Xohm

IP/MPLS Forum approves mobile backhaul spec

Dan O'Shea — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:30:07 -0400

The IP/MPLS Forum announced progress in applying multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) technology to mobile backhaul infrastructures. The group approved its first technical specification as part of its MPLS in Mobile Backhaul Initiative (MMBI). Mobile carriers have been looking to move away from the costs and complexities associated with using traditional TDM-based leased lines for backhaul. The move to new backhaul options has been dragging despite the obvious benefits, so maybe the new spec can help mobile carriers and their backhaul providers make the technology migration.

For more:
- read the IP/MPLS Forum press release

Slideshow - Sprint brings a WiMAX COW to Baltimore for XOHM celebration.

Doug Mohney — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:39:31 -0400

Sprint took no chances for its WiMAX XOHM celebration event in Baltimore.

The company deployed a supplemental "cell site on wheels" - or COW - on top of a parking garage next to the event to ensure WiMAX coverage was rock-solid. The COW is a glorified trailer containing equipment racks and an extendable mast to elevate antennas to the proper height.

COWs are used to provide supplemental coverage for larger events -- you see a lot of them in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show and other large trade shows -- and at disasters and other emergencies when the primary coverage has been clobbered (Think Hurricane and downed cellular tower).

More pictures of the COW and its equipment can be found at the full slideshow here.

Stop Swift Boating WiMAX

Doug Mohney — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:39:59 -0400

Sprint's XOHM service has barely clocked a week of commercial operation in Baltimore, and you'd think the company had been in the sub-prime mortgage business with all the media sniping this week. If I'm Dan Hesse, I'd be asking who is trying to Swift Boat me.

Think I'm kidding? CNET leads with "Sprint's WiMax efforts doomed to failure?" and anchors Sprint's business model to the failure of EarthLink's city-based WiFi efforts. The piece goes on to kvetch about how few WiMAX devices are available rather than wonder why companies would ship lots of WiMAX devices before the networks are up and running. I also have to take issue with throwing the iPhone and Earthlink's network in a sentence; the latter was door-knob dead before the former was everyone's pocket toy.

A Network World story labels WiMAX as "something of an oddball technology" in the mobile data world. This is likely stemming from a long-standing whisper campaign about how mobile WiMAX is "unproven" and "doesn't work," and yet AT&T seems to feel a business venture between Sprint and ClearWire deserves court action.

If that's not enough, there was also considerable gnashing of teeth over Sprint's WiMAX network management policies where they say they may do some limiting or restricting of apps to protect the network. It resulted in trigging a micro, knee-jerk Network Neutrality storm, rather than considering that Sprint has historically and traditionally been among the most "hands off" when it has come to data cellular usage and Internet usage.

If you want to make reasonable arguments about the credit markets maybe slowing down WiMAX deployment (still more) or point out Clearwire's spotty track record in running a cash-flow positive business, I'm willing to listen. But I'm not sure if we can have such discussions based upon the thoughtless mudslinging that's taking place right now.

Right now, WiMAX is the only 4G game in town and if it you think it has problems, you better start wondering how long it will realistically take for LTE to appear on a cell tower near you.

- Doug

Samsung replaces NSN in Xohm Dallas launch

Dan O'Shea — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:45:00 -0400

Sprint's Xohm WiMAX network launched this week in Baltimore, but the lesser-known Xohm-related story out of WiMAX World in Chicago is that Samsung has replaced Nokia Siemens Networks as the vendor for the Xohm network in Dallas. Telephony reports that Sprint chose to move forward with Samsung--its vendor for East Coast markets--in Dallas because doing so will allow it to accelerate its market launch.

Sprint and NSN both are saying that NSN is still a key Xohm vendor. NSN's WiMAX gear is still undergoing production. NSN came in as thir surprise third vendor choice for Xohm well after Samsung and Motorola were already part of the team.

For more:
- check out this coverage at Telephony

WiMAX: The new broadband factor

Dan O'Shea — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:29:52 -0400

It's a busy week here in Chicago, where the Cubs are launching their postseason odyssey and the White Sox are still trying to get into the playoffs. For normal Chicagoans, those baseball matters will take precedence, but of course, those of us who are true telecom technology followers will have only other events on our minds--WiMAX World and Telephony Live: the 2008 Telecom Summit.

I'll be paying visits to both conferences, and--well, I'll admit I'll also be checking score in between keynotes and interviews. The biggest telecom news of the week is likely to come out of WiMAX World, as Sprint Nextel this week finally rolls out WiMAX service in Baltimore. Though service providers such as TDS Telecom and DigitalBridge Communications have launched WiMAX commercially in the U.S., the latter with mobile broadband capabilities, the initial launch of WiMAX with mobile broadband by a major national carrier is an important step for the technology in the U.S. market.

