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Today's Top Stories
1. CSIRO ready for WiFi patent fight
2. Sprint's Foresee facing shareholder pressure
3. AT&T wants licenses in India
4. EC commences Qualcomm probe
5. Metric: Web access important to customers
Also Noted: Wireless Voice 2007
Spotlight On... FCC, Frontline oppose Verizon 700 MHz motion; When will Europe auction mobile broadband spectrum?; DoCoMo's 3G subscribers surpass 40M; and much more...
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What is 4G? That question has been bantered about for some time, with some saying there is no such thing because the International Telecommunications Union hasn't officially created any 4G standards. Consulting juggernaut Accenture, however, is advising its global carrier clients to move away from
any strict technology definitions of 4G and embrace the term as an entirely new business model revolving around open access.
Shahid Ahmed, partner with Accenture's Technology Consulting Group and the lead for the firm's Network Technologies Wireless practice, argues that opening up the network voluntarily in this new high-speed data environment allows third-party developers and other ecosystem players to flourish
because they are free to build wireless applications that will truly take advantage of mobility's unique attributes, such as location and presence.
Open access sounds like fighting words to many an operator, but Ahmed says U.S. operators in particular have a unique opportunity to leapfrog Europe and Asia by offering open access in the 4G world.
"If you look at the investments happening in the Web 2.0 world, there is no place in the world like California, where investments in Web 2.0 companies is greater than any sector," Ahmed said. "Look at Flickr and Facebook. There is tremendous movement and transformation happening in the Internet.
The wireless industry has a golden opportunity to take advantage of all of these things happening on the Web and translate them into new services."
We've heard these arguments before from the Googles and other content folks, but this view from Accenture, which advises some of the world's largest mobile operators, means there has to be some lucrative ways to monetize open access--the main concern of operators. After all, the firm's primary
concern is helping operators generate revenue.
Ahmed says operators can monetize open access by encouraging third-party developers to use their created APIs (application program interfaces) and SDKs (software development kits), which enhances the value chain and adds stickiness since then the applications can only be used on that
carrier's particular network.
For sure, there are many growing pains in transitioning from a telco to an Internet-like company: new stakeholders, new types of customers, new marketing strategies and different sales channels. However, the industry can already look to two companies as examples. 3 in the U.K. has decided to
open its network to third-party developers and of course Sprint will trail blaze this concept through its WiMAX deployment in the U.S.
Ahmed said this transition to open access is inevitable. "The writing is on the wall," he said. "Regulatory-wise and policy-wise, everyone is endorsing open access. Times have changed since the biggest Internet debacle in the early 2000s. The cost of IT is now significantly less than it was
then. All of this bodes well for wireless world. It's the next frontier, and I think for that reason, 4G is going to excite the industry."--Lynnette
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1. CSIRO ready for WiFi patent fight
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The Australian government's research body CSIRO, which claims to hold critical WiFi patents, won't give the IEEE its assurance that it will refrain from suing companies that release next-generation WiFi equipment based on the draft 802.11n standard.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) wrote to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) asking the research group to promise it won't sue over the release of pre-802.11n equipment. Denis Redfern, vice president of licensing with CSIRO, said
the research body is "happy to confirm that CSIRO continues to be willing to license these patents on a worldwide basis to manufacturers of notebook computers, access points and other wireless-enabled products that would otherwise infringe the patents." Redfern added that reaching licensing
agreements have "proved not to be possible" to date, as licensing terms CSIRO has made to manufacturers have been rejected.
CSIRO already has won a patent lawsuit against Buffalo Technology. Dell, Intel, Microsoft, HP and Netgear last year filed suit to overturn CSIRO's patents.
What's at stake? Steep licensing fees to CSIRO from makers of a whole host of WiFi products. Although some industry experts say the risk is overblown.
For more about CSIRO's WiFi patents:
- read this article from ZDNet
2. Sprint's Foresee facing shareholder pressure
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Sprint Nextel's Chief Executive Gary Forsee is feeling pressure from activist investor Ralph Whitworth who told The Wall Street Journal that investors have lost confidence in the leader.
