Expanded 4G Coverage in NYC

Clearwire, Time Warner Cable and Sprint Expand 4G Coverage in New York City

By Clearwire

The city that never sleeps just got another reason to stay awake.

When we first launched our 4G network in New York City 8 months ago we changed the way New Yorkers were able to experience the Internet and stay connected on the go. We’ve been hard at work with Sprint and Time Warner Cable ever since then to continually upgrade and expand our game-changing network, and as of today we’ve added coverage for an extra 91,363 people. That means our total NYC area coverage now reaches over 11,927,000 people.

“Sprint 4G customers in the Greater New York area will benefit from these enhancements,” said Karen Paletta, Sprint’s East region Vice President. And it’s true! We know how busy you are, and these upgrades have made our network bigger, faster and strong enough to keep up with you as you run around making things happen in your city.

“Across New York and New Jersey, Clearwire’s 4G speed continues to set the standard in delivering a high-speed network that businesses and consumers demand,” said Sean Reid, Regional General Manager for Clearwire. It’s never been easier to get things done on the go – whether you’re downloading a file for work or sending your friend a video clip you took during an outdoor concert in the park. As Lou Lazzaro, Vice President of Wireless, Time Warner Cable New York City said, we’re “offering our customers multiple ways to access the information and content they want at home, at work and on the go.”

Reprinted from CLEAR blog

Our Agreement with Ericsson

Author: Clearwire

We just announced that Ericsson, the industry leader in managed services, will manage the day-to-day operations of the Clearwire 4G network. The seven-year, managed services partnership will allow Ericsson to implement their proven global best practices in network management while allowing Clearwire to focus on increasing operational efficiencies and reducing operating costs.

So what does this mean for the folks that built the nation’s first 4G network? We’re happy to report that approximately 700 Clearwire employees are expected to begin performing their network functions as Ericsson employees in locations around the United States before the middle of this year. This also means that network performance isn’t going to suffer because the work we’re seamlessly transitioning to Ericsson will still be performed by the same skilled and talented network employees who perform the work today.

What about our customers, you say? As we just mentioned network performance won’t be an issue so they’ll still have the same great 4G experience. But also, customers will see no change in their interactions with Clearwire because we will remain the priority point of contact. (The same is true for our wholesale partners and vendors.)

As for the significance of this anouncement? We want to direct your attention to a third-party perspective that we found to be quite profound.

“This managed services partnership is the next logical step for both Clearwire and Ericsson, one that will have significant near -term and long-term benefits for Clearwire’s employees, customers, retail distributors and investors,” observed Berge Ayvazian, Senior Consultant with Heavy Reading. “It also represents Ericsson’s second managed services contract in the U.S., building on the Network Advantage agreement that has already delivered major operational and economic benefits for Sprint.”

In short, while we have entered into an agreement with a company whose core competency is network excellence, Clearwire will continue to own our 4G network and remain responsible for network design, network strategy, vendor selection and long-term investment decisions. Our network is still ours – Ericsson is just managing it – allowing us to streamline the business and deliver a high-quality mobile broadband experience to our customers.

Reprinted from the Clearwire blog.

Clearwire and Sprint (peanut butter and jelly, peas and carrots…you get the idea)

By Clearwire

We’re pretty proud of the Sprint and Clearwire match – it’s a partnership that’s been one of the most productive in the U.S. wireless market to date. Together we’ve deployed the first true 4G network in North America and made 4G a household word. So, we’re happy to report that this partnership continues with an updated long-term wholesale agreement between Clearwire and Sprint.

There are a number of details that you can read about here, but the really big news for Clearwire is that Sprint will commit a minimum of $1 billion in cash to Clearwire for 4G wholesale services. This money will be used to support Clearwire’s ongoing operations, and it underscores the interdependent and strategic relationship we have with Sprint.

Our all IP-network is Sprint’s 4G network. (It’s also the same 4G network used by Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Best Buy, Cbeyond, Mitel, and Locus Telecommunications to offer mobile broadband to their customers.) Our unmatched spectrum provides Sprint with a strategic advantage in terms of network capacity. As data usage rises, the need for a rich spectrum portfolio will become even more acute.