Sprint's Xohm offering may not present any real threat to wireline broadband or other mobile broadband services just yet, but it does have that potential. The Baltimore launch will give us some idea if Americans are willing to switch home broadband providers for a wireless option with DSL-like speeds for around $25 per month (plus about $60 for the modem). The mobile user plan will cost a few dollars more, though of course, it will be hamstrung by coverage limitations until Sprint rolls out more WiMAX markets.

The U.S. broadband market is in a state of great change right now, as telco and cable TV customers are moving to one another's services, DSL adoption growth is declining and average citizens are trying to figure out how to keep broadband services in their dwindling household budgets. A market in flux may be just the market opportunity to give WiMAX backers some hope.

-Dan

For more:
- see this report at The Wall Street Journal

PBT earns backhaul role for Sprint's Xohm

Dan O'Shea — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:34:56 -0400

Provider backbone transport (PBT, also call provider backbone bridging, or PBB) has had a tough year, going from being a much-hyped technology at the beginning of 2008, to being shunned by BT and other carriers and vendors in recent months. But, this week, PBT got a starring role it can be proud of, as the Ethernet technology to be used for backhaul in Sprint's new Xohm WiMAX network. Sprint is using gear from Ciena (and Clearwire is, too, according to Unstrung).

The high-profile deployment gives PBT backers something to cheer about, but also may renew the animosity between the technology's supporters and its critics. Light Reading Europe reports that the Carrier Ethernet World Congress in Berlin this week has played host to much hot debate between PBT and multi-protocol layer switching camps.

For more:
- see this coverage at Unstrung
- check out this report at Light Reading Europe

Cable TV firms withdraw from Pivot venture

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:59:56 -0400

The major cable TV companies who had joined with Sprint Nextel to create the Pivot wireless venture are pulling out of the deal, news first reported by BroadbandReports. Their withdrawal does not come as a big surprise, as both Sprint and the cable TV firms-Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Advance Newhouse-had stopped marketing Pivot. Also, there have been reports that some cable players were considering investing in a new Sprint-Clearwire WiMAX joint venture, which put future development of the Pivot offering in doubt.

Pivot reportedly had not had much impact with consumers. This also looks like a case of a new technology and the pace of the mobile broadband evolution altering what should constitute a cable player wireless offering. Though, WiMAX is no sure thing either, if the new joint venture happens, it presumably would allow the cable guys to offer a 4G as cutting-edge as Sprint's eventual offering. And speaking of "eventual," Sprint also has delayed its Xohm WiMAX service roll out because of backhaul capacity and billing system issues.

For more:
- read this Dow Jones wire story at CNN Money
- here's the original story at BroadbandReports
- TelephonyOnline reports of the Xohm delay

Related articles:
Cable companies' interest in investing in the Sprint Clearwire joint venture became apparent last month. Cable report
Timeline--Sprint's ill-fated Pivot. Pivot report

Sprint's other business remains undercover

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 06:59:58 -0500

There are so many rumors and possibilities swirling around Sprint Nextel these days: Could Sprint spin off Nextel? Could Sprint Nextel stay together, but spin off the Xohm WiMAX business? Will Sprint and Clearwire relaunch their aborted WiMAX partnership? Could Deutsche Telekom, owner of T-Mobile USA, acquire Sprint? Will Verizon Communications acquire Sprint? Will Google buy Sprint?

I won't add any new ones to the list, because I don't think it's humanly possible. DSL Reports already come up with the topper anyway.

What the rumors don't mention, and what no one seems to care about, (and yet, what we find ourselves caring about again) is what could or should happen to Sprint's wireline properties. Sprint's wireline business recently showed improved operating income, with a slight decline in revenue. The carrier has a global Internet backbone business, offers business DSL, wireline Ethernet and other IP services that are seeming to recede further into the shadows as the company's volatile wireless business produces one headline after another.

If a wireline/wireless giant such as Verizon or DT were to acquire Sprint, would they find reason to keep and invest in the wireline business? Are the wireline properties further spin-off material? That worked once already when Sprint spun off its local exchange unit as Embarq. In a global market where some companies are keying in on acquiring more backbone capacity and others are trying to rapidly add business market penetration and accounts, you would think Sprint's wireline assets might be a treasure to someone out there.

- Dan

Re-assessing WiMAX

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Publisher's Note:

If you're someone based in Europe or who follows the European wireless market, I have some good news: Today we launched a new, Europe-focused edition of FierceWireless. The new publication, called FierceWireless:Europe, will cover the European wireless industry on a twice-weekly basis. Sign up is available at www.fiercewireless.com/europe/signup.

FierceWireless:Europe will be written and edited by our new U.K.-based correspondent, Paul Rasmussen. Paul has been writing about mobile communications for more than 12 years, and we are thrilled to add him to our team. You may see his coverage in this publication from time to time.

