wimax

Remember that mysterious WiMax-enabled HTC device from last month, the HTC T8920?  Well if not that’s okay since we just got official word that HTC has partnered with Russian carrier Yota to produce the world’s first integrated GMS/WiMax handset, the HTC MAX 4G.  Our previous specs remain accurate as the HTC MAX 4G sports an impressive 800 x 480 pixel resolution touchscreen, video on demand, WiFi, an accelerometer, 2 cameras, FM radio and a 1500mAh battery.

The interesting piece of information here is that calls between Yota customers will automatically be routed as VoIP calls using the WiMax network instead of cellular.  With similar specs to the HTC Touch HD, the MAX 4G runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with the TouchFLO 3D GUI.  Finally, the MAX 4G will support the Yota Video network with the ability to display up to 9 TV channels simultaneously.

HTC MAX 4G Specifications

Continue reading

Federal regulators are giving Sprint Nextel Corp. the green light to spin off and merge its new WiMax wireless broadband network with that of Clearwire Corp.

In a 5-0 vote Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission approved a plan to combine Sprint’s Xohm network with Clearwire’s WiMax-like network. Google Inc., Intel Corp. and a group of cable companies are investing billions into the $14.6 billion venture, which will carry Clearwire’s name.

The Justice Department has already indicated that it will allow the deal to proceed, but will continue to monitor it.

Via AP News

The WiMAX Forum has issued a report which projects the Indian WiMAX market including devices will be worth $13 billion in 2012. The WiMAX Forum forecasts that by 2012 the Indian market will support 27.5 million WiMAX users representing approximately 20% of the global WiMAX user base.

“In India, WiMAX represents a win-win proposition, benefiting both network operators and subscribers at the same time,” explains CS Rao, Chairman, WiMAX Forum India chapter. “Broadband penetration being low, the opportunity for operators to gain large numbers of subscribers through WiMAX is incredible. Any service provider with innovative service offerings, attractive devices and go-to-market plans that maximize the utility offered by WiMAX technology to price-sensitive Indian customers can use this ready and proven technology to quickly gain market share.”

Via WiMAX Forum

Taiwanese manufacturer HTC has been busy working on their first-ever GSM/WiMax device: the HTC T8920.  Unfortunately for those of you living in Baltimore enjoying Sprint’s WiMax service there is no CDMA support on the device since it is intended for a Russian release on WiMax provider Yota.  On the positive side, the T8920 has been clocked at a downlink speed of nearly 14 Mbps and it delivers a Touch HD quality 3.8 inch 800 x 480 pixel WVGA screen.  At this point not much is known about the device, but we have managed to round up a few specifications:

• 3.8″ 800×480 WVGA LCD
• GSM+WiMax
• 802.11g WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0

We are hoping for a possible spinoff of the T8920 that drops the GSM bands in favor of a CDMA flavor for Sprint subscribers.  Being able to live in Baltimore and have access to Sprint’s WiMax network, Xohm, plus having a T8920 might just be the perfect combination.

Via intoMobile

BALTIMORE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Catalysts of a new 4G wireless broadband era gathered today in Baltimore as Sprint (NYSE: S), Intel(R) and their WiMAX ecosystem partners celebrated the recent launch of XOHM(TM) mobile 4G service, and announced new access devices and retail strategies at an Inner Harbor event. The occasion marked a business model transformation for the wireless industry and innovation in the way mobile services are accessed and enjoyed.

XOHM, Sprint’s 4G business unit, is building the fastest most capable mobile broadband network available in the U.S. as compared to other national wireless carriers. “Customers looking for true mobile broadband speed at affordable prices and the Open Internet will find that in this new service,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO.

