January 2009 Archives

The Bell Has NOT Rung on WiMAX

January 30, 2009 5:08 PM

So there's been quite a bit of buzz this past few weeks about the potential demise of WiMAX.

First Nokia stopped production of their WiMAX device, then there was some news about Intel writing off their entire investment in the venture with Clearwire... It was covered all over TMCnet, but Rich summed it up nicely in his post: The Trillion Dollar Question - Is WiMAX Dying?

Now, LTE has its proponents and WiMAX has its detractors, but Carl Ford, writing on the 4GWE blog points out the following:

While many want me to point to LTE as the clear winner, I don't think this would be a sign of WiMAX's apocalypse. I instead see this as a prudent move on Nortel's part to emphasize the pieces of the solutions they own. Partnerships in Telecom are pretty easily forced by the carriers, and the real story is that no carrier is forcing Nortel to support WiMAX.

This maybe proof that WiMAX is in trouble, but it's more likely proof that the legacy Nortel customers are not looking for Nortel to go into new areas with them.

So I asked Scenna Tabesh, director of marketing communications for the WiMAX Forum, for some insight into the Nortel situation as well as the future co-existence of the two 4G approaches, LTE and WiMAX. Tabesh's thoughts appear in italics:

What does it mean to the WiMAX community that Nortel is reportedly jettisoning its Alvarion-based WiMAX offering?

No one is immunized from the global financial crisis. While the WiMAX industry anticipates a slowdown in general, WiMAX Forum still believes that at least 100 more WiMAX operators will launch commercial services in 2009. This number was expected to be higher; however, the market turmoil caused investors to become more cautious and focus on tighter risk management. Despite a tightening in investment, companies with sound business models and proven technologies, such as WiMAX, will still obtain funding during this challenging time. Meantime, we continue to be encouraged by the fact that the WiMAX industry has been growing at a reasonable pace since 2007. Toward this end, there were about 200 WiMAX networks deployed in 2008 alone. WiMAX Forum leadership surrounding the evolution of technology standards and introduction of Mobile WiMAX Certified products are on track, with the active support of the global telecommunications/wireless ecosystem.

Is there room in the market for two competing technologies (LTE & WiMAX)?

The WiMAX Forum believes the two technologies will co-exist. WiMAX is included in the IMT-2000 family of mobile wireless interface standards and is supported by a broad, open and innovative ecosystem including more than 500 member companies in the WiMAX Forum. This open ecosystem is one of the many strengths of WiMAX - it brings the flexibility of the computing industry model to the mobile world. This includes an open IPR model led by the Open Patent Alliance. Toward this end, WiMAX has already established itself in the 3.5 GHz band with deployments in every region. This is in addition to large 2.5 GHz deployments in major markets such as the US, Japan, and India. As an established technology - WiMAX is here now. There are 407 WiMAX deployments in 133 countries, over 480 WiMAX-enabled devices in development by over 80 suppliers, and there are more major WiMAX spectrum auctions on the horizon (India, Argentina, the UK, etc.).

Conversely, LTE currently has zero deployments. While marketed as an "evolution," LTE networks are a completely new upgrade. They require new infrastructure and new spectrum. While WiMAX is already in deployment, new spectrum or the re-farming of wide swaths of 2G spectrum will be necessary to free up spectrum to deploy LTE and take advantage of the wider channel bandwidths that are supported. LTE will also take time to roll out, with deployments forecast to reach limited adoption by 2012. LTE networks will require new client devices and service providers will need to purchase new radio access network (RAN) equipment in addition to upgrading their core networks to handle additional IP-based traffic.

The bottom line is this - it's still too early to bury the survivors so to speak. This market is just now getting its legs, it's early days for certain. It's a time for competing technologies, and for vendors to make and break alliances. It's that exciting time where everything is possible and yet we need to proceed cautiously.

If you're new to this market -- and most everyone is -- it makes sense to find a good source of education, to get a better understanding of the trends, vendors, politics... etc... that are driving this market today and will in the end determine the eventual "winners."

That education is available at the 4GWE Conference, which is taking place in Miami Beach next week (February 2-4) in Miami Beach.

Alvarion Responds to Nortel Change of Heart

January 30, 2009 2:24 PM

Alvarion -- playing the role of jilted lover -- is justifiably perturbed by the announcement yesterday that Nortel is "refining" their carrier focus.

By refining, Nortel is saying that the company "...has decided to discontinue its mobile WiMAX business and end its joint agreement with Alvarion Ltd."

Breaking up is never fun.

And so, in response to being jilted, Alvarion is reportedly "analyzing the details of actions it will take to mitigate the impact on its business, and expects to provide more information about these actions during its fourth quarter 2008 financial results conference call on Wednesday, February 4, 2009."

