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WiMAX devices: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
By Jeff Orr
Web: www.orrtechnology.com
The old adage asks one to ponder how a cyclical behavior begins. Do we need
chickens first to create eggs, or did an egg start the process of building
generations of chickens? For mobile broadband networks, the same dilemma occurs.
Instead of a chicken and its offspring, the wireless industry has infrastructure
providers and device manufacturers. And in this barnyard scenario, the role of
poultry farmer will be played by network operators.
Infrastructure providers look to the device vendors to understand application,
form-factor, and operational trends. In contrast, device manufacturers look to
the infrastructure players to build networks that users can connect to with
their applications and products. Is the service area sufficient for the desired
mobile application? To minimize compatibility problems and take control over
both sides of the equation, early vendors often develop both the infrastructure
and devices.
For Mobile WiMAX, the device vendors made the first move. Several technology
companies created device concepts that were both unique and innovative – good
qualities to differentiate them from 3G device portfolios. The manufacturing
ecosystem in Taiwan has already kicked in with multiple companies establishing
dedicated WiMAX divisions who do not want to miss out on the device opportunity.
While everyone anticipates regional and nationwide roll-outs of Mobile WiMAX
networks, now is a good time to examine the status of device availability.
The first mobile WiMAX devices to emerge are PC-centric, enabling a laptop or
ultra-mobile PC to add connectivity through a CardBus or USB interface.
Operating system support is initially limited to Windows-powered machines. In
addition, stand-alone CPE modems are available that provide connections to WiMAX
base stations. Most of these CPE are designed to be installed indoors by the
home consumer and are operating system independent.
The next devices to hit the market in 2008 are multi-mode PC adapters designed
for improved service area using multiple wireless networks. These USB and
CardBus products could enable an operator, such as Sprint-Nextel, to provide a
single service that connects to either an EV-DO Rev.A or Mobile WiMAX network
depending on the local network coverage. Embedded WiMAX chipsets in mobile
computer designs and the first generation of handheld PDAs and smartphones will
also emerge in 2008.
The year 2009 is when most of the cool, unique devices are anticipated for
Mobile WiMAX. Vendors have sketched out plans for everything from digital
cameras to MP3 players to in-car information and entertainment systems. No less
than 50 Mobile WiMAX products have already been announced.
Network coverage remains the significant challenge for realizing the promise of
these WiMAX devices. Until there are large metropolitan and nationwide service
areas, consumers will be limited in their consumption of WiMAX. No one wants to
spend their time looking for a network to connect to. An interesting point to
note is that GSM coverage has matured over the last 10 years to provide relative
ubiquity from country to country, yet stories are still being told about lack of
coverage with GSM even today.
With the wide variety of WiMAX devices scheduled for general availability during
the 2008-2009 timeframe, the question to ponder should be, “would you like that
scrambled, fried, sunny-side up, poached, soft boiled, or care for an omelet?”
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