nortel

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

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

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

Clearwire moves solidly into VoIP market

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

WiMAX operator Clearwire is ready to make its own foray into the VoIP market. After leasing the capability from carriers, Clearwire is now deploying equipment from Nortel that will make it VoIP-enabled. Calls placed to Clearwire customers will continue to reach customers' homes through a wireless connection that is converted to Ethernet once inside the home.

Clearwire will start pushing the new service to the voice customers it has through its carrier partnerships and then eventually look to expand the service to its entire customer base.

To read more about Clearwire's VoIP plans:
- read this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
Clearwire launches VoIP in Texas Report
Clearwire launches VoIP over WiMAX network Report

Report: Users will pay more for higher speed data

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:59:53 -0500

Nortel sponsored a study that collected reactions from focus groups in the U.S. and Japan to find out how people view high-speed wireless data services. The conclusion: Mobile users are frustrated by the data speeds and are willing to pay more to get faster connections, according the study done by consulting firm CSMG Adventis. Nortel, of course, wants operators to swiftly move to 4G.

For more about the study:
- read this report from InformationWeek

Nortel, Qualcomm test new FMC solution

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:59:56 -0500

Nortel and Qualcomm announced they have tested a solution that that offers the ability to move between WiFi and cellular networks. The two say the solution will help accelerate fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) because it relies on Nortel's IMS-based Voice Call Continuity (VCC) network solution. VCC-ready phones can be available upon purchase without any additional software downloads or service-provider provisioning.

Testing was conducted using Qualcomm's IMS/VCC device client solution on a Mobile Station Modem (MSM) chipset powering a test handset together with Nortel's IMS VCC network solution in Nortel's Ottawa research and development labs. The Nortel VCC network solution is expected to be commercially available from Nortel in the first quarter of 2008. VCC-ready devices are expected to be available from Qualcomm in the market mid 2008.

For more about the announcement from Nortel and Qualcomm:
- read this report from Mobile Tech News

TerreStar's move to 4G an industry game changer?

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Satellite TerreStar Networks, formerly known as Motient, is planning to build what it calls a 4G all-IP integrated satellite/terrestrial network in North America. The company says it will offer a wholesale business model with priority access for first responders and allow other wireless carriers, third party developers and portal companies to use its 4G network. TerreStar plans to roll-out its network in late 2008 or early 2009.

Most of us know the crash-and-burn history of the MSS industry in the late 1990s. Iridium and others ran to bankruptcy courts, suffering from high operating costs. Many players are now banking their survival on incorporating an ancillary terrestrial component (ATC) that would solve a fundamental problem plaguing the MSS industry: operators' inability to penetrate buildings with satellite signals. That technical shortfall has had a tremendous constraint on demand and resulted in higher operating and equipment costs. But ATC was looking to be another me-too cellular service. However, if TerreStar can pull this strategy off, it will leap-frog the majority of operators with an all-IP next-generation network that could bring highly differentiated services.

Earlier this year, Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) teamed with Nortel to deploy a trial integrated WiMAX and satellite broadband service. TerreStar is a shareholder of MSV. Evidently, TerreStar decided against WiMAX, and it's unclear what type of "4G" technology the company is deploying since I couldn't speak with anyone before deadline. However, its safe to guess that services will include high-speed wireless voice, data and Web access, file sharing and VoIP connectivity using residential gateway devices and PC cards for users in fixed and portable modes of use. Those were the types of services MSV was testing with WiMAX.

This whole plan comes at great risk with an unproven business model and commercially unproven technology. No one has ever launched a successful wholesale business model of this type. Couple that with the unknowns surrounding full MSS/ATC integration and nascent 4G technology, and you have the potential for a lot of trial and error. But if TerreStar pulls it off, we could see quite an industry game-changer.--Lynnette

ALSO NOTED: Navini scores WiMAX deal in Bulgaria; Italy to auction WiMAX licenses in January; and much more...

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 06:59:51 -0400

> Navini scored a deal with Bulgaria's Max Telecom for a nationwide rollout of mobile WiMAX technology. Release

> Russian operator Summa Telecom has selected Alcatel-Lucent, Nortel and Huawei to build a pilot WiMAX network in Moscow, according to a report in Russian newspaper Vedomosti. Article

> The Italian Ministry of Communications (Agcom) announced that licenses for 3.4 to 3.6 GHz WiMAX spectrum will be auctioned in January 2008. Article

> Finnish electronics manufacturer Elcoteq said today that it has become a global manufacturing partner for Telsima. Article

> Canada's Rogers expanded its HSPA coverage. Article

And Finally... Can iPhones make you sterile? Article

Lucent, Nortel win WiMAX contracts in Taiwan

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Lucent and Nortel announced they too have won mobile WiMAX business with Taiwan's Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET). The news followed Motorola's major infrastructure win with FET. Nortel's deal also is part of FET's M-Taiwan project. In addition to FET's involvement in the M-Taiwan initiative, the company is one of the winners of the WiMAX radio frequency spectrum in Taiwan's recent license bid. Taiwan plans to roll out WiMAX commercial services in 2008 with six licenses issued to mobile operators in July 2007. Lucent won two contracts to support high-speed services to mobile users on the freeway between Taipei and Taoyuan International Airport. Lucent said its contract represents the largest portion of FET's overall WiMAX deployment.