According to a release issued by Alvarion, the strategic agreement, entered into in June of last year calls for:

...among other things, the resale by Nortel of the Alvarion platform of WiMAX access products and Nortel's contribution of resources and funding to accelerate Alvarion's development of its portfolio of WiMAX base stations. Under the terms of the agreement, Nortel is obligated to pay Alvarion for certain research and development services beyond Q4; however, collection of these payments is uncertain and subject to Nortel's creditor protection proceedings.

Alvarion is figuring out what the next steps will be, but in the meantime, President and CEO Tzvika Friedman is sounding all the right notes:

We are obviously disappointed in the direction this has taken; however, Alvarion's industry position has never been stronger. In Q4, our WiMAX shipments, excluding Nortel, reached a record $54.4 million and WiMAX revenues were $42.3 million. Our book-to-bill remained well above 1, and we ended the year with over $140 million in cash on our balance sheet.

During 2008, we won numerous major WiMAX deals, both directly and with various partners. We have proven time and again that we can win against all types of competitors, large and small, and we have demonstrated our ability to implement turnkey projects with complete end-to-end solutions. On the February 4th call, we will provide more information about our strategy to mitigate the impact of the Nortel situation on our operating expenses in 2009. Meanwhile, our priority is to minimize the effect of Nortel's decision on our joint customers.

Stay tuned for the next installment of as the market churns....

ABI Research: Netbooks to Play Secondary Role

January 30, 2009 10:23 AM

Looks like ABI has been spending a lot of time researching the netbook market.

A November 2008 study targeting 1,000 North American adults found that only 11% would use a netbook as their primary computer while 79% would purchase a netbook for use in concert with a laptop or desktop computer.

According to ABI Research principal analyst Philip Solis, "While their low price does cause some consumers to view netbooks as a replacement for a laptop given the current economic conditions, the majority view a netbook as being a secondary device."

"Even as a device that is secondary to the PC, this has to cut into the laptop market somewhat. When considering another laptop as an additional device mostly for browsing the web and using other Internet-based communications applications, consumers will find netbooks to be an appropriate alternative."

Dell to Enter Smartphone Fray?

January 30, 2009 8:56 AM

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Dell is planning to release two new SMARTPHONES at the upcoming Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.

To say it's a tall order to break into this market would be an understatement. Just ask Motorola how tough it could be. And Nokia... And Ericsson...

Blackberry is hot with their Storm smartphone, and of course Apple keeps moving iPhone after iPhone. Even the Google phone from T-Mobile (T1) is enjoying some success.

But that's quite a lineup to sidle up to and say "I want to compete with you."

The reports say that Dell would release a Windows Mobile version and an Android version as well.

Sure, Dell has competed (and for a while was winning the battle) on the PC and laptop front. They have the wherewithal to market and move products and accessories.

But will they compete on design? Ease of use? Access to apps? Price?

Time will tell.

Beatles Final Gig - 40 Years On

January 30, 2009 8:38 AM

On this day in 1969, I was but a wee lad with not a care in the world. Across the pond from where I was busy forming my first words, a group of four famous Liverpudlians were making their final public appearance.

It struck me in a way that so many things these days tend to, with a growing realization that the numbers associated with my life keep getting bigger.

13 years at TMC... 16 years married...my kids are how old? When I was growing up the 60's were the near past, the 70's were in full bell bottomed swing and, well ... times were sure different, weren't they?

In any event, 40 years ago (to toss out another big number) the Beatle's held an impromptu gig atop the Apple recording studios in London's Saville Row. Bespoke suits anyone?

There were plans to hold a symbolic commemorative gig today, but guess what? Police pulled the plug on the tribute concert, much the way they did 40 years ago.

Let it be, I say. Let it be.

Skype to Verizon? Just Sayin'...

January 29, 2009 12:08 PM

First Verizon said: No more Copper by 2016.

Then word came down that Verizon was not going to stop offering voice over copper lines after all.

Next we heard speculation that eBay was going to offload Skype.

Recently we're hearing how Verizon is clipping its VoiceWing VoIP business.

It's becoming "crystal clear"

to me that Verizon is going to buy Skype and offer the VoIP service to their FiOS customers as a value add. You know, "...those cable guys are making you pay for voice... we'll give you voice for free. Oh and check out our new devices, our diverse lineup of over 100 HD channels, and for a nominal fee, please take advantage of the seamless integration with our wireless service."

With everyone else speculating that Skype might go to Google, or Microsoft, or BT or France Telecom or Cisco... I figured I'd throw Verizon's name out there.

