Friday, December 01, 2006
Great White Shark Enterprises and Dubai Investors
GPS Industries, Inc has signed a definitive investment agreement with Great White Shark Enterprises and Leisurecorp who is part of the Istithmar group. Istithmar is an alternative investment house based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is 100 percent owned by Dubai World, which is in turn wholly owned by the Government of Dubai. Greg Normon is invloved in alot of stuff these days. Check out his web site. http://www.shark.com
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Atlanta Issues City Wide WiFi RFP
Yesterday at the Muniwireless Conference in Silicon Valley CA, Abe Kani, Chief Information Officer for the City of Atlanta, announced the City of Atlanta is actively seeking a public/private partnership to deploy an affordable wireless network throughout the City’s 132 square miles at no cost to the City.
Wireless Atlanta will provide low-cost high-speed Internet access to residents, businesses, and visitors anytime and anywhere within the city. The City will also be able to use the network for mobile connectivity, strengthening public safety and streamlining government operations.
Mayor Shirley Franklin cast a new vision for the City at the start of her second term. The Wireless Atlanta initiative will help achieve the Mayor’s Vision for the City by improving the quality of life, promoting tourism and economic development, and leapfrogging city service levels.
“The Wireless Atlanta initiative will add tremendous value to our citizens, businesses and visitors with no use of taxpayer dollars…” said Abe Kani, Chief Information Officer. “The network will strengthen the quality of life for citizens and strengthen public safety through innovative applications.”
The request for proposal (RFP) sets forth the specifications of the broadband network, addressing issues including the network’s business model and services, coverage area, open access policies, network infrastructure, customer services, security and privacy, as well as contributions the network provider will make regarding the other important elements of the Wireless Atlanta strategy.
The RFP requires that no tax dollars be used to fund the capital or operating expenses of the network. Companies that respond are also encouraged to commit to launching and supporting community technology programs to close the digital divide.
Today’s RFP issuance begins a 60-day process to determine how the City will achieve affordable wireless broadband access throughout the City of Atlanta. Interested parties can visit and monitor the Wireless Atlanta webpage and download the RFP and other documents at http://apps.atlantaga.gov/wirelessatlanta/.
Wireless Atlanta will provide low-cost high-speed Internet access to residents, businesses, and visitors anytime and anywhere within the city. The City will also be able to use the network for mobile connectivity, strengthening public safety and streamlining government operations.
Mayor Shirley Franklin cast a new vision for the City at the start of her second term. The Wireless Atlanta initiative will help achieve the Mayor’s Vision for the City by improving the quality of life, promoting tourism and economic development, and leapfrogging city service levels.
“The Wireless Atlanta initiative will add tremendous value to our citizens, businesses and visitors with no use of taxpayer dollars…” said Abe Kani, Chief Information Officer. “The network will strengthen the quality of life for citizens and strengthen public safety through innovative applications.”
The request for proposal (RFP) sets forth the specifications of the broadband network, addressing issues including the network’s business model and services, coverage area, open access policies, network infrastructure, customer services, security and privacy, as well as contributions the network provider will make regarding the other important elements of the Wireless Atlanta strategy.
The RFP requires that no tax dollars be used to fund the capital or operating expenses of the network. Companies that respond are also encouraged to commit to launching and supporting community technology programs to close the digital divide.
Today’s RFP issuance begins a 60-day process to determine how the City will achieve affordable wireless broadband access throughout the City of Atlanta. Interested parties can visit and monitor the Wireless Atlanta webpage and download the RFP and other documents at http://apps.atlantaga.gov/wirelessatlanta/.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
MuniWiFi Update from Andrew M. Seybold
Commentary June 12, 2006
Andrew M. Seybold
Muni-Wi-Fi Update
On June 29 I will be driving down to Anaheim, Calif.for the ribbon cutting of the EarthLink Muni-Wi-Fisystem that will be turned on officially for thatcity. There will be speeches, press events, a bigblast and a lot of brouhaha for this event. After all,it is the first city EarthLink is turning on and oneof the biggest cities to test the muni-Wi-Fi waters.
I am interested in seeing how this system works on dayone. I'm sure it will work well, at least where we areto gather, but the real story will come six monthsfrom now when I return to Anaheim and try to connectto the system from a variety of locations. I suspect Iwill find a very different network from the one we areshown on opening day.
Why? Because by then the network will have settled in,more access points will have been added by EarthLinkand/or private parties who want to use Wi-Fi for itsintended purpose, which is the last 300 feet. It willbe interesting to see how the system fairs over time. Many cities are moving ahead with great expectationsfor Wi-Fi for the masses. New Orleans is the latestwin for EarthLink and San Francisco is moving forward,as are Philadelphia and hundreds of other cities andtowns across the nation. Most interesting to me isthat many are coming on line or planning to come online in the next six months.
You would think theywould want to look at cities that already have systemsup and running for information, but it appears eachcity only hears what it wants to hear.Before I go too far, I should say that I met withfolks from EarthLink who seem to understand that thereis a lot of risk involved. They also know, as doesGoogle, that they need to attract more eyeballs inorder to grow and muni-Wi-Fi seems to be a great wayto do that. EarthLink may have an advantage because italready has a customer service center and expertise inproviding Internet services.But I still believe the cards are stacked against themand anyone who tries to make a viable business out ofWi-Fi on a wide-area basis. Have you heard what isgoing on in Burbank, Calif.?
Interference is the ruleof the day. Consider the recent events in Sacramento,Calif. where the city council wanted the winningbidder (MobilePro) to amend their contract and fund afree Wi-Fi service that was to be paid for byadvertising without the city serving as an anchortenant. MobilePro's response was to pull out of theproject leaving Sacramento having to go back out tobid. According to press sources, the city kept askingMobilePro to match deals that were being made in othercities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco andPortland, none of which are operational and none ofwhich have a proven business model. I think MobileProis probably the smartest muni-Wi-Fi systems providerbecause it said no to the city.
MobilePro had agreed to provide free service tolow-income residents at 56 Kbps (dial-up speeds). Thecity was asking for speeds up to 300 Kbps and wouldnot sign up for an anchor tenant position. The systemis estimated to cost about $8 million and that is onlythe beginning. That was for a system that worked onday one, not a system that worked six months into thefuture or a year later. The quote from MobilePro istelling: "We can't spend millions on a citywidedeployment, plus annual operating costs of millionsmore, and not any types of returns except onadvertising." (Google, are you reading this?) When Mobile Pro asked the city to be an anchor tenant,its response was that it thought others were "comingout of the gate with an ad-supported free service, andthat's the way we want to go."
No city, to myknowledge, has implemented that type of modelsuccessfully. It has been discussed, but thedifference between talking about it and making it workare very different.In Sacramento, the winner is not the winner. Accordingto sources, the city will rebid the project withtighter requirements and try again, and I say goodluck to them. If I was going to spend $8 millionputting in a muni-Wi-Fi system, I would at least wantto know that the city would pay every month for usingit. I would factor its payment into the cost of thesystem and the cost of the money and determine whetherI could make a profit. If I could, I would probablymove forward, but today there are no models from whichto choose.
There are no companies making moneyproviding muni-Wi-Fi services, only companies thatthink and hope they will. EarthLink is a good company that has made money foryears and seems to know a lot about the ISP business.Like other companies, including AOL, it is beingpushed to find new sources of revenue as Internetconnections become cheaper, data speeds for DSL andcable continue to increase and the price per monthcontinues to erode. It already knows how to run acustomer support center and understands that customerservice is key to success.
However, it is talkingabout providing service in an unlicensed portion ofspectrum, giving away the wireless modem and perhapseven a device to help customers extend coverage deepinto their houses and businesses and trying to find aviable business model for this service. Anaheim will be a key test for EarthLink. Can it keepthe network's performance where it needs to be? Can itentice customers with slower-speed access to upgradeto faster access? Can it afford to keep the network atthe same operational level as day one?These are unanswered questions, to be sure. IsEarthLink willing, like Google seems to be, to losemoney on access to make it up on eyeballs? If it is,the economic situation changes.
If eyeballs are all itwants, or customers for its ISP service, perhaps itcan make a go of this. But if muni-Wi-Fi is supposedto be a standalone business that makes money, my betis that it will never fly.I think the folks at MobilePro are smarter than theaverage muni-Wi-Fi provider. At least they know thebottom line and know if they spend $8 million on asystem for Sacramento, they will have to be able torecover that money and make money on top of it. As Isee it, this is a difficult to impossible task basedon the price of backhaul and Internet connectivity.
The feeding frenzy for muni-Wi-Fi continues. More andmore cities are signing up and more and more companiesare pushing their products for muni-Wi-Fi access. Butat the end of the day, it is possible that the onlypeople who will make money on muni-Wi-Fi will be thosewho sell the equipment. Do these folks know how to build a spreadsheet model?Let's see, I give the customer about $50 worth of freeequipment, I give them 300 Kbps for free and I expectthe city or advertisers to make up the cost andprovide a profit. After I build the system, I have toprovide customer support and guide customersinstalling software onto computers with unknownstatus.
As a customer, I have to assume my wirelessmodem can see the access point on a light pole, toomany of my neighbors won't sign up so I will getdecent speeds (Quality of Service?) and the guy nextdoor won't go down to his local computer store and buya Wi-Fi access point for his DSL or cable connectionand interfere with the signal I am receiving (justbarely) from the light pole three houses down thestreet.I'm sorry, but I have visions of a small business thatreally needs email access not having it and my son ordaughter having a school project due tomorrow and notbeing able to access the Internet because there isinterference or my neighbor is downloading videos. Iwonder how I would react, even if the service is free.
I think I would expect it to be consistent, and if Iagreed to pay for it and did not have it 24/7 at adecent speed, I would be really upset.And I haven't even mentioned that each access point'sfinite amount of bandwidth available is shared. If myneighbors don't hog it, how do I know my city won't?In New Orleans where EarthLink is also the winner, Iunderstand I will be competing with the city's videocamera feeds, public safety, city services andcustomers who are paying good money for higher-speedservices. What do I have to do to ensure that when Ineed access to the Internet it is there and it is at areasonable speed?