For more about Nortel's and Lucent's deal with FET:
- check out this release from Nortel
- read this release from Lucent

Nortel wins WiMAX deal in Taiwan

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Nortel announced that it too has won mobile WiMAX business with Taiwan's Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET). The news followed Motorola's major infrastructure win with FET. Nortel's deal also is part of FET's M-Taiwan project. In addition to FET's involvement in the M-Taiwan initiative, the company is one of the winners of the WiMAX radio frequency spectrum in Taiwan's recent license bid. Taiwan plans to roll out WiMAX commercial services in 2008 with six licenses issued to mobile operators in July 2007.

For more about Nortel's deal with FET:
- check out this release

Nortel to bundle WiMAX devices, makes deal in Okla.

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:59:55 -0400

Nortel said it plans to enter the device market for WiMAX by adding direct sales of WiMAX-enabled devices to its end-to-end WiMAX offering. The vendor, which has been pushing aggressively in the WiMAX space, plans to offer customers early-market Wave 2-compliant devices such as PC express cards, USB dongles for laptops as well as indoor routers and outdoor gateways for WiMAX to the home or enterprise.

In related news, Nortel said it is working with Pine Cellular, Pine Telephone and Choctaw Electric Cooperative in Oklahoma to bring WiMAX to rural communities in the southeastern part of the state. Pine and Choctaw Electric Cooperative currently share the same customer base area, which allows them to share parts of their infrastructure for the WiMAX deployment. The initial deployment of 802.16e mobile WiMAX equipment into Pine Cellular and Choctaw's network will operate on 2.5GHz spectrum licensed to Pine.

For more about Nortel's WiMAX device plans and its deal in Oklahoma:
- read this press release
- take a look at this press release

Related Articles:
MSV, Nortel team on WiMAX. Article
Nortel, universities to drive 4G development. Article

Nortel teams with universities to drive 4G

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Nortel, whose future is riding on WiMAX and 4G, announced that it is teaming up with leading universities across the globe to drive 4G mobile broadband development for applications making use of video, mobile TV and other multimedia services. Nortel said it has expanded its relationships with the University of Waterloo in Canada, The University of Texas at Austin and the National Taiwan University in Taiwan. The company has also forged new R&D relationships with Mera Networks in Russia and Technische Universitaet IImenau in Germany.

For more on the R&D effort:
- read this press release

Alvarion's position in mobile WiMAX grows stronger

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Alvarion, which has made a name for itself in the fixed WiMAX market, has been a bit of a slow starter in the mobile WiMAX world--the larger market opportunity. Analysts have questioned Alvarion's position relative to its larger counterparts such as Motorola, Nortel and Samsung that have better expertise in deploying mobile broadband solutions.

This week, however, Alvarion gained some momentum. It made a deal with AT&T Alascom, which will see the operator deploy Alvarion's BreezeMAX 2.3 GHz TDD equipment as part of AT&T Alascom's deployment of mobile WiMAX in Alaska. AT&T has a substantial portfolio of 2.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz spectrum in most of the 50 largest U.S. markets. So far, the spectrum has been essentially warehoused. Could AT&T's moves in Alaska signal some plans for the continental U.S.? And could Alvarion be a significant part of those plans?

Alvarion also made a deal this week with Japanese wireless vendor Hitachi to develop mobile WiMAX technology that can be used both in Japan and in the overseas market. The two are developing equipment using the 2.5 GHz band that is licensed for WiMAX in Japan. Hitachi is a formidable competitor in Japan having worked on WiFi and other wireless technology for years and winning some major mobile contracts there.

Meanwhile, in order to deliver a mobile WiMAX ecosystem on par with larger telecom vendors and system integrators, Alvarion has taken a number of steps to grow its mobile WiMAX partnership. In January, the vendor announced work with Accton Technology to produce and deliver mobile WiMAX CPE. Following the announcement, Alvarion unveiled its OPEN WiMAX ecosystem program, pointing to interoperability with silicon providers Beceem, Intel, Runcom and Sequans and with Cisco as a core network partner.

Last month, Alvarion and Arraycomm announced a technology partnership that integrates Arraycomm's intelligent antenna solutions into Alvarion's 4Motion mobile WiMAX offering. Leveraging a combination of MIMO, beam forming and interference cancellation, Arraycomm's A-MAS solution promises to deliver Alvarion two-to-four times the coverage and spectral efficiency of the WiMAX Forum's baseline profiles.

