- Taiwan-based Acer recently joined the Intel-led
OPA (Open Patent Alliance) and became the first global PC OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) to join the alliance, according to a May 11 press
release by the OPA. The OPA was formed in June 2008 to advance the development and
proliferation of mobile WiMAX worldwide. In addition to Acer, current members
include Intel, Samsung Electronics, Alcatel-Lucent, Alvarion, Cisco, Clearwire,
and Huawei Technologies. Acer has already included several WiMAX-embedded
notebook and netbook PCs in its Acer Aspire and Acer Travelmate product lines.
- Japan's NEC has been selected by UQ
Communications for the supply of base stations in the carrier's nationwide mobile
WiMAX deployment project in Japan, according to a May 11 press release by NEC. NEC's
newly developed PasoWings BS202, purportedly the world's first WiMAX base
station equipped with UL-BF (Uplink-Beam Forming) technologies, will be deployed
in UQ Communications' mobile WiMAX network. The PasoWings BS202 is believed to
be able to enhance communications speed and base station coverage area by
decreasing RF (Radio Frequency) interference between base stations and
terminals. UQ Communications has set a target for its mobile WiMAX coverage to
reach over 90% of Japan's population by the end of fiscal 2012 ending March 31,
2013.
- US-based Soma Networks plans to release
compact WiMAX-enabled devices in India within six months, which will be
co-marketed with state-owned carrier BSNL, according to India's Business
Standard on May 11. Soma Networks and BSNL have been collaborating on deploying
WiMAX service in three Indian telecom circles: Gujarat, Maharashtra, including
Goa, and Andhra Pradesh. In February 2009, the two companies launched their
first WiMAX service in the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat and have so far established
a subscriber base of 1,000 enterprise customers. In order to advance WiMAX
service in Gujarat, Soma Networks plans to add an investment of around US$80
million in the state, also according to Business Standard. Thus far, Soma
Networks has invested approximately US$50 million in Gujarat and deployed about
30 base stations for BSNL's local WiMAX network. By means of the additional
investment, the company expects to push the number of WiMAX base stations in
Gujarat to 300 by the end of fiscal 2009.