Because we have very few of these systems up andrunning, we don't have answers to most of thesequestions. Time will tell. That is why I'm going toAnaheim on June 29 and why I will go back six monthslater. Stand by!
Andrew Seybold
Copyright 2006
Outlook 4Mobility
Andrew M. Seybold
Muni-Wi-Fi Update
On June 29 I will be driving down to Anaheim, Calif.for the ribbon cutting of the EarthLink Muni-Wi-Fisystem that will be turned on officially for thatcity. There will be speeches, press events, a bigblast and a lot of brouhaha for this event. After all,it is the first city EarthLink is turning on and oneof the biggest cities to test the muni-Wi-Fi waters.
I am interested in seeing how this system works on dayone. I'm sure it will work well, at least where we areto gather, but the real story will come six monthsfrom now when I return to Anaheim and try to connectto the system from a variety of locations. I suspect Iwill find a very different network from the one we areshown on opening day.
Why? Because by then the network will have settled in,more access points will have been added by EarthLinkand/or private parties who want to use Wi-Fi for itsintended purpose, which is the last 300 feet. It willbe interesting to see how the system fairs over time. Many cities are moving ahead with great expectationsfor Wi-Fi for the masses. New Orleans is the latestwin for EarthLink and San Francisco is moving forward,as are Philadelphia and hundreds of other cities andtowns across the nation. Most interesting to me isthat many are coming on line or planning to come online in the next six months.
You would think theywould want to look at cities that already have systemsup and running for information, but it appears eachcity only hears what it wants to hear.Before I go too far, I should say that I met withfolks from EarthLink who seem to understand that thereis a lot of risk involved. They also know, as doesGoogle, that they need to attract more eyeballs inorder to grow and muni-Wi-Fi seems to be a great wayto do that. EarthLink may have an advantage because italready has a customer service center and expertise inproviding Internet services.But I still believe the cards are stacked against themand anyone who tries to make a viable business out ofWi-Fi on a wide-area basis. Have you heard what isgoing on in Burbank, Calif.?
Interference is the ruleof the day. Consider the recent events in Sacramento,Calif. where the city council wanted the winningbidder (MobilePro) to amend their contract and fund afree Wi-Fi service that was to be paid for byadvertising without the city serving as an anchortenant. MobilePro's response was to pull out of theproject leaving Sacramento having to go back out tobid. According to press sources, the city kept askingMobilePro to match deals that were being made in othercities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco andPortland, none of which are operational and none ofwhich have a proven business model. I think MobileProis probably the smartest muni-Wi-Fi systems providerbecause it said no to the city.
MobilePro had agreed to provide free service tolow-income residents at 56 Kbps (dial-up speeds). Thecity was asking for speeds up to 300 Kbps and wouldnot sign up for an anchor tenant position. The systemis estimated to cost about $8 million and that is onlythe beginning. That was for a system that worked onday one, not a system that worked six months into thefuture or a year later. The quote from MobilePro istelling: "We can't spend millions on a citywidedeployment, plus annual operating costs of millionsmore, and not any types of returns except onadvertising." (Google, are you reading this?) When Mobile Pro asked the city to be an anchor tenant,its response was that it thought others were "comingout of the gate with an ad-supported free service, andthat's the way we want to go."
No city, to myknowledge, has implemented that type of modelsuccessfully. It has been discussed, but thedifference between talking about it and making it workare very different.In Sacramento, the winner is not the winner. Accordingto sources, the city will rebid the project withtighter requirements and try again, and I say goodluck to them. If I was going to spend $8 millionputting in a muni-Wi-Fi system, I would at least wantto know that the city would pay every month for usingit. I would factor its payment into the cost of thesystem and the cost of the money and determine whetherI could make a profit. If I could, I would probablymove forward, but today there are no models from whichto choose.
There are no companies making moneyproviding muni-Wi-Fi services, only companies thatthink and hope they will. EarthLink is a good company that has made money foryears and seems to know a lot about the ISP business.Like other companies, including AOL, it is beingpushed to find new sources of revenue as Internetconnections become cheaper, data speeds for DSL andcable continue to increase and the price per monthcontinues to erode. It already knows how to run acustomer support center and understands that customerservice is key to success.
However, it is talkingabout providing service in an unlicensed portion ofspectrum, giving away the wireless modem and perhapseven a device to help customers extend coverage deepinto their houses and businesses and trying to find aviable business model for this service. Anaheim will be a key test for EarthLink. Can it keepthe network's performance where it needs to be? Can itentice customers with slower-speed access to upgradeto faster access? Can it afford to keep the network atthe same operational level as day one?These are unanswered questions, to be sure. IsEarthLink willing, like Google seems to be, to losemoney on access to make it up on eyeballs? If it is,the economic situation changes.
If eyeballs are all itwants, or customers for its ISP service, perhaps itcan make a go of this. But if muni-Wi-Fi is supposedto be a standalone business that makes money, my betis that it will never fly.I think the folks at MobilePro are smarter than theaverage muni-Wi-Fi provider. At least they know thebottom line and know if they spend $8 million on asystem for Sacramento, they will have to be able torecover that money and make money on top of it. As Isee it, this is a difficult to impossible task basedon the price of backhaul and Internet connectivity.
The feeding frenzy for muni-Wi-Fi continues. More andmore cities are signing up and more and more companiesare pushing their products for muni-Wi-Fi access. Butat the end of the day, it is possible that the onlypeople who will make money on muni-Wi-Fi will be thosewho sell the equipment. Do these folks know how to build a spreadsheet model?Let's see, I give the customer about $50 worth of freeequipment, I give them 300 Kbps for free and I expectthe city or advertisers to make up the cost andprovide a profit. After I build the system, I have toprovide customer support and guide customersinstalling software onto computers with unknownstatus.
As a customer, I have to assume my wirelessmodem can see the access point on a light pole, toomany of my neighbors won't sign up so I will getdecent speeds (Quality of Service?) and the guy nextdoor won't go down to his local computer store and buya Wi-Fi access point for his DSL or cable connectionand interfere with the signal I am receiving (justbarely) from the light pole three houses down thestreet.I'm sorry, but I have visions of a small business thatreally needs email access not having it and my son ordaughter having a school project due tomorrow and notbeing able to access the Internet because there isinterference or my neighbor is downloading videos. Iwonder how I would react, even if the service is free.
I think I would expect it to be consistent, and if Iagreed to pay for it and did not have it 24/7 at adecent speed, I would be really upset.And I haven't even mentioned that each access point'sfinite amount of bandwidth available is shared. If myneighbors don't hog it, how do I know my city won't?In New Orleans where EarthLink is also the winner, Iunderstand I will be competing with the city's videocamera feeds, public safety, city services andcustomers who are paying good money for higher-speedservices. What do I have to do to ensure that when Ineed access to the Internet it is there and it is at areasonable speed?
Because we have very few of these systems up andrunning, we don't have answers to most of thesequestions. Time will tell. That is why I'm going toAnaheim on June 29 and why I will go back six monthslater. Stand by!
Andrew Seybold
Copyright 2006
Outlook 4Mobility
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Wireless Carrier Broadband Bottle Neck
Some time ago I worked for Verizon Wireless and back then before the roll out of EVDO I worked as a Data Solution Manager selling mobile data services. Back then I noticed that eventually there would be a capacity problem at cell sites that had high traffic or areas where more mobile data users are trying to use the wireless data network for internet access. It wasn't really a problem when a 40k to 120K connection is all that is avaiable. Now consumers are expecting WiFi type of wireless access with 300K to 1 megabyte of connectivity. A recent online article All-you-can-eat 3G may not last explored the capacity concerns that wireless carrier like Verizon Wireless. On average I believe most cell sites have a single T-1 line, those creating a bottle neck. This would only be a problem at base station with high traffic. If a carrier was to provide what they are advertising true broadband connectivity, a T-1 back haul would not be enough bandwidth. This is where WiMAX would fit nicely. As mentioned in the article above, Sprint seems to be the only wireless carrier of is making efforts to accommodate and giving what mobile professional and wireless consumers are asking for.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Alvarion Announces Self Install WiMAX CPE
The BreezeMax Si is designed for indoor deployment, and works with their existing WiMax gear. The 802.16-2004-based CPE (using chips from Intel) handles both FDD and TDD (frequency time division duplexing), and implicitly can work with the same 2 GHz to 6 GHz range of possible frequencies that their BreezeMax base stations can operate in. FDD requires dedicated frequencies for uplink and downlink, while TDD uses synchronization to allow dynamic asymmetric traffic flows.
Rread the complete Alvarion Press Release
Rread the complete Alvarion Press Release
Monday, June 12, 2006
Mobile Pro Pulls out of Sacramento
Last year MobilePro won a competitive bid and later conducted a successful pilot project in the city's downtown area that provided outdoor public Wi-Fi Internet access and real-time video applications in Sacramento's Cesar Chavez Plaza Park.
MobilePro said that after being declared the RFP winner and going through a lengthy permitting process, the city forwarded MobilePro a counter proposal requiring that the company establish a free high-speed wireless network supported almost exclusively by advertising revenue without the benefit of the city serving as an anchor tenant. Based on the company's successful Tempe, Ariz. model, MobilePro's original proposal provided for limited area, limited bandwidth, no-cost service but required higher bandwidth broadband users to pay a monthly fee. MobilePro also offered an alternative designed to close the "digital divide" to the city's low-income quintile of residents, which included the city serving as an anchor tenant, but this proposal was likewise rejected by the city.
MobilePro President and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Sullivan said, "It is our understanding based on the final request of the City of Sacramento that the city would require MobilePro to provide free high-speed wireless Internet service to all residents and have the company rely primarily on advertising revenues for its profits and returns on investment. Based upon MobilePro's research and experience as one of the leading Wi-Fi broadband wireless network service providers to municipalities in North America, MobilePro does not believe that an advertising-supported business case is financially sustainable. At this time, we view such a restrictive economic model as incompatible with our original long-term plans for both the residents of Sacramento as well as the MobilePro stockholders."