Just sayin'...

Oh Canada! Dialexia, Sangoma Interop News

January 29, 2009 9:25 AM

Speaking of Canada, Dialexia and Sangoma today announced successful interoperability between Dialexia's award-winning IP-PBX, Dial-Office, and Sangoma's NetBorder Express Gateway.

The Dialexia-Sangoma partnership will enable enterprise customers to easily deploy the Dialexia Dial-Office all-in-one, SIP-based IP PBX and interconnect their IP Telephony with the PSTN.

Sangoma is a Gold sponsor of the upcoming ITEXPO, which kicks off in Miami Beach in just five days. Makes sense on so many levels. In addition to the obvious IP Communications hook, it's generally colder in Canada than it is in Miami Beach this time of year... Montreal = 12⁰ ... Toronto = 20⁰ ... Miami Beach = 80⁰

I can't wait!

Problems at the Post Office

January 29, 2009 8:58 AM

I heard the story on the radio coming in to work this morning, and I noticed that Rich has a post today about the Downward Spiral of Snail Mail as well.

Seems that the United States Postal Service, citing a precipitous drop in the amount of mail it carried last year, is facing a severe cash flow challenge and reported a net loss of nearly $3 billion last year alone.

Postmaster General John Potter appealed to a Senate committee yesterday, asking for among other things, the ability to cut back postal delivery to five days from the current six days a week.

Potter is asking Congress to amend a 1983 Postal Service law that mandates mail delivery every day but Sunday.

Might not seem that significant, but it would be a fundamental change to a basic service that we've all grown accustomed to. I doubt most people would complain or even notice, but for seom this may be a major inconvenience. Certainly businesses that depend on the timely delivery of certain information (periodicals, bills, etc...) would be affected.

I guess change is in the air.

Did you know that the lightest day for mail delivery is Tuesday?

Neither did I.

I know in Canada, for example, their postal service does not deliver on Saturdays.

And while I love most things Canadian, I hope that this isn't a small first step towards a giant leap in moving our government to a more Canadian model, particularly when it comes to things like taxes, national healthcare, new shoes on budget day, and a couple of other odd laws, such as:

· You may not pay for a fifty-cent item with only pennies.

· Citizens may not publicly remove bandages. (maybe this is a good thing?)

· It is illegal for clear or non-dark sodas to contain caffeine.

· In British Columbia, it is illegal to kill a Sasquatch.

· In Toronto, you can't drag a dead horse down Yonge St. on a Sunday.

Maybe the last two aren't so bad, but I think you see where I'm coming from.

Report: Consumers Willing to Pay for Citywide WiFi

January 28, 2009 9:05 AM

An interesting report came across my desk; especially noteworthy in light of the economic conditions plaguing the landscape.

According to the "Devicescape Wi-Fi Report" consumers say that they want citywide WiFi and they are willing to pay for it.

The official announcement of the study will be out tomorrow, but I was fortunate enough to get advance notice.

The report was conducted by Decipher, Inc. on behalf of Devicescape and several other players in the WiFi space, and quizzed more than 2,700 WiFi users for their opinions about the technology.

Key findings from the report include:

An overwhelming number of WiFi users expect WiFi while traveling (91%);
Most respondents (84%) want citywide WiFi, and many (56%) are willing to pay for it as they would a utility;
When traveling, the most-often used device for accessing Wi-Fi was the smartphone, such as an iPhone (vs. laptops);
The overwhelming majority of smartphone users (81%) prefer using WiFi over 3G for browsing Web sites, downloading data, Google searches and sending e-mail;
86% of respondents want OEMs to build Wi-Fi into their handsets;
82% of respondents want the service provider to provide an overall 3G/WiFi data package

The study also found that consumers often find it difficult to get and stay connected to a WiFi network when using a smartphone. The report found that "complicated login screens" were among the most common frustration consumers had when attempting to connect to a WiFi hotspot, and that nearly 90% of handset users want their service provider to offer seamless roaming between 3G and Wi-Fi networks.

Femtocells in the News

January 28, 2009 8:36 AM

The femtocell is indicative of much in the technology world these days.

Analysts are generally in agreement that the market opportunity is large, and yet fits and starts - typical of early days in any sector -- abound. Verizon's newly released Network Extender has met with mixed results. T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home service was well received, but ran into a bit of a patent issue late last year. And Ars Technica is reporting today that AT&T slipped up and released details of their offering into the space:

The new offering will be called 3G MicroCell, supports voice and 3G data, and allows 4 simultaneous calls or data sessions.

The product details reported on a new AT&T page, since pulled, were discovered by Engadget and SlipperyBrick.

