While many in the wireless industry consider Sprint Nextel Corp’s decision to build a WiMAX network the technology’s defining and legitimizing moment, vendors that have been developing 802.16-2005-compliant WiMAX products are just beginning to feel the glow of the industry’s spotlight.
During the WiMAX World USA trade show in Boston Oct. 10-12, several vendors are taking the stage to debut their WiMAX offerings.
Fujitsu
Fujitsu Network Communications and Fujitsu Microelectronics America Inc. are launching their WiMAX product line, which includes two models of base stations—the WM100 line of outdoor RF and baseband units and the WM200 RF and baseband units, which are designed for both indoor and outdoor use.
“WiMAX is a pretty big deal for us,” said Jim Orr, principal network architect at Fujitsu’s Network Communications. Orr told RCR Wireless News that Fujitsu is intently focused on the U.S. WiMAX market and said the company intends to drive 4G technology.
Fujitsu’s products are expected to be certified by the WiMAX Forum next year and products should start shipping soon afterward.
Stella Doradus
Irish base-station antenna manufacturer Stella Doradus is showing off its new Netamorphic mobile WiMAX antenna, a solid state remote electrical tilt antenna that the company says constantly monitors RF and environmental conditions from a centrally controlled network operations center and adapts appropriately to ensure optimal network performance.
Justin Collery, vice president of sales and marketing at Stella Doradus, explained that the company spent about a year developing the antenna and expects sales to take off between now and the end of the year.
“For WiMAX to become a reality, operators need a cost-effective infrastructure build plan,” said Stella’s chief executive, James Brown. “A typical urban city will need about 1,000 base stations to adequately cover the area. By eliminating the need for tower climbs, the Stella Netamorphic Antenna can save operators approximately $5 million for every 500 base stations they add to their network, which quickly adds up to hundreds of millions in savings if the operator is planning a nationwide presence.”
Sequans
Sequans Communications unveiled its mobile WiMAX chip, SQN1110. Sequans said its new chip draws a mere 350mW of power and delivers throughput speeds of more than 10 megabits per second.