Sullivan added, "We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Sacramento and wish the city the best of luck moving forward with this project in a manner that fits its needs. MobilePro will continue to actively pursue its access-based revenue business model with other municipalities throughout the United States in the future as we have in the past."
About MobilePro Corp.
MobilePro Corp., based in Bethesda, Md., is one of North America's leading wireless broadband companies. The company serves over 220,000 total customer lines throughout the United States, primarily through its CloseCall America, AFN and Kite subsidiaries.
An investment profile about MobilePro Corp. may be found online at www.hawkassociates.com/mobilepro/profile.php.
Check out MobilePro's web site
MobilePro said that after being declared the RFP winner and going through a lengthy permitting process, the city forwarded MobilePro a counter proposal requiring that the company establish a free high-speed wireless network supported almost exclusively by advertising revenue without the benefit of the city serving as an anchor tenant. Based on the company's successful Tempe, Ariz. model, MobilePro's original proposal provided for limited area, limited bandwidth, no-cost service but required higher bandwidth broadband users to pay a monthly fee. MobilePro also offered an alternative designed to close the "digital divide" to the city's low-income quintile of residents, which included the city serving as an anchor tenant, but this proposal was likewise rejected by the city.
MobilePro President and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Sullivan said, "It is our understanding based on the final request of the City of Sacramento that the city would require MobilePro to provide free high-speed wireless Internet service to all residents and have the company rely primarily on advertising revenues for its profits and returns on investment. Based upon MobilePro's research and experience as one of the leading Wi-Fi broadband wireless network service providers to municipalities in North America, MobilePro does not believe that an advertising-supported business case is financially sustainable. At this time, we view such a restrictive economic model as incompatible with our original long-term plans for both the residents of Sacramento as well as the MobilePro stockholders."
Sullivan added, "We appreciate the opportunity to work with the City of Sacramento and wish the city the best of luck moving forward with this project in a manner that fits its needs. MobilePro will continue to actively pursue its access-based revenue business model with other municipalities throughout the United States in the future as we have in the past."
About MobilePro Corp.
MobilePro Corp., based in Bethesda, Md., is one of North America's leading wireless broadband companies. The company serves over 220,000 total customer lines throughout the United States, primarily through its CloseCall America, AFN and Kite subsidiaries.
An investment profile about MobilePro Corp. may be found online at www.hawkassociates.com/mobilepro/profile.php.
Check out MobilePro's web site
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Metalink Ltd., a provider of high-performance wireless and wireline broadband communication silicon solutions, today announced that it will demonstrate its WLANPlus chipset, a technology based on the emerging 802.11n standard, with unique capabilities for wireless multimedia distribution, at Interop Japan in Tokyo, June 5-9, 2006, at booth #4U22.
The demonstrations will feature the delivery of high-definition television (HDTV) over wireless LAN, at wire line quality, using Metalink's WLANPlus technology. WLANPlus is an advanced Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) technology, designed to enable high-throughput, rich-content, quality-critical applications. Targeted at the emerging 802.11n standard, WLANPlus introduces a significant increase in WLAN throughput and range over 802.11a or 802.11g. WLANPlus addresses the growing need for wireless A/V streaming and high-speed data. Exhibiting breakthrough data rates in true indoor environments, WLANPlus is suitable for products and services that require guaranteed performance and large bandwidth, while supporting WiFi legacy interoperability. This solution provides an optimal high-throughput wireless interface for various consumer electronics products such as Residential Gateways, DTV, HDTV, Set Top Boxes, Media Adaptors and Digital Video Recorders (DVR).
Check out MetaLink's web site
The demonstrations will feature the delivery of high-definition television (HDTV) over wireless LAN, at wire line quality, using Metalink's WLANPlus technology. WLANPlus is an advanced Wireless Local Area Networking (WLAN) technology, designed to enable high-throughput, rich-content, quality-critical applications. Targeted at the emerging 802.11n standard, WLANPlus introduces a significant increase in WLAN throughput and range over 802.11a or 802.11g. WLANPlus addresses the growing need for wireless A/V streaming and high-speed data. Exhibiting breakthrough data rates in true indoor environments, WLANPlus is suitable for products and services that require guaranteed performance and large bandwidth, while supporting WiFi legacy interoperability. This solution provides an optimal high-throughput wireless interface for various consumer electronics products such as Residential Gateways, DTV, HDTV, Set Top Boxes, Media Adaptors and Digital Video Recorders (DVR).
Check out MetaLink's web site
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Is it time for Muni WiFi from the Big Wireless Carriers?
Back in 2001 while taking some courses to finish my Masters degree I wrote a paper on the business case for a wireless carrier like Verizon Wireless, who I was working for at the time, to deploy WiFi equipment at each of their cell locations. While using existing infrastructure and asset the big wireless carrier could quickly build a large wireless data network. But Verizon Wireless and Qualcomm had a different view of what the future of wide area wireless data looked like. Qualcomm still wants to discount the compelling use of WiFi technology for Muni wireless broadband systems. Mobile WiMAX may be a way to have WiFi like connection across a lager area.
According to Yankee Group estimates there are around 300 municipal wireless projects in the US, and municipal wireless projects will probably account for a USD 400 million spend next year, a heady year-on-year growth, albeit from a modest base. I may be way off base but it seems that the big wireless carriers could easily take control of this rapidly growing Muni WiFi movement and spin it to their advantage. The wireless carriers are seeing a shift in traditional voice revenue as IP convergence takes place as more data and IP packets travel across these wide area wireless connections. For now it is still a distance versus speed issue. Meaning distance away from a Cell Site/AP versus the actual bandwidth the users will experience out in the field. Newer UTMS and EVDO technologies have significantly increased the mobile data speeds but are still much slower than the old 802.11b standard that has been around for some time now. This is why it is important to use a Mobile Router solution either via hardware or software that allows for the user to seamless roam between wireless networks. This is where I feel the wireless carriers could have really stepped up and hit a home run with Wide Area Networks in place and with the in house resources the major wireless carriers could have deployed smaller higher speed WiFi type network that would roam onto their wide area mobile data networks. Sprint and T-Mobile probably did the most with regards to WiFi with agreements with Star Bucks, major airports, and hot spots aggregator like Boingo and Wayport. Maybe the timing is now right for the big carriers to take 802.11 seriously and use it to their advantage.
According to Yankee Group estimates there are around 300 municipal wireless projects in the US, and municipal wireless projects will probably account for a USD 400 million spend next year, a heady year-on-year growth, albeit from a modest base. I may be way off base but it seems that the big wireless carriers could easily take control of this rapidly growing Muni WiFi movement and spin it to their advantage. The wireless carriers are seeing a shift in traditional voice revenue as IP convergence takes place as more data and IP packets travel across these wide area wireless connections. For now it is still a distance versus speed issue. Meaning distance away from a Cell Site/AP versus the actual bandwidth the users will experience out in the field. Newer UTMS and EVDO technologies have significantly increased the mobile data speeds but are still much slower than the old 802.11b standard that has been around for some time now. This is why it is important to use a Mobile Router solution either via hardware or software that allows for the user to seamless roam between wireless networks. This is where I feel the wireless carriers could have really stepped up and hit a home run with Wide Area Networks in place and with the in house resources the major wireless carriers could have deployed smaller higher speed WiFi type network that would roam onto their wide area mobile data networks. Sprint and T-Mobile probably did the most with regards to WiFi with agreements with Star Bucks, major airports, and hot spots aggregator like Boingo and Wayport. Maybe the timing is now right for the big carriers to take 802.11 seriously and use it to their advantage.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Can WiMAX kill 3G?
This morning I notived a very interesting article on the growth of WiMAX and how it could change the wireless broadband lndscape.
“We need some big elephants,” says the senior executive of a Tier 1 vendor in Vienna this week. The "elephants" he means are simply the incumbent operator customers and large national networks that with large procurement contracts would drive the WiMAX community forward, and prices down for everyone, leading to further economies of scale in a virtuous cycle. Some of this may just be beginning to happen.
Read complete story
“We need some big elephants,” says the senior executive of a Tier 1 vendor in Vienna this week. The "elephants" he means are simply the incumbent operator customers and large national networks that with large procurement contracts would drive the WiMAX community forward, and prices down for everyone, leading to further economies of scale in a virtuous cycle. Some of this may just be beginning to happen.
Read complete story
Thursday, May 18, 2006
M2Z offered U.S. Treasury 5% of gross revenues
WASHINGTON, May 16 (Reuters) - Three Silicon Valley venture capital firms are backing a project to grab a slice of valuable U.S. wireless airwaves to offer nationwide high-speed Internet service, according to a recent regulatory filing.
M2Z is trying to capitalize on President George W. Bush's call to have universal access to high-speed Internet, known as broadband, by 2007. The United States recently fell to 16th in world rankings for broadband penetration.
"M2Z's ultimate goal, through its own service, is to drive development of the broadband marketplace so that access is affordable and future penetration levels are near-ubiquitous throughout the country," the company said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
Read complete story
M2Z is trying to capitalize on President George W. Bush's call to have universal access to high-speed Internet, known as broadband, by 2007. The United States recently fell to 16th in world rankings for broadband penetration.
"M2Z's ultimate goal, through its own service, is to drive development of the broadband marketplace so that access is affordable and future penetration levels are near-ubiquitous throughout the country," the company said in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.
Read complete story
Monday, May 08, 2006
Toronto Hydro Deploys Canada's Largest Wi-Fi Zone
Toronto Hydro Telecom plans to make Toronto the largest ubiquitous Wi-Fi zone in Canada. Negotiations with Siemens Communications Group relating to the terms and conditions of equipment supply, implementation and services are ongoing and have not yet been finalized.
"Siemens’ proposal was based on leading-edge third-generation wireless technology that more than meets our criteria for reliability, speed and scalability. That's exactly what a world-class city such as Toronto needs in order to steer a course to greater competitiveness and productivity," said David Dobbin, President, Toronto Hydro Telecom.