Since gaining a stake in Sprint earlier this year, Whitworth has rattled the cage with management regarding its investments in WiMAX as well as what he calls poor attention to the company's core mobile-phone business. He also asked the company to consider the potential sale of its
fiber-optic-networking and long-distance operations. Sprint has been struggling with churn in its core mobile-phone business, its integration of Nextel and heavy spending on WiMAX.
Whitworth, however, isn't demanding Forsee step down, but places responsibility on the board. His company, Relational Investors, owns about 53.1 million shares, or 1.9 percent, of Sprint's shares outstanding. Whitworth has experience in ousters. He played a role in the departure of Robert
Nardelli, former CEO of Home Depot, and the ouster of Sovereign Bancorp CEO Jay Sidhu.
For more about Sprint's pressure:
- take a look at this WSJ article (sub. req.)
Related articles:
Forsee on Sprint's WiMAX plans
Sprint WiMAX approach emerges
Editor's Corner: The Sprint/WiMAX deal
Sprint: WiMAX to launch in DC, Chicago first
FiberTower inks backhaul deal for Sprint's WiMAX
Sprint's WiMAX service to be branded: Xohm?
3. AT&T wants licenses in India
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AT&T is making good on its intentions to get into the Indian wireless market, announcing that its Indian unit has applied for wireless licenses in that country as part of a majority stake in a partnership with India's Mahindra Telecom Group. AT&T said it applied for licenses in 22 of 23
zones in India. AT&T reportedly owns 74 percent of the partnership.
AT&T revealed recently that it is looking to acquire companies abroad to offer telecom services around the world to consumers and business users. AT&T particularly has its sights on India, where operators are reporting leading growth--about 6 million new subscribers a month. Vodafone has already gotten its hands on an $11.1 billion stake in India's Hutchison Essar.
For more about AT&T's plans for India:
- read this article from Wireless Week
Related articles:
Strong WiFi growth in India
Vodafone continuing Essar talks
WiMAX push in India
SPOTLIGHT: Emerging market vendors: earnings and sales down
4. EC commences Qualcomm probe
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The European Commission officially launched an investigation into Qualcomm's supposed stranglehold on WCDMA intellectual property.
In October 2005, Broadcom, Ericsson, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic Mobile, and Texas Instruments requested that the EC investigate Qualcomm's alleged anti-competitive conduct in the licensing of essential 3G patents. The companies alleged Qualcomm is violating competition laws and is failing to meet its
promise to license its technology on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.
UBS analyst Maynard Um said the "EC may, among other options, reject the complaints or come to a settlement with Qualcomm. We believe it would be unusual for the EC to mandate royalty rates, particularly given separate agreements already negotiated with the various parties. However, the outcome
is difficult to predict. Additionally, given the complexity and potential impact to the related parties, we would be surprised to see a quick resolution."
For more on the issue:
- read Qualcomm's reaction to the EC proceedings
Related articles:
Chip makers file anti-trust complaint against Qualcomm in South Korea
Moto ankles Qualcomm for Freescale, TI
5. Metric: Web access important to customers
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A new mobile consumer study from The Kelsey Group and research partner ConStat says 44.7 percent of U.S. mobile-phone customers say devices with improved Internet capabilities will be a key factor in their next device purchase decision. The survey also says that 26 percent of mobile subscribers
questioned currently use an Internet access plan.
"The combination of unlimited data plans and next-generation Internet-enabled mobile devices, like Apple's iPhone, suggests mobile Web access will grow to become ubiquitous," said Matt Booth, senior vice president and program director, Interactive Local Media, The Kelsey Group. "Growing mobile
Internet usage and increased satisfaction with mobile Internet applications are among the converging factors that we believe point to a breakthrough year ahead for mobile ad adoption."
To read more about the study:
- read the Kelsey Group release
- read this article from InformationWeek
ALSO NOTED
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Get Smarter About Voice Services: Register Today for Wireless Voice
2007.