It looks like Alvarion's investments and partnerships are beginning to pay off.--Lynnette

ALSO NOTED: Exoteq Aps makes OFDM/OFDMA licensing deal with Qualcomm; U.K.'s Urban Wimax announces partnership with Nortel;and

Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:59:51 -0400

> Exoteq Aps, a mobile broadband solutions developer in Denmark, agreed to license OFDM/OFDMA from Qualcomm. Release

> U.K. WiMAX provider, Urban Wimax, announced a partnership with Nortel to build and test a user-ready mobile WiMAX service ahead of the U.K.'s spectrum auction in early 2008. Article (telecoms.com sub. req.)

> Boingo Wireless is running a promotion for iPhone owners, giving them free WiFi in 13 North American airports during the month of August. Release

> Telecom Italia said its 3G subscribers surpassed 5 million at the end of June. Article

> Singapore's Starhub says that it will launch full HSPA service this weekend. Article

Nortel integrates RFID with muni-WiFi

Mon, 01 Jan 2007 19:01:35 -0500

RFID technology is already here, present in the supply chains of large retailers and in the passports of several countries. It is also a source of consternation among privacy advocates, who argue that the unregulated proliferation of RFID chips threatens to turn an Orwellian Big Brother society from a nightmare into a reality--especially when combined with ubiquitous wireless communication. Still, Nortel has just announced that it will offer solutions that let municipal governments use RFID to enable their existing WiFi and WiMAX infrastructure to track assets and serve as a real-time location system.

Back in October, Nortel had selected Blue Vector Systems' line of sensor networking appliances as part of its next-generation of municipal wireless solutions. Nortel said its future municipal wireless solutions will deliver such services as automated meter reading, digital video surveillance, asset tracking, fleet monitoring, and video conferencing. Blue Vector Systems' network appliances, when integrated with Nortel's solution, will allow for different sensors to be controlled, among them RFID, global positioning, and video cameras.

For more on Nortel's WiFi RFID-enabling:
- see this SDA Asia report

Nortel banks on 4G

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 20:01:39 -0400

Last week we reported of 4G developments in South Korea, but the Europeans are not standing still. Say what you will about Nortel, but the company puts its money where its mouth is: Last week the company sold its 3G access business to Alcatel so it could concentrate on developing OFDM-based 4G equipment for use in core operator networks. 4G mobile data services will offer up to 40 Mbps of bandwidth to end-users. Darryl Edwards, European president of Nortel, boldly told Computing that OFDM-based rather than WiMAX-based 4G would be the cornerstone of mobile multimedia services such as IPTV in the future. "UMTS was built for optimizing voice and data, not video or multimedia," he said. "4G will be built for that and will offer users 40 Mbps or more [of mobile bandwidth]. The trick is how you reduce costs on the network."

There have been several 4G trials in Japan and the U.S.--with reports that bandwidth of up to 2.5 Gbps being achieved in test conditions. Sprint Nextel already announced plans to develop and deploy a WiMAX-based 4G broadband mobile network across the U.S.

By the way: Why did Nortel sell its 3G business? "We would have loved to stay in 3G," Edwards said. "We had a great portfolio but not the scale of someone like Alcatel or Huawei and that's why we sold the business."

For more on Nortel 4G moves:
- see Martin Courtney's Computing report

ALSO NOTED: Nortel enters Australia WLAN hardware market; Pune, India, subcontinent's first WiFi-enabled city; and much more...

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Nortel has entered the crowded WLAN hardware market in Australia with the launch of a range of enterprise-ready convergence products. Report

> Siemens has released Sinema E (Simatic Network Manager Engineering), a software tool for planning, simulation and configuration of industrial WLAN applications. Report

> Pune, India, is going to be the subcontinent's first WiFi-enabled city. Article

> Trinity Convergence, a provider of voice and video over IP embedded software solutions, says version 2.2 of its VeriCall Edge VoIP software platform is available. Release

And Finally... Marty Cooper invented the cell phone three decades ago. He predicts that in 10 years, high-speed mobile Internet connections will be so commonplace, people will take them for granted. The key technology behind such capability: WiMax. Article

Nortel pushes mesh in Canada, elsewhere

Tue, 08 Nov 2005 19:01:39 -0500

Mesh networking technology is picking up after dropping the ball two or three years ago (it faced problems of security and scalability). Cisco is about to release a mesh product, and now Nortel is teaming up with service provider SimplySurf Wireless Network to offer wireless broadband through a mesh network in rural Ontario. The firm will add other networks in and around Ottawa over time.

Nortel is demonstrating another rural mesh network in the small Canadian town of Chapleau. As broadband deployments go, we are talking of something rather small--the Dunrobin deployment uses fewer than 20 APs--but pushing into rural areas is central to Nortel's mesh strategy. Dan Jones quotes a Nortel VP as saying that the company is also targeting citywide wireless deployments, campuses, and the "homeland security" market with its indoor and outdoor mesh nodes and wireless bridge equipment.

On the other side of the scale: Nortel's mesh network in Taipei will be the biggest metropolitan public access network ever built, with 10,000 access points offering WiFi to 3 million citizens.

For more in the rural mesh deployment:
- see SimplySurf's press release
- read Dan Jones' Unstrung report