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"Siemens’ proposal was based on leading-edge third-generation wireless technology that more than meets our criteria for reliability, speed and scalability. That's exactly what a world-class city such as Toronto needs in order to steer a course to greater competitiveness and productivity," said David Dobbin, President, Toronto Hydro Telecom.
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The United States Department of Commerce (2002) noted, “Broadband high-speed, always on Internet connectivity represents the next phase in the evolution of the Internet. Most experts predict broadband access will enable the creation of new applications and services that will transform economies and significantly impact the competitiveness of the businesses of the future”. It is clear that the internet has changed the way we work and go about our dialy lifes. But According to Nielsen/Net Ratings data, as of March 2004, the United States broadband penetration of home connectivity was 45 percent, while at work penetration stood at 70 percent. Nearly three out of four U.S. households with a phone have access to the Internet, an overall penetration rate of 75 percent (Nielsen/Net Ratings, 2004). More recently, wireless Internet access has entered the mainstream of the United States and industrialized countries. As a result, broadband access to the Internet has increased and become more available to the general population.
Wireless networks have now become mainstream fueled by the avaiabilty of wireless enable laptops and PDA's. According to Gartner, an estimated 99 million people will be using Wi-Fi by 2006. The numbers are fast approaching a true mass-market level. Wi-Fi is cheap, powerful, and, most important, it works. Among the geeks, Wi-Fi has become a fascination, a glimpse of the future of the Internet. Like the Web, it is open, unregulated, and free. Anyone can deploy it, and millions have. For many it is an epiphany - the unforgettable impact of being in the presence of something important and new. Wi-Fi technology is not limited to the office environment alone. With the proper broadcast technology, it can become an extensive wide area network, permitting an enterprise to link its staff together through a virtual private network across a corporate campus or across the country.
Wireless networks have now become mainstream fueled by the avaiabilty of wireless enable laptops and PDA's. According to Gartner, an estimated 99 million people will be using Wi-Fi by 2006. The numbers are fast approaching a true mass-market level. Wi-Fi is cheap, powerful, and, most important, it works. Among the geeks, Wi-Fi has become a fascination, a glimpse of the future of the Internet. Like the Web, it is open, unregulated, and free. Anyone can deploy it, and millions have. For many it is an epiphany - the unforgettable impact of being in the presence of something important and new. Wi-Fi technology is not limited to the office environment alone. With the proper broadcast technology, it can become an extensive wide area network, permitting an enterprise to link its staff together through a virtual private network across a corporate campus or across the country.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Wireless Public Safety Infrastructure
Wireless connectivity has emerged as a vital public infrastructure just as important as the leased landline networks, roads, bridges, water systems. During the industrial age we saw trains, planes and automobiles change the way we work and live. Today during the information age many new technologies have changed the way we live as well and how public safety personnel respond to, and react to security concerns, threats, and incidents as they happen. As cities across the country explore building city wide WiFi or Wireless Broadband Networks to blanket their particular areas, many are watching how these initial deployments. According the MuniWireless.com there are over 300 cities and towns across the US who either have Muni Wireless RFP’s on the street or in the process of deploying systems.
Smart Valley is probably the largest government led Muni WiFi effort underway to date. Collectively Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network (JVSVN) and the San Mateo County Telecom Authority (SAMCAT) seeks to build a 1500 sq mile high speed wireless data network that would cover the entire Silicon Valley. If there is a place that could honestly do this I believe Silicon Valley would be the place that could. Digital Communities (www.govtech.net) did a survey of State and Local governments and found that 61 percent of the respondents believed that public safety is the area where wireless technology is most likely to deliver the greatest value.
Nationally first responders increasingly use wireless to enhance safety and increase productivity. The benefits of having wireless access in the field are obvious. The major obstacle and challenge is finding the funding to purchase the needed equipment to build out the wireless system. Over the past year it has matured a little, but for the most part the Muni WiFi space is still in its infancy.
Basically there are several ways a city can successfully deploy a wireless broadband system. One way is to have a WISP/ISP build own or operate the network and try to generate revenue, but this has a very challenging ROI business model. Cities can partner with a WISP/ISP and share the revenue/costs, which is much more attractive to the municipalities, and according the EarthLink is their preferred way of doing business with their new Municipal Networks Business. Another way is for the local governments build their own private network. Most of the Muni Wireless systems are deployed for public net access for citizens. I believe that a separate infrastructure should be deployed for mission critical public safety personnel who do not share the same network with the general public.
Smart Valley is probably the largest government led Muni WiFi effort underway to date. Collectively Joint Venture Silicon Valley Network (JVSVN) and the San Mateo County Telecom Authority (SAMCAT) seeks to build a 1500 sq mile high speed wireless data network that would cover the entire Silicon Valley. If there is a place that could honestly do this I believe Silicon Valley would be the place that could. Digital Communities (www.govtech.net) did a survey of State and Local governments and found that 61 percent of the respondents believed that public safety is the area where wireless technology is most likely to deliver the greatest value.
Nationally first responders increasingly use wireless to enhance safety and increase productivity. The benefits of having wireless access in the field are obvious. The major obstacle and challenge is finding the funding to purchase the needed equipment to build out the wireless system. Over the past year it has matured a little, but for the most part the Muni WiFi space is still in its infancy.
Basically there are several ways a city can successfully deploy a wireless broadband system. One way is to have a WISP/ISP build own or operate the network and try to generate revenue, but this has a very challenging ROI business model. Cities can partner with a WISP/ISP and share the revenue/costs, which is much more attractive to the municipalities, and according the EarthLink is their preferred way of doing business with their new Municipal Networks Business. Another way is for the local governments build their own private network. Most of the Muni Wireless systems are deployed for public net access for citizens. I believe that a separate infrastructure should be deployed for mission critical public safety personnel who do not share the same network with the general public.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Using Advertising to Fund Free Muni WiFi
I gave a presentation this morning at the Lafayette TechSouth Conference and had the opportunity to listen to several other presentations from Tropos, EarthLink, and Cisco. We all know that every city on the US has looked at deploying city wide WiFi systems to provide wireless broadband internet access across the city. The business model is very hard to get ISP's to privately fund these type of networks. The network that Google is building in Mountainview CA will use advertising sponsorship to fund the ongoing operating cost as well as the initial infrastructure cost to deploying a Muni WiFi system is really a very old concept. Long before cable TV networks the main ABC, CBS, and NBC networks relied on advertising to generate revenue to fund ongoing operations so why not have a free and open WiFi network that provides advertising.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Divitas Networks answer to VoWiFi
Start-up touts answers for VoWi-Fi
Multifunction appliance and dual-mode handset software ties together WLAN and cellular. By Phil Hochmuth, Network World, 04/17/06
Start-up Divitas Networks is expected to debut this week with technology for tying together corporate wireless LANs, cellular networks and Wi-Fi hot spots as one mobile voice and data network.
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Multifunction appliance and dual-mode handset software ties together WLAN and cellular. By Phil Hochmuth, Network World, 04/17/06
Start-up Divitas Networks is expected to debut this week with technology for tying together corporate wireless LANs, cellular networks and Wi-Fi hot spots as one mobile voice and data network.
Read complete story
Monday, April 10, 2006
Free Google Wi-Fi Privacy Concerns
Privacy advocates are raising concerns about Google Inc.'s plans to cover San Francisco with free wireless Internet access, calling the company's proposal to track users' locations a potential gold mine of information for law enforcement and private litigators.
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"To use the Google service, you'd have to log into your Google account. Voila! That would mean Google knows who and where you are, since the wi-fi access point you tap into will have a known geographic location. Of course, you use the paid version from Earthlink, you give them a credit card, log into your Earthlink account. Voila! Exactly the same issue." Danny Sullivan on Apr. 10, 2006
Read comments from Danny Sullivan on Apr. 10, 2006
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"To use the Google service, you'd have to log into your Google account. Voila! That would mean Google knows who and where you are, since the wi-fi access point you tap into will have a known geographic location. Of course, you use the paid version from Earthlink, you give them a credit card, log into your Earthlink account. Voila! Exactly the same issue." Danny Sullivan on Apr. 10, 2006
Read comments from Danny Sullivan on Apr. 10, 2006
Thursday, April 06, 2006
802.11w to increase wireless security
IEEE 802.11i, the standard behind Wi-Fi Protected Access and WPA 2, patched the holes in the original Wired Equivalent Privacy specification by introducing new cryptographic algorithms to protect data traveling across a wireless network. Now, the 802.11w task group is looking at extending the protection beyond data to management frames, which perform the core operations of a network.
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Brookline, Mass. to deploy 4.9, 2.4, & 5.8 Wireless Network
The multi-spectrum (2.4, 5.8 and 4.9 GHz), multi-radio, mesh network will enable public safety, government and commercial applications on a single infrastructure. This is the first mixed-use network using an integrated public safety access channel (4.9GHz) to be deployed in the Boston metropolitan area and in the State of Massachusetts.
Download complete Story From Yahoo.com
Download complete Story From Yahoo.com
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Houston Issues City Wide WiFi RFP
Houston, Texas has issued an RFP for a citywide wireless broadband network. The deadline for responses is 16 May 2006. To view the RFP documents, click here. The city is looking for a vendor who will build and run the network.
Download complete RFP
Download complete RFP
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Friday, March 03, 2006
Bush Jammed all Frequencies during his visit to India
Police jittery over jammed airwaves
Mayank Tewari, Kanu Sarda
New Delhi, March 1, 2006
Apart from Airforce One, 800 secret service agents and fighter jets, President Bush’s armada of protection comes with a highly secret communication suite, installed at Hotel Maurya Sheraton.
The hi-tech jammers even forced Delhi Police to switch to a different frequency. On Wednesday, the policemen found their cell phones jammed.
Even the hotel’s Internet system was affected.
