologies, Philips, Extreme Networks, MITRE, Naval Research Laboratory, Swisscom Innovations and Thomson. In the opposite corner was the SEEMesh coalition, backed by Intel, Nokia, Motorola, NTT DoCoMo and Texas Instruments. To the surprise of many, the two coalitions managed to reach a compromise on a single joint proposal, which the IEEE working group quickly approved. Final approval of 802.11s is targeted for 2008.

For more on the joint mesh-networking standard:
- see this Telecomweb report

ALSO: Farpoint's Craig Mathias is bullish on mesh networks. The problem with WLANs in public venues, he writes, is the core challenge that any cellular network faces: back haul. "The interconnection of outdoor access points would normally be the source of most of the expense in deploying metro-scale WLANs, but this isn't the reality we see today. Rather, we can interconnect the access points (AP) wirelessly, using a technique based on the concept of a mesh... A wireless mesh allows APs to be connected only to power and then to interface with the rest of the infrastructure by relaying information to other APs--in other words, the back haul is wireless. This allows an operator to quite literally blanket an area with APs and provision over-the-air back haul at basically zero cost for this interconnect." Analysis

PLUS: If your company is in Tempe, AZ (but not only there), you're now faced with a decision: Should you spend money on metro-area WiFi services or cellular data services such as 1x EV-DO? Analysis

NTT to begin testing WiMax

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:01:38 -0500

NTT, Japan's largest telecommunications group, will begin testing WiMax technology next month. Various NTT groups will work together on trials of WiMax technology. The tests will examine issues such as actual throughput and potential interference to other services. This may--emphasis on may--not be good news for 3G. Recently, NTT DoCoMo said it would push the 3G technology WCDMA to faster speeds. The plan was to have this Super 3G service offer data transmission rates as high as 100 Mbps and be available in metropolitan areas as soon as 2008.

It may well be the case that NTT is looking at WiMax to complement its Super 3G offering, but it may be the case that there is a less benign agenda here. NTT is in the midst of reorganizing its Internet services, including ADSL and WiFi, under a single company called NTT Broadband Platform. The company is taking infrastructure currently operated by NTT DoCoMo, long-distance and Internet operator NTT Communications, and the NTT East and NTT West local carriers and combining it to a single platform from which group companies can offer services.

For more on NTT's move:
- read this TechWorld report

ALSO: What exactly is the worldwide potential of WiMax? Analysis

Mesh standard proposals submitted to Task Group S

Tue, 19 Jul 2005 20:01:35 -0400

Mesh networks, that is, a network in which each note is used to receive and transmit information so that the individual node does not have to be within distance of the network's AP, have been around for a while. They came onto the scene with much fanfare some four years ago, promising an uncomplicated way to address one of WiFi's major drawbacks -- its limited range. Problems with security and scalability, however, hobbled the technology, and its growth stalled. What did not help was the the third problem -- a lack of agreed-upon mesh technology standards, making consumers anxious about interoperability issues.

There is a renewed interest in the technology, which parallels the growing interest in implementing muni-WiFi networks. The first two issues have been addressed by improvements in the technology, and now the third issue is heading toward resolution. Members of the Wi-Mesh Alliance, among them Nortel, Philips, Thomson, InterDigital, and NextHop, have submitted a specification proposal to the IEEE 802.11 Task Group S, which is meeting in San Francisco.

The Alliance's proposal covers the MAC sublayer, the routing, the security, and high-layer interworking. Its authors say that it also offers an extended mesh discovery solution with dynamic autoconfiguration and integrated BSS and WLAN 802.11e QoS traffic handling. The proposal is compatible with 802.11i. The proposal will work with current WiFi standards and with the forthcoming 802.11n. Task Group S will be considering proposals, or partial proposals, from Intel, Texas Instruments, and NTT DoCoMo.

For more on the state of mesh technology:
- see InformationWeek's report
- the Wi-Mesh Alliance's website
- the IEEE Task Group S website