Adding to the femtocell conversation, IntelliNet Technologies today announced the development of a new integrated femtocell gateway, which combines a femtocell access point controller with a carrier grade security gateway in an industry standard AdvancedTCA platform.

The idea behind this offering is to give service providers and wireless operators the ability to manage thousands of femtocells at once.

Anjan Ghosal, president and CEO of IntelliNet Technologies said:

Cellular phone service is now in line with traditional wireline as a subscriber's primary mode of communication. Our femtocell gateway offers carriers the means to heighten subscriber loyalty by drastically improving call coverage in the home or office building - areas notorious for poor service.

Digital TV Transition Put on Hold

January 26, 2009 9:55 PM

Delays, Delays...

Looks like the pending transition to digital TV (DTV) will be pending a while longer.

Reports abound that the Senate has unanimously voted to delay the cutover to DTV from the original February 22^nd date to mid June.

Now, consumers have until June 12 to decide whether they want to buy a converter box, a digital television, or switch to a cable or satellite service.

Analyst: Netbooks to Surge

January 26, 2009 11:03 AM

I bought a netbook, then I returned it without even opening it. It was a good deal, but even still the price was so close to the cost of a full-fledged laptop (with optical drive, bigger hard drive, bigger screen, etc...) that I thought I would either continue to live without or simply wait until the next generation of netbooks arrived.

I have always believed that the holidays are the worst time to buy technology as the stuff they announce at CES a month later is always more exciting. (I take buyer's remorse to extreme levels when it comes to gadgets and tech...)

Maybe waiting was a good thing.

ABI Research just released its forecast for a "market explosion" of netbooks, estimating that in 2009 we can expect to see 35 million netbooks shipped, growing to 139 million by 2013.

ABI Research Practice Director Kevin Burden describes the evolution of the portable computing tool, from the PDAs of "old" to the latest ultra-mobile PCs or UMPCs:

PDA's began our reliance on instant accessible data while traveling. When PDA functionality converged with cellular voice, smartphones became the new darling of mobile professional technology that many expected to evolve into the hub for all data and communication needs for travelling professionals. Today, with a better understanding for what a smartphone is, is not, and may never be, along with a reality check on the usefulness of UMPCs, the market remains open for new device types.

Smartphones did a lot to raise our comfort level with mobile technology as well our expectations for how connected we could be and how accessible information and data should be while on the road. Enter the netbook with its light-weight, medium-sized form factor and low-cost processors leading to moderate overall price points may finally have "right-sized" mobile technology for productive travels.

The jury is still out as far as I'm concerned. Netbooks offer a great space saving form factor and light weight, but most keyboards come in at 15-20% smaller than a traditional laptop. For a poor typist (read: fat fingers) like myself, is it worth that particular pain? Netbooks are the perfect device to leverage the wealth of Web-based apps and "from the cloud" computing tools, but why is it so hard to find one with built-in 3G wireless? What about battery life? When can I expect to get 6-8 hours from a single charge?

I know, I know, I've read the reports of HP's amazing 8-hour battery life and I've heard about Radio Shack's great deal ($99) that combines an Asus netbook with AT&T's 3G service. But that $99 turns into $1,500 bucks when you factor the cost of the service over the 2-year commitment.

Still I am intrigued by the form factor, and I believe that there is definitely a niche, whether it's for people who are extremely cost conscious, or simply looking for an alternate device fort raveling and so on.

Regardless of what I think, ABI believes we're on the verge of some serious netbook deployments. As they say, watch this space...

SIP Trunking Podcast: Avaya's Alan Klein

January 26, 2009 8:00 AM

With only one week to go before ITEXPO, it's an exciting time as we make the final preparations ahead of "The World's Communications Conference."

One of the elements of the show that has been very successful in the past is the SIP Trunking seminar, organized by Ingate Systems with sponsorship from the likes of Avaya, BandTel and others. The seminar is taking place at this year's ITEXPO as well.

Last week we ran a couple of interviews with BandTel's Joel Maloff, including a Q&A and a podcast.

We also published an interview with Avaya's Alan Klein.

Well we just posted the podcast interview with Alan. Give it a listen.

And when you're done, please cruise on over to the ITEXPO site and sign up for the SIP Trunking workshop. You'll be glad you did!

Rich on Microsoft's Response Point

January 23, 2009 2:24 PM

Rich has a nice post about the opportunity for Microsoft's Response Point phone system in the coming year.

Microsoft's John Frederiksen, General Manager of the Response Point group will be giving a keynote at the upcoming ITEXPO

Also there will be a 2-day Microsoft Response Point Solution Seminar at ITEXPO East 2009 Best part of this (aside from the education) is that it's free.