The suite enables hawk-eyed secret service agents to virtually scan and control the airwaves in a 15-km radius of the hotel. All radio-frequency devices, even wi-fi laptops and mobile calls, will be monitored in that area.
“There is a lot of secrecy about the whole set-up,” said a senior Delhi police officer. Even hotel staff have little idea where it has been installed.
This surveillance will be over and above the jammers to block signals in the air. Sources have said that the jammers will operate in a 1-km radius.
However, such security has become a cause of worry for the Delhi Police.
“The jammers blocked our own wireless network on Tuesday during the rehearsal at Purana Quila. We had to switch to another frequency,” a police officer said.
Apparently, the US security agencies did not inform their Indian counterparts about the frequency that will be used. However, officials said things have been sorted out.
The jammers may are likely to make television remotes and even mobile phones useless in a 3-km radius. Residents of nearby localities, like Kaka Nagar and Bapa Nagar, will be affected.
Read complete story
Mayank Tewari, Kanu Sarda
New Delhi, March 1, 2006
Apart from Airforce One, 800 secret service agents and fighter jets, President Bush’s armada of protection comes with a highly secret communication suite, installed at Hotel Maurya Sheraton.
The hi-tech jammers even forced Delhi Police to switch to a different frequency. On Wednesday, the policemen found their cell phones jammed.
Even the hotel’s Internet system was affected.
The suite enables hawk-eyed secret service agents to virtually scan and control the airwaves in a 15-km radius of the hotel. All radio-frequency devices, even wi-fi laptops and mobile calls, will be monitored in that area.
“There is a lot of secrecy about the whole set-up,” said a senior Delhi police officer. Even hotel staff have little idea where it has been installed.
This surveillance will be over and above the jammers to block signals in the air. Sources have said that the jammers will operate in a 1-km radius.
However, such security has become a cause of worry for the Delhi Police.
“The jammers blocked our own wireless network on Tuesday during the rehearsal at Purana Quila. We had to switch to another frequency,” a police officer said.
Apparently, the US security agencies did not inform their Indian counterparts about the frequency that will be used. However, officials said things have been sorted out.
The jammers may are likely to make television remotes and even mobile phones useless in a 3-km radius. Residents of nearby localities, like Kaka Nagar and Bapa Nagar, will be affected.
Read complete story
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Wi-Fi mesh completed in Tempe
A basic data package at $29 per month promises up to 384Kbps upstream and up to 1Mbps downstream. Some subscribers will be able to connect directly to the nearest access point from say a laptop or Wi-Fi phone. Some number will have to install a wireless bridge, roughly comparable to a DSL or cable modem, as an intermediary connection.
Read complete story
Read complete story
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Cambridge MIT Municipal Mesh Network
The residents of Cambridge, MA, may soon be able to log onto the Internet from any bus stop or city park. The city is working with MIT to go wireless, with a special focus on giving low-income residents access to the Internet.
The project is based on an experimental system called Roofnet, an unplanned, multiroute mesh network developed at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. A mesh network is a series of radio transmitters and receivers randomly dispersed over an area. To get data from one part of the mesh to another, the network must figure out the best route between them, which can change depending on network traffic, data rates, and even the weather.
Roofnet has been operating for about three years across an area of roughly four square kilometers near MIT, using a few dozen transmitting/receiving nodes and one wired Internet connection through MIT. The nodes have been located in the homes and offices of volunteers, most of them MIT students and staff.
Read complete story
The project is based on an experimental system called Roofnet, an unplanned, multiroute mesh network developed at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. A mesh network is a series of radio transmitters and receivers randomly dispersed over an area. To get data from one part of the mesh to another, the network must figure out the best route between them, which can change depending on network traffic, data rates, and even the weather.
Roofnet has been operating for about three years across an area of roughly four square kilometers near MIT, using a few dozen transmitting/receiving nodes and one wired Internet connection through MIT. The nodes have been located in the homes and offices of volunteers, most of them MIT students and staff.
Read complete story
AirMagnet Wireless Security, Performance Monitoring
"As wireless LANs continue to progress towards ubiquity in enterprise and public-access settings, tools like AirMagnet Enterprise become essential," said Craig Mathias, a Principal with the wireless and mobile advisory firm Farpoint Group in Ashland, Mass. "AirMagnet is to be congratulated on integrating all of the functions required to maintain peak operational capability in large-scale deployments. I'm especially fond of their combining detailed Wi-Fi information and control with spectral analysis, a must as wireless becomes the LAN of choice for so many users and applications."
Read complete story
Read complete story
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
What is IPTV?
IPTV or Internet Protocol Television delivers digital television service to subscribers via the Internet Protocol over a broadband connection. IPTV was introduced in 1995, is gaining favor for Video on Demand, and is most recently in telco news promoted by Microsoft as the future of streaming media. IPTV services are often offered in conjunction with Video on Demand (VoD) services as well as Internet data services like Web access and Internet Telephony, or VoIP. The “Triple Play over broadband” packages VoIP phone, IPTV and internet data in one solution and is typically supplied by a broadband operator using the same infrastructure
The crux of the IPTV service is its interactivity. Therefore, unlike most legacy cable television architectures, IPTV services necessitate a two-way stream of communication between service provider/system hub and the end user. Broadband access is the delivery method that enables this streaming media interactivity. Broadband technology uses DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) over the local loop. Bell Labs arguably made IPTV possible with the invention of DSL technology in 1988. An engineer at BL discovered a way to send digital data utilizing then-unused spectrum. The local loop combined with DSL forms a star network design, as opposed to legacy cable's ring network topology.
The hub of the IPTV star is called a “Head End,” which uses DSLAM technology -- Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer. IPTV's network structure allows two-way communication, point-to-point distribution. Result? The end user chooses his or her own broadcast, a true video-on-demand service. The p2p function also lets the viewer pause, rewind and replay the broadcast similar to video data on the Internet. The term "IP/TV" is an active registered United States trademark that was first owned by Precept Software, but now owned by Cisco. The IP/TV product is an audio/video system, including both servers and viewers, based on the RTP/RTCP and SDP protocols. IPTV often uses IP multicast as well. IPTV trends are expected to grow at a stunning pace over the next five years as broadband adoption grows and DSL service expands. Consumers can expect IPTV news to cover, in addition to video-on-demand movies currently offered, streaming media technology like video games on demand, TV education, interactive news with information on demand, catalogue shopping and interactive advertising.
IPTV is critical for telcos as a way to compete with cable companies, which have already penetrated the telcos' market by offering VoIP services along with their television and Internet data services.
The crux of the IPTV service is its interactivity. Therefore, unlike most legacy cable television architectures, IPTV services necessitate a two-way stream of communication between service provider/system hub and the end user. Broadband access is the delivery method that enables this streaming media interactivity. Broadband technology uses DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) over the local loop. Bell Labs arguably made IPTV possible with the invention of DSL technology in 1988. An engineer at BL discovered a way to send digital data utilizing then-unused spectrum. The local loop combined with DSL forms a star network design, as opposed to legacy cable's ring network topology.
The hub of the IPTV star is called a “Head End,” which uses DSLAM technology -- Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer. IPTV's network structure allows two-way communication, point-to-point distribution. Result? The end user chooses his or her own broadcast, a true video-on-demand service. The p2p function also lets the viewer pause, rewind and replay the broadcast similar to video data on the Internet. The term "IP/TV" is an active registered United States trademark that was first owned by Precept Software, but now owned by Cisco. The IP/TV product is an audio/video system, including both servers and viewers, based on the RTP/RTCP and SDP protocols. IPTV often uses IP multicast as well. IPTV trends are expected to grow at a stunning pace over the next five years as broadband adoption grows and DSL service expands. Consumers can expect IPTV news to cover, in addition to video-on-demand movies currently offered, streaming media technology like video games on demand, TV education, interactive news with information on demand, catalogue shopping and interactive advertising.
IPTV is critical for telcos as a way to compete with cable companies, which have already penetrated the telcos' market by offering VoIP services along with their television and Internet data services.
Internet TV coming to your living room
"It's going to change the whole paradigm of advertising by opening up new ways to do it. Everything you do from changing the channel to preview, it's recorded by the service carrier so they can send back commercials that pique your interest," Dolan said. "Satellite TV's struggle hasn't posed a serious threat to cable, but I think IPTV will." The idea of IPTV is to give consumers access to TV shows broadcast around the world, or a video archive of old TV shows, sporting events and movies.
Read complete story
Read complete story
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Wireless Mesh Test Gets Underway
In the first comprehensive test of wireless mesh networking gear, sponsored by Light Reading and carried out by testing firm Iometrix Inc. , three of the leading companies in the municipal mesh networking industry are having their gear put through the paces at a specially constructed test bed in South San Francisco. Too bad the biggest players, Motorola MotoMESH, Tropos and Cisco who are the biggest players in the Mesh Networking space are not tested.
Read story from Unstrung.com
Read story from Unstrung.com
CTIA on Muni Broadband
The wireless industry association CTIA is not opposed to competition from city-sponsored, unlicensed wireless ventures, top officials of the group said. The CTIA position illustrates a shift in the unpredictable alliances in the field of municipal broadband.
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read complete story
Nokia, Motorola show cellular-VoIP phones
Nokia and Motorola, the world's biggest branded handset makers, both unveiled phones at a tradeshow here this week that switch between cellular coverage outdoors and cheap wireless Internet calling inside — all on a single phone number.
read complete story from USA Today
read complete story from USA Today
U.S. now allows full-5GHz Wi-Fi networking
By Joanie Wexler
Last month, the FCC officially opened up the use of the middle band of the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) spectrum (5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz) to 54Mbps 802.11a Wi-Fi networks in the United States. The band adds another 255 MHz and 11 channels to the existing 325 MHz and 13 channels available for Wi-Fi in this band.
As of January 20, any products that apply for certification in the 5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz band or in the lower end of the UNII band at 5.25 GHz to 5.35 GHz, were required to support dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC) to minimize interference, per a February 2005 FCC order.
If you've already got equipment running in the lower band installed, don't worry - you're grandfathered.