XOHM and its WiMAX ecosystem will provide customers with new wireless data and web services by incorporating WiMAX capabilities in consumer electronic devices and unleashing the Internet from wires and place-based communications. “4G has rapidly gone from a mobility vision to service reality with the launch of XOHM service in Baltimore,” said Barry West, XOHM president. “Nothing has ignited the imagination of a cross section of industries and the partnership of an ecosystem the way WiMAX technology has. We are delighted with the reception we have received.” Continue reading

The official commercial launch of Sprint’s 4G solution, Xohm, is now live in Baltimore, Maryland.  While other carriers will be looking to LTE for their next generation mobile broadband speeds, Xohm will be a radical shift in the business model of wireless by delivering an open market without contracts.  The service will be available either for home use for $25/month or on-the-go for $35/month.  Sprint is attacking any consumer looking for high speed Internet by even offering day passes on their WiMax network for $10.  The good news is that there are no restrictions on which products can use the Xohm service.

Continue reading

Yesterday at the Bond Street Wharf Park, Sprint Nextel made an official announcement that their WiMax service with partner Clearwire, Xohm, will go live in Baltimore on October 8th.  They also confirmed that Chicago and Washington D.C. would be the next cities to join in on the next generation of mobile broadband. Intel will be a major sponsor, along with Motorola, Nokia, Nokia-Siemens Networks, Samsung, ZTE and ZyXEL. Technology partners also include Ciena, DragonWave, Mformation and others. There are location-based services partners as well.

“Backhaul is a key focus area for us as we build out the Xohm network,” said Doug Smith, senior vice president and chief technical operations officer of Sprint’s Xohm business unit in a prepared statement. “A next-generation, Ethernet-based architecture can optimize efficiency and give us backhaul cost advantages. Ciena’s Carrier Ethernet platforms offer performance, scalability and simplified traffic engineering to expedite deployment and accommodate growth demands.”

Source

We all remember the Sprint Nextel announcement back in February 2007 where Sprint promised to deliver WiMax to Washington D.C. and Baltimore by later that year.  Unfortunately a series of hiccups and delays followed, resulting in a partnership with Clearwire and Sprint branding their WiMax service, Xohm.  Earlier this summer Sprint announced that the testing phase was complete for Washington D.C. and Baltimore and that they were ready to launch Xohm commercially in these two markets.

This is a major step towards launch readiness and Sprint is extremely pleased with the performance of the mobile WiMAX network and access devices from Samsung,” said Barry West, former president of Sprint’s mobile broadband network branch, called Xohm, and now president of Clearwire. “The collaboration with Samsung and our other partners has created a WiMAX ecosystem that has now proven that it can deliver this new technology to the marketplace well ahead of any feasible alternative.

It looks like the “later this year” promise is finally going to materialize as sources close to Sprint have hinted at a commercial launch for Baltimore within two weeks.  While we would prefer that Sprint makes a formal announcement, the timing is on track and both markets have been ready for launch since mid-May 2008.

Source: Washington Business Journal

Sorry Helio Ocean fans, this year will not bring you the highly anticipated update to the ever-popular Helio Ocean.  With Virgin Mobile taking the reigns of Helio earlier this year and the recent transition of services and subscribers, Virgin Mobile made several big announcements at CTIA today.  Despite the Ocean being the best selling device for Helio, Virgin Mobile spokeswoman Jayne Wallace had very unfortunate news.

The Ocean 2 is not going to be 2008,” Wallace said. “It has been manufactured, and there is a commitment to putting it on the market, but it’s going to be in early 09 … just because the shell has been manufactured doesn’t mean it should be released right now. We want to put it out when it’s the best it can be.”

The other big announcement disclosed a hint at the future of Virgin Mobile for next generation data networks.  With Virgin Mobile being hosted by Sprint and the Sprint WiMax service ready to go live next month, Virgin Mobile WiMax devices might soon be in pipeline

As Sprint adds things to their network - as they add WiMax, for instance - we’ll have access to these things. WiMax isn’t on the drawing board for any time soon, but when we have the handsets that can fulfill that [system], it’s an opportunity.

Source: GearLog