With the only 4G wholesale network in the country, coverage for more than 120 million people, and a growing customer and revenue base, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Sprint to deliver outstanding 4G service.

This article is reprinted from the Clearwire blog.

WCAI 4G Caucus Kicks Off with Discussions on Spectrum, AT&T/T-Mobile Merger, 4G Migration Strategies

Gerry Salemme, Partner at Eagle River, kicked off the WCAI 4G Caucus this morning with a fireside chat keynote led by WCAI President Fred Campbell. In a lively discussion of the future of mobile technologies Mr. Salemme spoke about the growing data demand and spectrum issues, the AT&T/T-Mobile merger and the chances of its approval, the gaining momentum of LTE and its potential impact on Clearwire and regional players in the 2.5 GHz band, as well as the economy and the availability of investment capital affecting 4G network deployment in the U.S. Mr. Salemme, who is an advisor to the Clearwire CEO on business and spectrum strategy, also clarified the relationship between Clearwire and Sprint, saying that it’s “more cooperative than people expect.”

The opening keynote was followed by a panel on 4G network migration strategies led by one of the most distinguished industry analysts Berge Ayvazian of Heavy Reading. During the panel, experts from Sprint, AT&T, FiberTower and Tessco discussed their views on the transition from 3G to 4G networks, key challenges of the migration the industry faces, and how policy management solutions can help manage the transition.

Still ahead is the day packed with lively discussions and networking opportunities. Iyad Tarazi, Vice President, Network Development and Engineering at Sprint, will speak about how Sprint’s Network Vision is expected to consolidate multiple network technologies into one, seamless network. Following his keynote presentation, Mr. Campbell of WCAI will lead the discussion on adapting regulations to the new realities of 4G technologies. The panel will feature FCC Wireless Bureau Chief Ruth Milkman, along with regulatory experts from AT&T, Sprint, Clearwire and Wilkinson Barket Knauer.

Other program highlights include a keynote from Sybase an SAP Company on real-time actionable intelligence strategies for 4G operators; a keynote from Alvarion on building 4G smart grid, as well as panel discussions on broadband spectrum options for smart grid applications and on fixed wireless innovations.

Wrapping up the first day of the event will be the popular WCAI Networking Dinner at Ruth’s Chris, one of the best steak houses in town.

So if you are not already here, come join us for the exciting day of discussions and networking!

The Chicken Soup Debate

By Mike Sievert, Chief Commercial Officer, Clearwire

Yesterday Verizon announced it will officially launch its 4G service on December 5th, and as you’ve likely noticed, the marketing muscle of both Verizon and T-Mobile has suddenly become squarely focused on our space. This has prompted many in the industry to start a debate over the definition of “4G”.

Well, as the pioneer in 4G and developer of the first 4G network in the country, we have been doing this for a while now and we think we have a pretty good idea of what 4G is. For us, the definition is quite simple: 4G is next generation. It’s a big leap over 3G, offering you speed and capacity that is several times greater, giving you the ability to have much more than just a thin layer of 3G Internet for checking sports scores and doing email. With 4G, people can experience the magic of true broadband, and have digital lifestyle options that were never available before.

We think “next generation” equals three things – Speed, Capacity, and Value. To be next generation, you have to be fast, and we are. But it also means you have to have higher capacity to be able to handle the tons of megabytes of data that we know you all want. There also has to be a breakthrough in cost so that everyone can have a great value.

The debate going on about who is or isn’t 4G is unimportant because whether it’s called 3G, 4G, WiMAX, LTE, or HSPA+…. all that matters, in the end, is getting a great price on a fast connection with a ton of included usage - a combination that requires the kind of network and capacity that only Clearwire has.

Having a powerful, portable device that’s with you all the time, connecting you without compromise, is also high on that list. The number of devices available is another area to consider when choosing a 4G service. Today our network supports the first (and only) 4G smartphones on the market. And we have an ecosystem of nearly 70 devices to connect you to the power of 4G.