DFS and TPC are part of 802.11h, the European "flavor" of 802.11a. DFS dynamically instructs a transmitter to switch to another channel under particular conditions, such as the presence of a radar signal.
Setting the transmit power of the access point and the client adapter can allow for different coverage area sizes and for the client to conserve battery life. For example, it helps to reduce transmit power in areas with high user density to avoid interference. It can also help with security by keeping transmit ranges confined so there is less chance of signals spilling out into the street or to neighboring offices.
Both the 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz spectrum ranges are likely to be component of future 802.11n networks. While the 5-GHz range has its issues with inconsistent global regulation (see Monday's newsletter), the 2.4-GHz band supporting 802.11g and 802.11b faces its own hurdles. I'll discuss those next time.
February 2005 FCC order
Last month, the FCC officially opened up the use of the middle band of the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) spectrum (5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz) to 54Mbps 802.11a Wi-Fi networks in the United States. The band adds another 255 MHz and 11 channels to the existing 325 MHz and 13 channels available for Wi-Fi in this band.
As of January 20, any products that apply for certification in the 5.470 GHz to 5.725 GHz band or in the lower end of the UNII band at 5.25 GHz to 5.35 GHz, were required to support dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC) to minimize interference, per a February 2005 FCC order.
If you've already got equipment running in the lower band installed, don't worry - you're grandfathered.
DFS and TPC are part of 802.11h, the European "flavor" of 802.11a. DFS dynamically instructs a transmitter to switch to another channel under particular conditions, such as the presence of a radar signal.
Setting the transmit power of the access point and the client adapter can allow for different coverage area sizes and for the client to conserve battery life. For example, it helps to reduce transmit power in areas with high user density to avoid interference. It can also help with security by keeping transmit ranges confined so there is less chance of signals spilling out into the street or to neighboring offices.
Both the 5-GHz and 2.4-GHz spectrum ranges are likely to be component of future 802.11n networks. While the 5-GHz range has its issues with inconsistent global regulation (see Monday's newsletter), the 2.4-GHz band supporting 802.11g and 802.11b faces its own hurdles. I'll discuss those next time.
February 2005 FCC order
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
MOTOwi4(TM) WiMAX portfolio
Key access networks in the MOTOwi4 portfolio include WiMAX, Canopy, backhaul, and Mesh Solutions. MOTOwi4 Canopy is a proven broadband wireless access solution that has been cost-effectively deployed in more than 100 countries -- including a country wide deployment in Macedonia -- and by more than 2,000 service providers since 2002 using 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. In the Macedonia deployment, an initial installation of more than 130 Canopy access points at various schools now also serves consumers and businesses in 36 cities and 170 villages. Altogether, that Canopy network has connected 360 primary and 100 secondary schools as well as 24 secondary school dormitories, 15 university facilities, another 15 local government offices, and more than 1,000 businesses, bringing high-speed wireless connectivity to rural and urban areas at price points that would not otherwise have been attainable.
Canopy technology, designed for unlicensed or managed spectrum, also enables WiMAX services supporting VoIP and IP data applications at price points that can meet customers' business case requirements.
The MOTOwi4(TM) WiMAX portfolio will include 802.16e products designed to meet WiMAX Forum(TM) certification based upon specific profiles to be developed by that industry forum. Operating in licensed spectrum and standards-based following IEEE 802.16 Rev e, Motorola's MOTOwi4 WiMAX products are designed to permit carriers to adopt the full scope of available fixed, nomadic, portable, and mobile applications. The initial product, the MOTOwi4 UltraLight Access Point designed for 3.5GHz and a fixed application, will be 802.16e compliant. It is expected to be available for customer trials by the end of Q2 2006.
Read the full story
Canopy technology, designed for unlicensed or managed spectrum, also enables WiMAX services supporting VoIP and IP data applications at price points that can meet customers' business case requirements.
The MOTOwi4(TM) WiMAX portfolio will include 802.16e products designed to meet WiMAX Forum(TM) certification based upon specific profiles to be developed by that industry forum. Operating in licensed spectrum and standards-based following IEEE 802.16 Rev e, Motorola's MOTOwi4 WiMAX products are designed to permit carriers to adopt the full scope of available fixed, nomadic, portable, and mobile applications. The initial product, the MOTOwi4 UltraLight Access Point designed for 3.5GHz and a fixed application, will be 802.16e compliant. It is expected to be available for customer trials by the end of Q2 2006.
Read the full story
Monday, February 13, 2006
IP Telephony in Fighter Jet
IP Telephony Takes Flight with U.S. Fighter Jet
February 9, 2006
IP Telephony has taken to the skies, linking an F-15E fighter jet in flight with a remote government command center in California and a three-star general at the Pentagon via a multi-party, IP conference call.
The test was successfully conducted at the Naval Air Weapons Center in China Lake, Calif., for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense. During the test, Avaya demonstrated a multiparty IP conference call connecting the aircraft's weapon systems officer with two parties at the China Lake Integrated Battlespace Arena Command Center and with Lt. Gen. William T. Hobbins at his desk in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
"The call lasted for more than 20 minutes, and the audio quality was excellent," said Ryan Greene, a Boeing engineer who worked on the test with Avaya and participated in the call.
In addition to the multiparty conference call, successful tests were completed using Avaya's IP telephony network to call an in-flight, E-2C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft equipped with an Avaya IP Softphone.
"Being able to call a tactical aircraft from anywhere in the world and vice versa is a critical combat capability unprecedented with legacy communications," said Lt. Col. Stephen Waller, USAF, DARPA program manager for the Tactical Targeting Network Technology program.
Communication has previously been limited to two-party calls using 'push to talk' radios, with critical information relayed from one party to the next. With IP telephony, all those involved can speak naturally and communicate dynamically, in real time — from the Air Operations Center to targeting and safety crews, with simultaneous transmission of actual local ground and/or aircraft data. The end result is quicker and better decision making and improved safety for U.S. pilots on the front lines.
Both tests used Avaya's Communication Manager IP telephony software hosted on an Avaya Media Server. Avaya Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Enablement Services were used to ensure connectivity with standards-based endpoints for telephony, instant messaging, conferencing and collaboration. The multiparty conference call involved both an Avaya IP phone and an Avaya SIP IP telephone at China Lake and a traditional desk set at the Pentagon. A third-party SIP softphone running on a Windows-based auxiliary computer was used in the F-15E cockpit, connecting the pilot to the conference via a secure wireless link.
The wireless connectivity for Avaya's IP telephony network was provided by a Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) demonstrated during the tests. TTNT is an IP-based technology that connects tactical aircraft and ground operations to enable real-time communications. The F-15E was provided for the test by Boeing, while the E-2C Hawkeye was provided by the U.S. Navy.
The DARPA tests are part of the preparations for the upcoming 2006 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) administered by the U.S. Air Force. As a next step, Avaya has collaborated with Boeing to develop specialized IP telephony software for the F/A-18 aircraft that will be part of the 2006 JEFX. In addition, Avaya Labs has developed a SIP toolkit that is allowing Boeing to integrate a SIP softphone into the F/A-18 aircraft, which will allow the pilot or weapon systems officer to communicate via a secure wireless link.
Avaya was first selected by the Air Force in an initiative for the biennial JEFX in 2004. Features of Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software designed to specifically support the government's mission include:
* Avaya Multiple Level Precedence and Preemption capabilities that allow
officials to override nonessential calls during times of emergency
* "Blast dialing" capabilities that can quickly establish preset
conference calls among critical contacts.
In addition, Avaya IP telephony solutions were the first in the market to be certified by the government's Joint Interoperability Test Command for use in critical military command and control missions worldwide.
Read the full story
February 9, 2006
IP Telephony has taken to the skies, linking an F-15E fighter jet in flight with a remote government command center in California and a three-star general at the Pentagon via a multi-party, IP conference call.
The test was successfully conducted at the Naval Air Weapons Center in China Lake, Calif., for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense. During the test, Avaya demonstrated a multiparty IP conference call connecting the aircraft's weapon systems officer with two parties at the China Lake Integrated Battlespace Arena Command Center and with Lt. Gen. William T. Hobbins at his desk in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
"The call lasted for more than 20 minutes, and the audio quality was excellent," said Ryan Greene, a Boeing engineer who worked on the test with Avaya and participated in the call.
In addition to the multiparty conference call, successful tests were completed using Avaya's IP telephony network to call an in-flight, E-2C Hawkeye surveillance aircraft equipped with an Avaya IP Softphone.
"Being able to call a tactical aircraft from anywhere in the world and vice versa is a critical combat capability unprecedented with legacy communications," said Lt. Col. Stephen Waller, USAF, DARPA program manager for the Tactical Targeting Network Technology program.
Communication has previously been limited to two-party calls using 'push to talk' radios, with critical information relayed from one party to the next. With IP telephony, all those involved can speak naturally and communicate dynamically, in real time — from the Air Operations Center to targeting and safety crews, with simultaneous transmission of actual local ground and/or aircraft data. The end result is quicker and better decision making and improved safety for U.S. pilots on the front lines.
Both tests used Avaya's Communication Manager IP telephony software hosted on an Avaya Media Server. Avaya Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Enablement Services were used to ensure connectivity with standards-based endpoints for telephony, instant messaging, conferencing and collaboration. The multiparty conference call involved both an Avaya IP phone and an Avaya SIP IP telephone at China Lake and a traditional desk set at the Pentagon. A third-party SIP softphone running on a Windows-based auxiliary computer was used in the F-15E cockpit, connecting the pilot to the conference via a secure wireless link.
The wireless connectivity for Avaya's IP telephony network was provided by a Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) demonstrated during the tests. TTNT is an IP-based technology that connects tactical aircraft and ground operations to enable real-time communications. The F-15E was provided for the test by Boeing, while the E-2C Hawkeye was provided by the U.S. Navy.
