One of Electronics Weekly’s readers replies to our recent article on Sprint and WiMAX.
No matter what these cell carriers and their vendors are telling everyone, the UMTS and future HSDPA network have the capacity to deliver 2Mbit/s but in the real world do not expect more then 768Kbit/s (which is good) with an occasional burst to 1.5Mbit/s if lucky.
EV-DO/CDMA based networks have more of a problem than GSM networks due to the lack of real space (spectrum use) for expanding their data play. Demands for symmetrical service by the consumer, not to mention their lust for big bandwidth (P2P, gaming and video down and uploads), which will follow them from home in portable and mobile modes, will eventually have a major impact on these cell networks data services. That is one reason why Verizon Wireless will spend billions on the new 700Mhz spectrum in this [US] country. They need the bandwidth/capacity if they are to survive the WiMAX and mesh net deployments in major markets.
Now, when the new LTE systems come on board in 2010 they may have something to sell, but until then they are limited. Other issues concern the big carriers. WiFi & WiMAX enabled VoiceIP service will ultimately have major impact on their voice services.
WiMAX in its present configuration, where it depends on the 2.5Ghz spectrum will stumble out of the block trying to provide universal coverage, especially in its mobile form. Initial WiMAX fixed services (with line of site to customers) will offer providers a means of capturing T-1 business (as TowerStream is doing).
However, come 2009/2010, if the partnership between Google and Sprint pans out and they win a nationwide slice of the 700Mhz spectrum they will upgrade their 2.5Ghz WiMAX network to 700Mhz and begin to dominate the broadband wireless business. This to include many DSL, cable modem and most cell carriers data networks.
Watch this auction, it will be spectacular as the big deep pocket firms beat each other up and the US Congress will smile.
FTTH will be the only viable wired network standing come 2015, with Gig to each premises and 100Gbit/s backbones.
The rest of the market will be wireless with a combination of carrier grade outdoor/in wireless mesh network (supported by Fibre gateways and new 802.11n radios), 700Mhz based WiMAX and special PTP wireless networks delivering 1Gbit/s for backhaul. Mobile TV will come in over the MediaFlo type (700Mhz) wireless networks as well.
Intel will ultimately deploy only 2 radio types in its Centrino line with both 802.11n (dual 2.4 & 5Ghz) for Access and WiMAX (700Mhz) and will become ubiquitous in laptops and PDA/smartphones.