We at FierceMarkets are particularly excited about FierceWireless:Europe. It's our first-ever international edition, and we have high hopes and expectations. -Jeff

p.s. Here are some useful links related to the new publication:
Website: www.fiercewireless.com/europe
Email sign-up: www.fiercewireless.com/europe/signup
Press releases: send to paul@fiercemarkets.com
Advertising opportunities: contact jason@fiercemarkets.com or call +1 202-628-8778 x 18

When Sprint Nextel said in the summer of 2006 it would deploy WiMAX as its 4G technology, the WiMAX community tried very hard to keep its excitement in check, lest it seem like Sprint's endorsement was the difference between success and failure. Now, in the wake of Sprint's other problems, the carrier's WiMAX partnership with Clearwire has ended, and several published reports suggest the future of Sprint's own WiMAX based Xohm offering is in doubt. Again, we'll see a lot of poker faces.

And, once again, we'll see the ritual re-assessment of WiMAX, something the WiMAX community probably got used to a long time ago. The broadband wireless technology has had many different potential deployers, users and killer apps in its lifetime already, and though it has standards, interoperability programs and a deep, rich ecosystem on its side, the questions of viability continue.

It's probably a good time, then, to be reminded that outside the U.S., there are a number of different types of carriers--both wireline and wireless--already using WiMAX successfully in different ways. Inside the U.S. market, the question of viability remains valid. Could another major wireless carrier back WiMAX? Is there room for WiMAX in the telco/cable TV duopoly? Could Google, Apple or a collective of entertainment companies fund the national WiMAX network Sprint and Clearwire intended to create through partnership? Broadband subscriber growth has been slowing--does that make it more likely or less likely that telcos and cable TV companies might consider WiMAX worthy to fill broadband coverage gaps or reach new customers?

If just one of these questions could be answered in the affirmative, then WiMAX backers might not have to worry too much what happens with Xohm. - Dan

Sprint faces WiMAX pressure

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:59:56 -0400

Was it only two weeks ago that the industry was celebrating the surging WiMAX market and Sprint Nextel's leadership of the WiMAX ecosystem? Now, following the resignation of Sprint CEO Gary Forsee, the company reportedly is facing pressure from investors to halt or slow its $5 billion WiMAX strategy.

Sprint CTO Barry West has been a one-man, promotional tour de force for WiMAX, and for the company to turn back now almost seems unthinkable. With Sprint's WiMAX plans only at the trial stage, turning back is entirely possible. If that were to happen, would Sprint also lose West, one of the brightest and most engaging technologists in telecom? And what will become of WiMAX? Many other companies are supporting the technology, but Sprint's commitment inspired and forced other service providers, including telcos, to take a closer look at WiMAX.

For more:
- CNET covers Wall Street's WiMAX worries

Related articles:
Remember the good old days of WiMAX
Also: We want to offer a slight clarification on yesterday's posting about Forsee's resignation. It may have sounded like we suggested Sprint had no wireline properties left after the spin-off of Embarq, but of course, the company still has domestic and international wireline long-haul and IP backbone assets that are very productive. Anyway, when we said "wireline," we meant local land line assets.

West: Xohm breaks the mold

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 09:03:32 -0400

There are about 6000 people at WiMAX World in Chicago this week, but only one star, and his name is Barry West. The CTO and head of the Xohm unit at Sprint Nextel is easy to spot here, whether surfing the Internet with media and analysts on a Motorola boat cruise on the Chicago River, delivering a keynote speech, serving on an executive roundtable or hustling through the throngs to his next engagement.

Within the last 13 months, West has become the chief promoter for a WiMAX ecosystem that had been in need of a carrier spokesman prepared only to look ahead, and never behind. West is that and then some, as he took every opportunity at the show Wednesday to talk about how Sprint’s planned Xohm WiMAX service and the carrier’s ecosystem of vendors are will leave old cellular technology and business models—not to mention telco broadband models--in the dust.

West confirmed this week that Xohm will launch in soft mode in Chicago and in the Washington, DC/Baltimore area at the end of this year, followed by the commercial rollout by April 2008. “We’re getting ready for a new era in telecommunications,” he said, which is what so many trade show talk heads say, but West outlined a model for Xohm breaks new ground by dismantling the walled garden content approach, puts an end to traditional wireless device subsidies and eschews long-term contracts.

“We’re encouraging our device partners to come into the market under their own brands,” he said adding that customers will be able to buy devices at major retail outlets that can be activated and programmed with services without Sprint’s help before they make their first run on the Xohm network. West also said Xohm will make an effort to coordinate with location-based services, including advertising, to create a localized portal and search experience.

The early years of WiMAX deployment often have required network equipment makers to also feed the user market by manufacturing their own CPE, but announcements this week from Nokia about new WiMAX-enabled tablet devices and from Motorola about plans for new PC cards, USB devices and handsets seem to back up West’s assertion that the time is right to let go of devices subsidies. Now, all the budding WiMAX industry needs to do is make sure those devices get sold.