The DARPA tests are part of the preparations for the upcoming 2006 Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) administered by the U.S. Air Force. As a next step, Avaya has collaborated with Boeing to develop specialized IP telephony software for the F/A-18 aircraft that will be part of the 2006 JEFX. In addition, Avaya Labs has developed a SIP toolkit that is allowing Boeing to integrate a SIP softphone into the F/A-18 aircraft, which will allow the pilot or weapon systems officer to communicate via a secure wireless link.
Avaya was first selected by the Air Force in an initiative for the biennial JEFX in 2004. Features of Avaya Communication Manager IP telephony software designed to specifically support the government's mission include:
* Avaya Multiple Level Precedence and Preemption capabilities that allow
officials to override nonessential calls during times of emergency
* "Blast dialing" capabilities that can quickly establish preset
conference calls among critical contacts.
In addition, Avaya IP telephony solutions were the first in the market to be certified by the government's Joint Interoperability Test Command for use in critical military command and control missions worldwide.
Read the full story
Google and Skype to link hotspots, charge for access
Google and Skype invest in startup to link hotspots, charge for access
Google Inc. and eBay Inc.'s Skype are investing in a startup that plans to help hotspot owners charge for Wi-Fi access, a plan that could face significant opposition from Internet service providers.
The Internet heavyweights were joined by venture capital firms Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital in making a $22 million (?18.24 million) investment in FON, the Spanish startup. In its announcement Sunday, FON did not say how much each investor was contributing.
Read the full story
Google Inc. and eBay Inc.'s Skype are investing in a startup that plans to help hotspot owners charge for Wi-Fi access, a plan that could face significant opposition from Internet service providers.
The Internet heavyweights were joined by venture capital firms Index Ventures and Sequoia Capital in making a $22 million (?18.24 million) investment in FON, the Spanish startup. In its announcement Sunday, FON did not say how much each investor was contributing.
Read the full story
Friday, February 10, 2006
Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection service
Nintendo's Wi-Fi connection service has revolutionised handheld gaming byallowing anyone to play against friends from across the globe, simply, safely and for free, either at home or on the go. There is no fee to pay and no difficult set-up procedures - gamers simply insert their Wi-Fi enabled game into their Nintendo DS, within a Nintendo Wi-Fi connection hotspot, and press connect. Nintendo DS owners can also enjoy Wi-Fi gaming from the comfort of their homes using their existing Wi-Fi broadband connection. People can play without fear of harassment from other players as they can choose to play only with their friends.
As part of its ongoing drive to provide free Wi-Fi access to Nintendo DS owners Nintendo has signed deals with major Wi-Fi providers across Europe giving users access to over 20,000 free Nintendo Wi-Fi access points.
Read the full story
As part of its ongoing drive to provide free Wi-Fi access to Nintendo DS owners Nintendo has signed deals with major Wi-Fi providers across Europe giving users access to over 20,000 free Nintendo Wi-Fi access points.
Read the full story
Europe’s Largest Wi-Fi Deployment
"We had to select a reliable mobile software platform able to support our highly demanding requirements. The system must run 365 days per year, 24 hours per day, and support 10,000 users scattered through out the country in over 50 stations," said Wim Liet, Head Business Applications, NS Reizigers Production Services.
Full Story
Full Story
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Lucent adds Cellular/Wi-Fi roaming
I really like this new software applicatins from PCTEL-Lucent. With this application a smartphone could switch between cellular and Wi-Fi nets while maintaining a voice call or data session, without the user being aware of the change. Seamless transition from Cellualr to WiVOIP.
Read the full story
Read the full story
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Tax on Wireless Technology
The 2007 budget plan from the Bush administration has proposed supporting legislation changes to allow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set 'user fees' on unlicensed radio spectrum in the US. This appears to be a good for licsened broadband in the 4.9 frequncy.
Though unclear on whether the fees would be paid by equipment vendors or end-users, the statement basically means a tax on equipment such as WLAN routers, cordless phones, and mobile phones with technology such as Bluetooth.
Read the full story
Though unclear on whether the fees would be paid by equipment vendors or end-users, the statement basically means a tax on equipment such as WLAN routers, cordless phones, and mobile phones with technology such as Bluetooth.
Read the full story
802.11n backward compatibility
By Joanie Wexler
It has been widely reported that 802.11n, the wireless LAN IEEE draft standard that uses multiple input/multiple output technology to boost Wi-Fi speeds to over 100Mbps, is "backward compatible" with today's 802.11a, 11b, and 11g networks. This can seem confusing, given that 802.11a, which runs in the 5-GHz frequency band, is not compatible with 802.11g and 11b, which operate in the 2.4-GHz band.
So how can 11n be backward compatible with all these networks, when they are not compatible with each other?
5-GHz networking support is currently an optional component to the 802.11n draft standard. As such, the MIMO scheme of 802.11n does not require simultaneous use of both the 5-GHz and the 2.4-GHz bands, according to Mark Hung, director of strategic marketing at Wi-Fi chipmaker Atheros. That's how a standard that potentially makes use of both bands can be backward-compatible with networks that use a single band only: Only one band is in use at a time.
For interoperability, 802.11n supports three modes, explains Hung:
* Legacy mode.
Addresses 11n APs and an 11a/g/b client environment. In this case, the client decodes the first three fields of a six-field header, which is specific to 11a and 11g. If the 5-GHz option isn't supported in the 11n AP, there will be no backward compatibility with 802.11a.
* Mixed mode.
Addresses 11n APs and a mixed 11n/a/g/b environment. As in legacy mode, 11a and 11g/b clients will read the first three fields of the AP's 11n header, while 802.11n will also parse the additional three "high throughput" fields of the full 11n header. Again, if the 5-GHz option isn't supported in the 11n AP, there will be no backward compatibility with 802.11a.
* Greenfield mode.
Addresses a pure network of 802.11n APs and clients, taking full advantage of the high-throughput capabilities of the 11n MIMO architecture.
What if you have some 802.11a/g APs, and some 802.11n clients creep into the picture?
Because MIMO technology leverages multiple pairs of antennas to boost speed, 11n clients mixed with 11a/g networks should experience a 30% to 50% improvement in either range or throughput, Hung says because of the client's "extra pair of ears."
In the wake of 802.11n being approved as an IEEE draft specification last month, both Atheros and competing chipmaker Broadcom have announced the availability of 802.11n chips that will be software-upgradeable to comply with the final specification. Both support the 5-GHz option, which much of the industry agrees is needed to deliver the 40-MHz of spectrum in adjacent spectrum required for 11n's promised speeds.
Contact the author:
Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future article topics. Reach her at joanie@jwexler.com.
My site needs updating
It has been widely reported that 802.11n, the wireless LAN IEEE draft standard that uses multiple input/multiple output technology to boost Wi-Fi speeds to over 100Mbps, is "backward compatible" with today's 802.11a, 11b, and 11g networks. This can seem confusing, given that 802.11a, which runs in the 5-GHz frequency band, is not compatible with 802.11g and 11b, which operate in the 2.4-GHz band.
So how can 11n be backward compatible with all these networks, when they are not compatible with each other?
5-GHz networking support is currently an optional component to the 802.11n draft standard. As such, the MIMO scheme of 802.11n does not require simultaneous use of both the 5-GHz and the 2.4-GHz bands, according to Mark Hung, director of strategic marketing at Wi-Fi chipmaker Atheros. That's how a standard that potentially makes use of both bands can be backward-compatible with networks that use a single band only: Only one band is in use at a time.
For interoperability, 802.11n supports three modes, explains Hung:
* Legacy mode.
Addresses 11n APs and an 11a/g/b client environment. In this case, the client decodes the first three fields of a six-field header, which is specific to 11a and 11g. If the 5-GHz option isn't supported in the 11n AP, there will be no backward compatibility with 802.11a.
* Mixed mode.
Addresses 11n APs and a mixed 11n/a/g/b environment. As in legacy mode, 11a and 11g/b clients will read the first three fields of the AP's 11n header, while 802.11n will also parse the additional three "high throughput" fields of the full 11n header. Again, if the 5-GHz option isn't supported in the 11n AP, there will be no backward compatibility with 802.11a.
* Greenfield mode.
Addresses a pure network of 802.11n APs and clients, taking full advantage of the high-throughput capabilities of the 11n MIMO architecture.
What if you have some 802.11a/g APs, and some 802.11n clients creep into the picture?
Because MIMO technology leverages multiple pairs of antennas to boost speed, 11n clients mixed with 11a/g networks should experience a 30% to 50% improvement in either range or throughput, Hung says because of the client's "extra pair of ears."
In the wake of 802.11n being approved as an IEEE draft specification last month, both Atheros and competing chipmaker Broadcom have announced the availability of 802.11n chips that will be software-upgradeable to comply with the final specification. Both support the 5-GHz option, which much of the industry agrees is needed to deliver the 40-MHz of spectrum in adjacent spectrum required for 11n's promised speeds.
Contact the author:
Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in California's Silicon Valley who has spent most of her career analyzing trends and news in the computer networking industry. She welcomes your comments on the articles published in this newsletter, as well as your ideas for future article topics. Reach her at joanie@jwexler.com.
My site needs updating
Friday, February 03, 2006
Public Access Muni WiFi vs Public Safety Muni Mesh Networks
Every day more and more news comes out about cities and towns looking build city wide WiFi networks. The growth of WiFi has created wireless internet connectivity options in many places. It has made it convenient to check email and browse the web. Companies like Tropos have deployed WiFi Mesh networks across the US that are used for Public Access but can also give public safety police and fire personnel to a high speed mobile data network. In the past public safety has relied on slower mobile data systems that have prevented more bandwidth intense applications from being used.
I do not agree it is a good thing to have public safety using the same wireless infrastructure as the general public use for WiFi access. Even you can agrue that a secure VPN tunnel across this open WiFi connection can be created, you are still using a unlicensed 2.4 spectrum and are sharing network resources with the general public. In my opinion deploying a private infrastructure 4.9 WiFi network using a licensed spectrum is the best choice.