Save $300 with Code "VoIP" |
TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT... FCC, Frontline oppose Verizon 700 MHz motion
Not surprisingly, the FCC and Frontline Wireless are opposing Verizon Wireless' emergency motion to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to have its appeal of the 700 MHz open-access stipulations on the fast track. Article
> When will Europe auction mobile broadband spectrum? Check out this chart.
> NTT DoCoMo's 3G subscribers exceed 40 million. Article
> The city of Gothenburg, Sweden, will soon form the world's largest ZigBee network. Article
And finally... eWeek likes the BlackBerry 8820. Article
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> Rapid creation of next generation services through visualization - October 4
Building services for next generation networks such as IMS has never been easier. In this webinar you will see how model based techniques using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), will allow you to rapidly create and deploy SIP based services for an IMS network in an Eclipse environment. Register now!
> Five Critical Questions Regarding 802.11n Deployments - October 30
IT Administrators need to get a head start on understanding 802.11n, and how the next Wi-Fi standard will impact not only their wireless network, but their wired infrastructure as well. Join Xirrus for for an overview of 802.11n and get answers to key questions. Register now!
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> Broadband World Forum Europe 2007: 8-11 October, Berlin, Germany
Register today and gain free access to the Exhibition, Keynotes, Plenary Panels, receptions and TecPreview presentations. A
100€ value. The event will bring together over 7,000 attendees, 100+ exhibiting companies, and 200+ speakers world-wide. USE PROMO CODE: eplus.
> WiMax Summit Australia 2007, October 22-25
WiMax Summit Australia 2007 promises to deliver premium content and speakers on one of the hottest topics in the telecommunications market. In an unbiased forum, our speakers will get to the bottom of whether there really is a business case for WiMAX in the distribution of broadband in
Australia. Visit www.terrapinn.com/2007/wimax_au for more details.
> CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment - October 23-25, San Francisco, CA
CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2007, the largest wireless data event in the industry, truly embodies the ever-changing, dynamic and innovative world of wireless data in Enterprise and in
Entertainment. This is the one show that brings key audiences such as enterprise users, solution providers, content owners and mobile distribution channels together to form strategic partnerships, service industry needs and create new innovations in wireless data.
> Wireless Voice 2007: A Clear Vision for Voice Services - November 13-14, San Francisco, CA
Voice remains the dominant revenue generator for carriers and operators, yet new services and companies are competing for market share. Do you have a strategy to grow revenue and ARPU? Wireless Voice 2007 will show you how. Get smarter about voice services - Register today!
> Mobile WiMAX The Global Congress – 28th-30th November 2007, Cannes France
Mobile WiMAX The Global Congress will enable the business leaders of operators to understand and evaluate the mobile WiMAX opportunity. With 20+ case studies from service providers planning or deploying portable and mobile WiMAX services today, the Mobile WiMAX Global Congress will give you a
complete overview of the current marketplace, a snapshot of who's doing what and the full range of possible business models available. For further information please contact samantha.evans@imago-group.com, call +44 (0) 20 8247 4000 or go to www.mobilewimaxcongress.com.
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> Industry Report: Choosing the Right Business Model for Municipal Wireless Networks (Strategy Focus)
Local governments are experimenting with municipal wireless networks to provide constituents with wireless internet access in outdoor areas of a community. Using this report, understand the public and private entities that form the ecosystem for municipal wireless networks, compare your
strategies to those used by leading vendors, and validate your market messaging and positioning in the municipal wireless market. Click here to read more.
> Industry Report: The BroadbandContentBroadband content sweet spots
The BroadbandContent@Ovum market forecasts estimate broadband content revenues and some connections for the years 2007 to 2011. We have taken the forecasts that we published at the end of May 2007 and analysed them across service groups and regions to draw out the revenue highlights. Click here to read more.
> Industry Report: WiMAX in Asia - Reality Bites
Much WiMAX publicity has focused on the opportunities for deployment in Asia. Asian markets offer opportunities as a result of uneven fixed (and mobile) network deployment. Additionally, regulators and governments have been quick to latch onto the technology as providing a boost to both domestic
social policy initiatives and export-industry development. Click here to read more.
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