In this increasingly noisy market, the mistake anyone can make is only looking at speed when the real differentiator in 4G is capacity. Because our network has so much spectrum (which translates into capacity) we can offer unlimited usage at a good price. For example, take a CLEAR customer using 20GB a month for $45. With Verizon and its usage caps on the 10GB plan, the same person could be paying $180 a month. Our advice to Verizon customers? Watch the clock every minute and count every megabyte. Our unlimited plans are our most popular plans, because no one wants to feel like they are on the clock.

What do we really think of all of this new competition? We welcome it! When you are as well positioned in a market as we are, you want that market to grow. The more people who hear about mobile broadband, the bigger the market, and the more opportunity for Clearwire to differentiate ourselves and grow.

So remember, when it comes to mobile broadband, speed is important, but capacity is king. And in this area, Clearwire is unrivaled.

Click here to view a comparison table of CLEAR 4G WiMAX and Verizon LTE.

WCAI to Hold Annual Spring Summit April 6-7, 2011 in Washington, DC

Building on success of the annual events WCAI has hosted for almost two decades, we announced today that we will hold our long-running and highly-successful annual Spring Summit on April 6-7, 2011 in Washington, DC. We look forward to providing yet another opportunity for our members and others within the wireless broadband ecosystem to get together and share experience about what it takes to run a successful business in today's constantly changing environment.

The Summit will bring together high-level executives from leading operators, vendors and system integrators, as well as government officials and media representatives. Industry experts will examine operational, technical and regulatory challenges companies face as they are rolling out next-generation networks and services in the United States and beyond. Speakers will present on topics ranging from operator business models, to infrastructure and device availability, to services and applications.

WCAI has a distinguished track record of attracting some of the brightest minds in the industry to our annual events. WCAI's most recent Summer Summit 2010 featured an FCC workshop on the National Broadband Plan, a keynote address by Clearwire EVP Gerry Salemme on what it takes to bring 4G to America, and a presentaton by Motorola Networks CTO Bill Payne on the WiMAX migration paths to 802.16m or TD-LTE.

We look forward to reconnecting with old friends and welcoming new faces to the WCAI Spring Summit 2011, as we work to create one place for industry stakeholders and regulators to learn, network and succeed!

Missed the WCAI Summer Summit This Year? Check Out the Highlights on YouTube!

WCAI posted several videos online highlighting some of the major presentations from our recent Summer Summit. Visit the WCAI page on YouTube to hear Clearwire Executive Vice President Gerry Salemme discuss Clearwire's 4G deployment plans, the types of devices he expects to be most popular with 4G networks, data consumption issues, Clearwire's retail and wholesale presence in the 4G marketplace, and the FCC National Broadband Plan. You will also see Bill Payne, VP & Chief Technology Officer at Motorola Networks, speak about major WiMAX migration paths for operators to consider in 2010 and beyond, and Phoebe Yang, General Counsel, Omnibus Broadband Initiative at the FCC, discuss innovation and opportunities presented by the National Broadband Plan. Watch Videos Now!

WCAI Summer Summit Wraps Up with 4G Facility Tours, Internal Meetings

The WCAI Summer Summit wrapped up Thursday with special tours of the Clearwire 4G lab and DigitalBridge Network Operations Center. Officials from both companies met with Summit attendees to share experience with testing network and end-user devices, as well as deploying and operating next-generation networks.

The tours were followed by a semi-annual meeting of the WCAI’s Emerging Markets Committee – a valuable forum for operators to share tips for success and discuss what works and what doesn’t when it comes to running a wireless broadband business. Led by Committee Chair Joel Brick of Sioux Valley Wireless, the meeting featured John Celentano of WCAI member Tessco as a speaker. Also at the meeting, Mary O’Connor and Bob Primosch of Wilkinson Barker Knauer provided a regulatory update on what operators should keep an eye on in the next six months.