I do not agree it is a good thing to have public safety using the same wireless infrastructure as the general public use for WiFi access. Even you can agrue that a secure VPN tunnel across this open WiFi connection can be created, you are still using a unlicensed 2.4 spectrum and are sharing network resources with the general public. In my opinion deploying a private infrastructure 4.9 WiFi network using a licensed spectrum is the best choice.
Intelsat inks contract with Qualcomm for mobile TV
"Under the Qualcomm deal, expected to be formally announced on Monday, Intelsat will use its satellites to beam video programing to cell phone broadcast towers that Qualcomm's MediaFlo unit is building to send live TV to phones."
I don't have time to watch TV, so now I can watch on my cell phone. Still need a high speed data network stream content.
Read the full story
I don't have time to watch TV, so now I can watch on my cell phone. Still need a high speed data network stream content.
Read the full story
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Dell Integrates 3G Mobile Connectivity
Round Rock, Texas, January 24, 2006
Dell today announced it will bring Vodafone's third-generation (3G) wireless broadband technology to Dell's notebook customers in the UK, France and Germany. With its build-to-order capability, Dell aims to expand customers' wireless connectivity options by delivering built-in access to Vodafone's high-speed wireless data network in these countries. This new service will mean users will have readily available access to e-mail, Internet and servers through the Vodafone mobile broadband data network.
Beginning in the first half of this year, Dell will offer notebook computers with optional integrated High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) wireless broadband capability, which will boost current 3G download speeds by approximately four times.
Read the full story
Dell today announced it will bring Vodafone's third-generation (3G) wireless broadband technology to Dell's notebook customers in the UK, France and Germany. With its build-to-order capability, Dell aims to expand customers' wireless connectivity options by delivering built-in access to Vodafone's high-speed wireless data network in these countries. This new service will mean users will have readily available access to e-mail, Internet and servers through the Vodafone mobile broadband data network.
Beginning in the first half of this year, Dell will offer notebook computers with optional integrated High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) wireless broadband capability, which will boost current 3G download speeds by approximately four times.
Read the full story
Monday, January 30, 2006
Philly & Earthlink finalize contract
Earthlink Inc. has finalized a 10-year contract to provide citywide high-speed wireless Internet service, and deployment should start as early as spring 2007, a city official said Monday.
Dianah Neff, Philadelphia's chief information officer and head of Wireless Philadelphia, said the contract will go before the City Council for approval in February.
Earthlink will own the network and charge a wholesale rate of $9 a month to Internet service providers that would then resell the services to the public, she said.
Neff said the contract doesn't specify the monthly rate that would be charged to consumers, but she said the wholesale price is low enough to enable ISPs to offer low-cost services. City officials had been trying to keep the monthly price to $20 or less.
Construction should start right after the contract is signed. Earthlink will build the network initially over a 15-square-mile area in Northeast Philadelphia to prove the system will work, Neff said. If successful, citywide access could be turned on by spring 2007, she said.
Under the terms of the agreement, which can be renewed, Earthlink will carry the cost to build the Wi-Fi network to cover 135 square miles.
Earthlink also will pay the city and Wireless Philadelphia, the nonprofit handling the project, a fee to mount wireless Internet equipment onto city infrastructure, such as lamp posts.
Neff said talks are ongoing with six ISPs interested in reselling the service.
Philadelphia was the first large city to announce plans to build a wireless Internet network and provide low-cost rates to residents as a way to span the digital divide
Read the full story
Dianah Neff, Philadelphia's chief information officer and head of Wireless Philadelphia, said the contract will go before the City Council for approval in February.
Earthlink will own the network and charge a wholesale rate of $9 a month to Internet service providers that would then resell the services to the public, she said.
Neff said the contract doesn't specify the monthly rate that would be charged to consumers, but she said the wholesale price is low enough to enable ISPs to offer low-cost services. City officials had been trying to keep the monthly price to $20 or less.
Construction should start right after the contract is signed. Earthlink will build the network initially over a 15-square-mile area in Northeast Philadelphia to prove the system will work, Neff said. If successful, citywide access could be turned on by spring 2007, she said.
Under the terms of the agreement, which can be renewed, Earthlink will carry the cost to build the Wi-Fi network to cover 135 square miles.
Earthlink also will pay the city and Wireless Philadelphia, the nonprofit handling the project, a fee to mount wireless Internet equipment onto city infrastructure, such as lamp posts.
Neff said talks are ongoing with six ISPs interested in reselling the service.
Philadelphia was the first large city to announce plans to build a wireless Internet network and provide low-cost rates to residents as a way to span the digital divide
Read the full story
Grand Rapids Wireless Broadband RFP
Pre-Proposal Conference
The Pre-Proposal Conference* will be held at the following location on February 16th at 10 am EST:
Grand Rapids City Hall
9th Floor -City Commission Chambers
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Proposers may attend in person or join by conference call. Conference call information: Telephone Number: (641)297-4600 Access Code: 995924#
*The meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Proposers are expected to attend the entire meeting. Proposers may submit questions in advance of the meeting. Proposers should confirm participation by Feb. 14th at 5pm EST.
Milestone/Activity Date/Time
RFP Released 1/27/06
Vendors Confirm Pre-Proposal Conference Participation 2/14/06
Pre-Proposal Conference
(Not Mandatory, But Strongly Encouraged) 2/16/06 10 am EST
Questions from Proposers Due 2/23/06
Response to Questions and Issuance of Any Addenda 3/03/06
Letter of Intent to Bid (Required)3/15/06
RFP Response Due 4/04/06
Finalists Selected 5/08/06
Interviews with Finalists Week of 5/22/06
Agreement Award 6/15/06
Project Kickoff 9/12/06
Download the RFP
The Pre-Proposal Conference* will be held at the following location on February 16th at 10 am EST:
Grand Rapids City Hall
9th Floor -City Commission Chambers
300 Monroe Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Proposers may attend in person or join by conference call. Conference call information: Telephone Number: (641)297-4600 Access Code: 995924#
*The meeting is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Proposers are expected to attend the entire meeting. Proposers may submit questions in advance of the meeting. Proposers should confirm participation by Feb. 14th at 5pm EST.
Milestone/Activity Date/Time
RFP Released 1/27/06
Vendors Confirm Pre-Proposal Conference Participation 2/14/06
Pre-Proposal Conference
(Not Mandatory, But Strongly Encouraged) 2/16/06 10 am EST
Questions from Proposers Due 2/23/06
Response to Questions and Issuance of Any Addenda 3/03/06
Letter of Intent to Bid (Required)3/15/06
RFP Response Due 4/04/06
Finalists Selected 5/08/06
Interviews with Finalists Week of 5/22/06
Agreement Award 6/15/06
Project Kickoff 9/12/06
Download the RFP
WiMAX - Dramatic Growth Expected - Fixed Wireless
"The promise of WiMAX is low-cost, ubiquitous Fixed Wireless Networks to match the ever-present Wi-Fi networks and hotspots that are becoming as common as air conditioning. You're just starting to expect to have wireless access available. WiMAX extends this premise from the local area to the city wide area,"
I agree with the comments above. WiFi has organically grown over the last 5 years but still can not be considered now where near ubiquitous coverage. WiMAX will become a good supplement to WiFi by providing a good point to point/Multi point option to expand wireless broadband coverage.
Full Story
I agree with the comments above. WiFi has organically grown over the last 5 years but still can not be considered now where near ubiquitous coverage. WiMAX will become a good supplement to WiFi by providing a good point to point/Multi point option to expand wireless broadband coverage.
Full Story
Sunday, January 29, 2006
RIM - The Whole Story
Globaltechnology.com has a good article that outlines the events that have lead up RIM's patent troubles. I have been using a blackberry for over 4 years now and have grown attached to getting real time email on my hip. Sometimes I want to throw out the window while driving 80 down the freeway, but still a very important device I need to stay productive. Over the last year other alternatives have slowing matured to the point of competing with the Crackberry.
Full Story
Full Story
Friday, January 13, 2006
Sending WiFi Signals Thru Gas Pipes
Very interesting use of existing gas pipelines. Univ of Missouri-Rolla has succesfully sent WiFi signals through a gas pipeline.
Full Story
Full Story
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Let There Be Wi-Fi
"Broadband is the electricity of the 21st century—and much of America is being left in the dark. " Robert McChesney and John Podesta give us give us some good insight into the growing debate over Muni WiFi systems.
"American residents and businesses now pay two to three times as much for slower and poorer quality service than countries like South Korea or Japan. Since 2001, according to the International Telecommunications Union, the United States has fallen from fourth to 16th in the world in broadband penetration. "
The dispute over municipal broadband bears a striking similarity to the development of the electric power industry a century ago. As James Baller—an attorney who represents local governments and public utilities—first warned in a 1994 paper written for the American Public Power Association: “The history of the electric power industry casts substantial doubt on the notion that our nation can depend on competition among cable and telephone companies alone... to ensure not only prompt and affordable, but also universal, access to the benefits of the information superhighway.”
Full Story
"American residents and businesses now pay two to three times as much for slower and poorer quality service than countries like South Korea or Japan. Since 2001, according to the International Telecommunications Union, the United States has fallen from fourth to 16th in the world in broadband penetration. "
The dispute over municipal broadband bears a striking similarity to the development of the electric power industry a century ago. As James Baller—an attorney who represents local governments and public utilities—first warned in a 1994 paper written for the American Public Power Association: “The history of the electric power industry casts substantial doubt on the notion that our nation can depend on competition among cable and telephone companies alone... to ensure not only prompt and affordable, but also universal, access to the benefits of the information superhighway.”
Full Story
Thursday, January 05, 2006
TV with builtin WiFi
HP has introduced a TV with builtin WiFi. According to the HP web site:
"HP is also introducing the industry's first Advanced Digital Media TV that allows consumers to view and enjoy video, music, movies and photos stored on individual PCs throughout the home and also provides direct Internet access from the comfort of their couch."
Full Story
"HP is also introducing the industry's first Advanced Digital Media TV that allows consumers to view and enjoy video, music, movies and photos stored on individual PCs throughout the home and also provides direct Internet access from the comfort of their couch."
Full Story
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