Check out Rich's post for the details.

TMC Blogs: The Week in Review

January 23, 2009 11:51 AM

What was the big story this week? No doubt it was the inauguration of Barack Obama, as the 44^th President of the United States and the first African-American to hold that post. Truly a historic day for our nation: a day when many people put politics aside to welcome our newest leader to his job, and judging by the crowds in Washington, D.C. this past Tuesday it was quite a welcome indeed.

Rich is excited. Not so much from any overtly political stance, but he's psyched that the Obama Administration appears to be well versed in technology and will likely raise the tech-level of the White House and the U.S. government in general to new heights.

In his recent post, Tech Change is Here, Rich notes that technology is not just a "nice to have" but a necessity that drives an organization's ability to compete.

Of course, with ITEXPO just 9 days away, Rich has been hard at work writing about some of the big elements of the show that will take place Feb 2-4, in Miami Beach, FL.

Among many other things, Rich blogged about the open source educational opportunities (Asterisk Training Details; Asterisk, Trixbox, and Switchvox Training), and the temperature differential, and he also posted an entry highlighting the series of interviews he conducted with the thought leaders who will be participating at the event (Come Meet the Thought Leaders at ITEXPO).

Back on the political thread... Tom posted his thoughts regarding the reported $40 Billion Broadband stimulus that the Obama Administration was proposing: President-Elect Barack Obama's $40 billion Handout Bailout to Internet Providers

While that was technically last week, this week saw a tremendous amount of activity in the comments section of his blog. There was some really interesting back and forth, and if you have any thoughts on our government spending $40 Billion on broadband, it's worth a look.

Peter Radizeski weighs in with details on the Broadband Stimulus Bill.

Tom also was busy doing what he does best, and that's writing about and reviewing gadgets, such as the Verizon Hub (a Web browsing, VoIP phone gadget...), the TechCrunch Touchpad, the AT&T tl7610 headset, and the HTC Touch Cruise.

Tony Rybczynski opened the week with a simple message: Nortel is Open for Business, underscoring the message that "Nortel plans to emerge more focused, financially sound and competitive."

On his SIP and Serve by a Foodie blog, Broadvox' David Byrd spoke of developments at his firm and some partnerships they announced this week ahead of their participation at ITEXPO.

In today's installment, Byrd also discusses the latest adventures of IP Man:

This week we announced interoperability with Panasonic's new NCP IP PBX and we released the new IP MAN Adventure featuring AudioCodes, episode 5. The new villainess, Echo, is scheduled for launch during the week of IT Expo. It's a fun story with an exciting storyline featuring Panasonic. Like the duck paddling on a pond, our calm exterior hides the furious effort below the water line.

In what's fast becoming one of my favorite features in the TMCnet blogosphere, every Monday, Byrd dishes on what he's been up to in the kitchen over the preceding weekend, in addition to providing insightful commentary on what's happening in the market. This week it was beef short ribs. Yummy.

Over in the Convergence Corner, Erik Linask discussed the significance of Interactive Intelligence integrating with IBM for enterprise-wide unified communications.

Brendan Read offered a Readerboard post on Genesys' double acquisition; Jessica Kostek covered Apple's first quarter financials as well as the "Fall of Kennedy" -- her take on Caroline Kennedy's withdrawal from consideration for the open Senate seat in NY; and Scott Bouchard vented his frustration at being unable to watch the inauguration live on CNN.

Hunter Newby had a pair of interesting posts this week on Skype and Internet-based VoIP Peering as well as the effects of broadband development on the economy.

Tsahi Levent-Levi has some great post-CES follow-up on the video solutions on display at that event, and perhaps the funniest blog post of the week, entitled The Naked Truth About Video Conferencing.

The week also saw Michael Copps named as acting Commissioner of the FCC, Microsoft announcing job cuts, Polycom announcing their quarterly numbers, and a new service guarantee from Ifbyphone.

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January 2009 Archives

The Bell Has NOT Rung on WiMAX

Alvarion Responds to Nortel Change of Heart

ABI Research: Netbooks to Play Secondary Role

Dell to Enter Smartphone Fray?

Beatles Final Gig - 40 Years On

Skype to Verizon? Just Sayin'...

Oh Canada! Dialexia, Sangoma Interop News

Problems at the Post Office

Report: Consumers Willing to Pay for Citywide WiFi

Femtocells in the News

Digital TV Transition Put on Hold

Analyst: Netbooks to Surge

SIP Trunking Podcast: Avaya's Alan Klein

Rich on Microsoft's Response Point

TMC Blogs: The Week in Review

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