L@Net Summit Highlights the Second Day of WCAI International Symposium @ 4G World

Welcome to the second day of the WCAI International Symposium @ 4G World!

Today is all about our international members, as we are zeroing in on one of the fastest-growing wireless broadband markets in the world, Latin America. Whether you are a local operator in search of financing for your future deployments, or an international vendor looking to establish your presence in this promising land, the L@Net Summit is the place to be.

During the Summit, we will look at the current regulatory environment in the 2.5 GHz, 3.5 GHz and other major 4G bands in Latin America and provide an update on the upcoming spectrum auctions for the next-generation technology. We will also highlight some of the available options for financing 4G network deployments and examine alternative funding opportunities in the region.

The day will wrap up with the WCAI's Annual Networking Dinner that will feature an operator discussion on building a business case for WiMAX and LTE in the TDD spectrum. Participating in the discussion will be executives from leading internatioal and U.S. operators, including China Mobile, Enforta (Russia) and DigitalBridge Communications.

See you at the L@Net Summit!

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.”

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!

WCAI Honors Jim Schlichting, Lee Sparkman, Kelley Dunne at Symposium

WCAI honored three industry visionaries with its annual awards at the Wireless Operator Dinner Sept. 15 held as part of the WCAI’s Annual International Symposium at 4G World. Jim Schlichting, Senior Deputy Chief of the FCC’s Wireless Bureau, was presented with the Government Leadership Award; Lee Sparkman, President of Enforta (Russia) with the Industry Service Award; and Kelley Dunne, CEO of DigitalBridge, with the Innovation Achievement Award. “We at WCAI are delighted to recognize the achievements of Jim Schlichting, Lee Sparkman and Kelley Dunne,” said WCAI President & CEO Fred Campbell. “Throughout their distinguished careers, they contributed to the growth and prosperity of the wireless broadband industry. On behalf of the WCAI, I want to thank them for their hard work and congratulate on winning the WCAI’s annual awards.”