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WiMAX Problems in India ?
It seems that India (home to over 1 billion people) is having problems with deploying WiMAX. This is in part due to the government taking its time in allocating spectrum to system integrators and ISP's. According to a news source, the globally used band for WiMAX is 2.5 GHz - 2.7 GHZ, but in India this band is locked for satellite based mobile and broadcast applications such as national emergencies and natural disasters.
What is available is the 2.3 GHz- 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz that has been allocated to several IPS's. According to the ISP's, these bands are good for trials only, but not for city wide and commercial deployment. The key players of WiMAX and even 3G have asked the Indian government to release higher band frequencies so that deployment can be made, but government officials are confused as to how much and at what price they should let go of the spectrum. On the other hand, the department of Defense has certain frequency bands under its belt, which it is unwilling to give up for any price.
The problem in India is a common one. A scarce resource like spectrum, which is held by both, the government as well as the military will be allocated slowly over a short period of time. Due to India's highly regulated spectrum market people should not expect WiMAX to mushroom all over the country anytime soon.
Zain Y. Shah
RE
Thanks for the response...Firstly, I never said that spectrum was ONLY being allocated to ISP's and system integrators (please re-read blog)...secondly, I read your article (which is over 6 months old) and no where does it mention which frequency is being used by Aircel....also, please read the following article (which is 3 days old) http://www.govtech.net/digitalcommunities/story.php?id=105151&story_pg=1
Thanks again for reading
RE
Also I'd like to point out that the frequency for Aircel is not mentioned in the article, but this is real information I have that you won't find out there (but is true). I don't want to discuss this anymore, just wanted to contribute with facts I know, which are hard to find in the web because they've not been in the news and that might help everyone understand a little more about the whole situation. (now don't take me wrong, I don't mean I know more than you or someone else, I just wanted to add data to form a clearer picture). Stay cool.
Spectrum available also for Mobile Operators
I know that these tests were successful using Rev. E. and not only Rev. D which has been operating for some months now. It was not only a proof of concept but a real field trial including mobility and several different services as file download, VoIP, internet browsing and even video streaming.
This was announced during 3GSM in Barcelona (February 2007) and there have been other news as the following.
<a HREF="http://www.blonnet.com/2006/10/11/stories/2006101103190500.htm">
Aircel unveils WiMAX in Chennai</A>
So, apparently the 2.5 GHz band is allocated for WiMAX already and other operators have been able to get ahold of it.