More technologies, more battlegrounds: HSPA lays over WiMAX, LTE arena: M2Z wants to use WiMAX protocol

CHICAGO – The gloves are off as vendors and wireless providers side on different advanced generation technologies. The first and obvious battle at yesterday’s 4G Executive Summit was between WiMAX and LTE, which Hank Kafka, network architect for AT&T Mobility Inc., made clear in his pro-LTE keynote. But during the opening session, Berge Ayvazian, conference co-chair and chief strategy officer for the Yankee Group, said the real battle might be LTE vs. HSPA.
“On the LTE side, we know the other opportunity may be extending the life of 3G,” he said.
This issue became a main focus during the Yankee Group’s opening statements. Many carriers are just finishing or are still in the process of rolling out their 3G networks, so the idea of completely re-investing and re-launching a new technology might seem risky. Some operators may choose to extend and better the life of 3G, while some may choose to put all of their eggs in the LTE basket. And as this new, internal battle begins, a more familiar one resurfaces.
The war isn’t over.
Later on Tuesday morning, John B. Muleta, CEO of M2Z Networks, delivered a keynote highlighting the business practices of his company and provided an update on one of its battles. For some time, M2Z has been after the AWS-3 spectrum. Muleta said M2Z Networks hopes to use this spectrum to offer broadband services, for free, in the United States., with the hopes of implementing WiMAX as one of its broadband offerings. This request was brought to the Federal Communications Commission two-and-a-half years ago. Today, Muleta said, a decision seems to be moving at a glacial pace.
“The wheels of government are grinding slowly,” he said.
So what’s the hold up? T-Mobile USA Inc. and AT&T Mobility, which fear interference to their AWS-1 spectrum assets, according to Muleta.
Then Federal Communications Commission decided to auction the spectrum. “[That’s when] all hell broke loose,” Muleta said.
T-Mobile USA and AT&T Mobility quickly opposed the auction and requested testing. And as of Monday, Muleta said, T-Mobile USA said even more testing needs to be done, delaying the AWS-3 decision even more.
“This is high-jacking the regulatory process,” Muleta, an FCC alum, said. “The FCC ought to make a call and make it quick.”
Should M2Z networks win the spectrum it’s after, Muleta said the goal is to work with equipment suppliers and other carriers to offer the free broadband to customers, which could scare some existing operators.
“They [carriers] see UMTS and HSPA as evolutionary paths, but no one wants to change the pricing model,” he said. “They’re all about creeping forward because they’re scared of backhaul. We believe [changing prices] is how you succeed.”
Nonetheless, the battle rages on. With no decision and no real advocates, Muleta said new competition is bound to show up and it’s bound to get uglier.
“In regulatory space, if you want to have a friend, get a dog,” Muleta said.