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Where in the world are WiMAX networks?
Claims of 250+ network trials and deployments worldwide still has consumers asking where they can get connected.
More than 250 trials and deployments of WiMAX technologies exist today, according to reports from Intel and WiMAX Forum. Details about the locations of these networks, the operators, and the service offerings are not publicly available.
One source of information about carrier trials and deployments is WiMAXCounts from Maravedis. This service is valuable for companies within the industry looking for insight into broadband wireless operator businesses. The online subscription service tracks over 250 broadband wireless access (BWA) operators around the world. A subset of the operators profiled in the service is trialing or deploying WiMAX today. Each operator profile includes the company's spectrum holdings, deployment cities, service offerings, and pricing.
Click here to view larger map
Consumers and businesses looking for a WiMAX provider need an easy-to-use directory that answers the basic availability question, "Can I get service?" The input for such a directory could initially contain two questions and one output:
Query: What country are you located in?
Query: What services are you interested in? [business/residential/mobile]
Output: Here is a list of operators that match your search criteria and how to reach them
Providers of WiMAX services would benefit from the exposure introduced by a consumer-centric referral site.
The public information about WiMAX and broadband wireless operator services is sparse. Clearwire is the largest wireless internet service provider with over 399,000 BWA customers across the US and parts of Europe. The current Clearwire network uses proprietary equipment from Motorola NextNet. The launch of WiMAX services in four US cities is targeted for this year and the company does not have any announced plans for European expansion. Combing through hundreds of vendor and service provider press releases is the only other means to learn about trials and eventual commercial deployments.
South Korea and Pakistan have the largest deployments of mobile WiMAX technology. Korea's WiBro service from KT and SK Telecom provides coverage across metropolitan Seoul for more than 100,000 users. Wateen in Pakistan recently ordered 198,000 802.16e CPE from Motorola to offer nationwide fixed residential and business services. The most talked about and anticipated network is Sprint's Xohm service in the US. Announced in August 2006, Xohm mobile WiMAX service is expected to go live in three cities this April.
Momentum continues to build for initial deployments of WiMAX networks. Potential WiMAX end-users still lack the basic information to know who is offering services in their country.
By Jeff Orr
ORR Technology
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Don't look behind the curtain!
The Wateen deployment is using Motorola's 802.16e gear (Moto wi4). It is not the Canopy fixed BWA equipment nor the NextNet equipment (currently deployed by Clearwire, for example), which are proprietary to the company.
Once WiMAX Forum Certified products are named, the question will resurface if all of these deployments meet those requirements or require and upgrade or replacement.
Your conclusion about operators and equipment vendors being clear and concise is important. The map is provided to depict BWA and WiMAX commercial deployments. I have reviewed the data in the WiMAXCounts service and believe it to be an accurate representation of BWA/WiMAX deployments. As noted in the article, the information on equipment used (proprietary or 802.16-based) is as good as what the operators and users share.
Consumers of these services have a voice -- send me photos of your "WiMAX" equipment and any documentation that was included with the device. Let's get to the bottom of what is really being deployed.
-Jeff Orr
ORR Technology
WiMAX or not WiMAX?
Also, it would be interesting to know which of these "deployments" are really true deployments and not limited trials.
WiMAX is great technology and an endless opportunity: the WiMax industry would however gain a lot by making things clear and accurate.