“The WCAI Summit provided a great opportunity for our members to reconnect, learn from each other’s experience, and build relationships with potential new partners,” said WCAI President Fred Campbell. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the attendance and the quality of discussions our members had during open sessions and internal meetings. I look forward to seeing everyone again at the WCAI’s International Symposium, which will be co-located with 4G World on October 18-20 in Chicago.”

Clearwire Keynote Among Program Highlights of WCAI Summer Summit on Day 1

The first day of the WCAI’s Summer Summit is coming to a close, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the attendance and the quality of panel discussions we had here today. Kicking off the afternoon part of the program was Gerry Salemme, Executive Vice President for Strategy, Policy and External Affairs at Clearwire.

“If there was one thing that surprised our business model was how voracious the appetite for data is when you have a device that delivers high speeds,” Salemme said during a fireside chat with WCAI President Fred Campbell. “Our average user uses 7GB per month... and we expect it to grow.” He stressed Clearwire’s commitment to keeping unlimited data plans. “We really think that it’s a differentiator in the market.”

Salemme said Clearwire is on track to launch 120 million POPs 4G coverage by the end of the year and expects to triple the number of subscribers it had at the end of 2009 before 2010 is over. He outlined Clearwire’s deployment plans, discussed how the company addresses financing issues, and spoke about the upcoming substantial service requirements and the FCC National Broadband Plan.

The Summit will continue tomorrow with special tours of Clearwire 4G lab and DigitalBridge Network Operations Center, followed by a member-only meeting of the WCAI’s Emerging Markets Committee. (Go here for details.)

See you tomorrow!

WCAI Summer Summit: Learn, Network, Prosper!

The WCAI Summer Summit is less than two weeks away and we hope that you are just as excited as we are about all the perks that we filled the two-day program with. The event’s highlights include an FCC workshop on the National Broadband Plan, a keynote address by Clearwire Executive Vice President Gerry Salemme on what it takes to bring 4G to America, a presentation by Motorola Networks CTO Bill Payne on the WiMAX migration paths to 802.16m or TD-LTE, and a discussion of operator best practices for 4G networks. But that’s not all…

Did you ever want to take a peek at how industry leaders in the 4G marketplace run their operations? Well here is your opportunity! WCAI members Clearwire and DigitalBridge will be opening doors of their 4G lab and network operations center for Summit attendees to tour their facilities. Clearwire will also have a 4G-equipped vehicle onsite to demo its mobile network operation. The DigitalBridge tour will feature DBC’s network management systems, test WiMAX systems, and proprietary network optimization technology. Visitors will be able to see best practices in the following areas: WiMAX network operations and management, device interoperability, and network and subscriber optimization techniques.

There will also be plenty of opportunities for social networking, especially during the reception and dinner at the end of the first day of the event.

And the best part is that the Summit registration is absolutely FREE for WCAI members who register by June 25. After that, the rate goes up to $79. Non-members are also welcome at the event for $79.

The Summit will be held on June 30-July 1 at the NRTC Headquarters, 2121 Cooperative Way, Herndon, VA. See you next week!

2010 Prediction: A Mix of WiMAX Smartphones and Low-Cost Devices to Emerge

By Guest Blogger Pascal Deriot, Senior Analyst & Partner, WiMAX & LTE Equipment, Maravedis

In a recent interview, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse commented that not only was its network up and running, but its compelling and cool devices, such as dual-mode 3G/4G smartphones, will make WiMAX a successful adoption. On the same front, Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow explained that the second stage of Clearwire’s business model, targeting the PDA/smartphone market, is to happen in the second half of 2010. Although Yota has proved that smartphones can be a great vehicle to promote the fantastic bandwidth capability of the first 4G technology, we also project that the cost of the WiMAX platform is another angle that needs to be considered.

As previously seen in Wi-Fi or 3GPP/3GPP2 markets, WiMAX chipset vendors have leveraged their first or second generations to further reduce chipset costs by migrating to a smaller geometry process node, and/or by introducing monolithic dies. At the same time, new packaging approaches, such as System-in-Package and optimized Bill Of Material (BOM), have significantly reduced the footprint of the WiMAX platform, allowing device manufacturers to launch a new generation of products that are more appealing, integrated, and that combine 3G and 4G standards.

