2008 WiMAX Expo, Taipei, June 2 - June 6
June 06, 2008
- According to Taiwan's Commercial Times, ITRI announced that it has cooperated with NTT Broadband, NTT, Corning, and ZyXel to develop WiMAX broadband network solutions, allowing WiMAX to be used on high speed rail lines. Interoperability trials on a WiMAX demonstration system for the THSR (Taiwan High Speed Rail) - slated for completion at year-end of 2008 - have kicked off in April, 2008, according again to Taiwan's Commercial Times.
- In the wake of the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) signed between Taiwan's MOEA (Ministry of Economic Affairs) and the company, Motorola announced on June 2 that it plans to set up its first WIMAX IOT (Interoperability Testing) center worldwide in Taiwan, in a bid to help Taiwanese WiMAX network device suppliers to conduct tests for their CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), network cards, and dual-mode mobile phones in Taiwan instead of overseas, Taiwan's Economic Times reported. As previously reported, Alcatel-Lucent also has opened a WiMAX IOT center in Taiwan in January 2008.
- Several telecom operators in Taiwan with WiMAX network licenses have separately announced that they will delay the commercialization of WIMAX services until 2009, according to Taiwan's China Times. To date, WiMAX licensees who have made such announcements include First International Telecom, Vastar cable TV, and Far EastTone Telecom, the Liberty Times of Taiwan reported. According to the same report, VMAX Telecom will launch WiMAX services on schedule in the third quarter of 2008, and Tatung Telecom and Global Mobile will deliver such services at year-end 2008 as originally planned.
- Alcatel-Lucent has inked a cooperation agreement with Tatung InfoComm - a fully-owned subsidiary of Taiwan-based Tatung Cooperation - whereby Alcatel-Lucent will help the latter deploy a commercial WiMAX 802.16e-2005 network in Penghu County, Taiwan, Telecomworldwire reported on June 2. Pursuant to the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide Tatung a comprehensive WiMAX solution, including WiMAX-enabled radio access network equipment, core network elements, and related technical support and services, according to the same source.