The new research report released by WCAI member Maravedis in partnership with Reveal Wireless, “WiMAX Wave2 Subscriber Station Chipset Vendors Competitive Analysis” provides a detailed comparison of the key WiMAX chipset vendors, identifying system architectures, estimating chipset and system BOM, and cost of available devices such as CPEs, USB dongles or Express Cards. One of the report’s major findings is that WiMAX mass-market adoption may require sub-US$10 chipsets that are power and performance optimized for each application-specific segment. Maravedis and Reveal Wireless have identified three chipset vendors best positioned to achieve the US$10 price target through base-band and RF monolithic die integration in 65-nm.

Although most of the available chipsets are not highly optimized because they were compelled to cover a broad range of application segments, an additional study revealed that device manufacturers could build a basic WiMAX USB dongle solution for as low as sub US$50, while maintaining healthy profit margins. The figure below presents the breakdown of the cost of the USB dongle: the electronic BOM (eBOM) is composed of all the platform components, excluding the chipset. A basic USB dongle platform can be divided into 3 main sub-systems: base-band, RF and power management sub-systems, bringing the component count to 150-200 components. The rBOM, also called sometimes mBOM, defines the mechanical Bill-Of-Material. It contains the non-electronic components such as connectors, USB plug, antennas, PCB, housing, shielding or screws. Our total manufacturing cost estimation includes the labor cost, profit and SG&A. According to our research the WiMAX chipset, by its complexity and silicon die size, represents 44% of the total cost.

Moreover, our analysis shows that a combination of an aggressive Bill-Of-Material reduction by 20-30%, combined with a second generation chipset and higher production volumes, could further shrink the cost of the USB dongle by roughly 20%, providing a sub-US$40 product in 2010 time-frame.

We believe that WiMAX mass-market adoption requires a ubiquitous coverage and technology maturity, a mixed portfolio of appealing, integrated and low cost devices, and competitive WiMAX chipsets. We have no doubt that all these ingredients will be ready next year contributing to a fantastic growth of the WiMAX market, in all regions.

MARAVEDIS is a leading analyst firm focusing on disruptive technologies including smart networks using WiMAX, IEEE, and 3GPP/LTE. For more information about Maravedis, please visit http://www.maravedis-bwa.com/ or contact info@maravedis-bwa.com.

Clearwire’s Barry West Keynotes WCAI’s International Operator Breakfast at Symposium

Barry West, President, International at WCAI member Clearwire kicked off the WCAI’s International Operator Breakfast as part of the WCAI’s International Symposium at 4G World last week. Organized by the WCAI’s Global Development Committee (GDC), the breakfast brought together wireless broadband service providers from around the world to discuss the future global expansion of 4G and the ways new and emerging technologies will transform our lives going forward. Addressing the operators, Mr. West delivered a spirited talk about WiMAX technology and said he was optimistic the company would be able to raise more money to complete the construction of a national network, according to TR Daily coverage. “I know there’s a lot of speculation about where WiMAX is and will it survive. Is it the Betamax of mobile broadband? I am telling you - we are past the tipping point,” Mr. West said. “Will LTE come along? Of course it will, but it’s not a case of, ‘Will it come along and crush WiMAX?’ WiMAX is here to stay.” Later, he predicted that WiMAX would grab “the lion’s share” of the 4G market.

Sprint Nextel President Keith Cowan to Keynote WCAI Symposium

WCAI recently confirmed Keith Cowan, President, Strategic Planning & Corporate Initiatives, Sprint Nextel Corporation, as a keynote speaker on November 6 at WCAI's Silicon Valley Symposium. Keith is a key player in the negotiations leading to the new Clearwire deal, in which Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks agreed to invest $3.2 billion in company combining Clearwire and Sprint Nextel's XOHM. I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to hear about Keith's views on New Clearwire and Sprint Nextel's future.