AT&T, Verizon Wireless Underwhelming Plans for 700MHz Spectrum

Posted on April 4th, 2008 in Weissberger, wireless by Alan Weissberger

Last night, winners of the "beachfront property" FCC 700MHz auction were finally permitted to reveal their plans for using the spectrum obtained.  AT&T and Verizon won most of the licenses, spending a combined $16 billion.  As anticipated, the wireless giants aim to build faster wireless broadband networks capable of delivering high-speed data, voice, video and other services.  But those 4G networks won’t be available for at least three years! 

And now for the hype: "This is all about fourth-generation growth," said Verizon spokesman Jim Gerace, referring to the next phase of cellphone technology based on faster networks and more sophisticated devices.

Some of the spectrum Verizon acquired is required to be open to all applications and devices. An open platform will draw application developers to Verizon’s service, which will make it more popular with customers, Mr. Gerace said. Verizon Wireless, jointly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, shelled out $9.4 billion on licenses.

Rival AT&T, meanwhile, said that its newly acquired spectrum will allow it to beef up the quality of its current services as well as transition to faster, more advanced wireless broadband services.   

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120728418087789277.html?mod=rss_whats_news_technology

Opinion:  We are very disappointed with the auction results:  No new nationwide wireless network, no new network providers, public safety left out in the cold, and uncertainty on what Dish Network Inc will do with the spectrum they won.   Let’s focus on the failure of the D block auction, with public safety the big loser.

When I was interviewed for a MacNeil-Lehrer Newshour article on the 700MHz auction, I tried to emphasize that the failure of the D Block auction (to attract a minimum bid) was a disaster for public safety. Unfortunately, the writer did not include that info in the article. Here’s the quote and url:

"No one knows what the other players are going to do, because this spectrum doesn’t dictate what wireless technology you use," said Alan J. Weissberger, a Silicon Valley telecommunications consultant with DCT Advisors.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/science/jan-june08/spectrum_03-28.html

We have previously written about the Fading Hopes for Muni Wireless networks as well as the failure of the 700MHz D Block (public-private partnership) FCC auction. When you combine these two, one realizes that public safety networks have been left in a frozen state, with no opportunity to upgrade to a more efficient, interoperable network architecture.

To recap: Public safety organizations were a big loser in the FCC auction, as the minimum bid for the D block was not achieved. That combined with the failure of Muni Wireless networks to gain market traction nixes any upgrade plans for public safety wireless nets. Many failed muni WiFi networks, like Wireless Silicon Valley, were intended to provide interoperability amongst public safety organizations (police, fire, municipal govts, etc) which currently run their own private networks, often on different frequencies.viodi.com/2008/03/23/hope-fading-for-muni-wireless-networks-is-wimax-the-answer/

So the failure of the D block auction looms large for public safety organizations. Without public private partnerships for the D block or muni wireless networks serving them, public safety is left with many non- compatible, non- interconnected wireless networks.

 
Interoperability between public safety organizations are needed at times of regional disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and the huge bridge collapse in Minnesota.  There are many instances in which joining the disparate public safety networks could save lives of first responders. 
 
We conclude that public safety networks will continue to be a hodge podge of proprietary and non-interconnected offerings unless a white knight appears that will re-initiate public private muni wireless networks.   Could Google be that white knight?  We don’t think so.

 

Popularity: 82% [?]

3 Comments

Kudos to Alan Weissberger

Posted on March 28th, 2008 in People on the Move by Ken Pyle

I have always appreciated Alan Weissberger’s ability to analyze and write about complex technical challenges. He is never afraid to take a strong view on a topic. A former FCC Commissioner commented on one of his articles by stating, “Your articles were right on target and I very much enjoyed them.” 

Further, Weissberger is quoted in the 3/28 issue of the Online NewsHour by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. 

"No one knows what the other players are going to do, because this spectrum doesn’t dictate what wireless technology you use," said Alan J. Weissberger, a Silicon Valley telecommunications consultant with DCT Advisors.

Thank you Alan for your contributions to the Viodi View and congratulations.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Comment?

Wireless Telecom in Transition - Moto and Nortel may combine Wireless Infrastructure Units while Alcatel forms partnership with NEC for LTE

Posted on February 13th, 2008 in Weissberger, wireless by Alan Weissberger

[editor's note:  To engage Alan Weissberger for consulting services, contact him at alan at viodi dot com]

If implemented, the merger of Motorola’s and Nortel’s wireless infrastructure businesses would result in the creation of a $10 billion revenue company that would be better positioned to jostle for market share in a fast-consolidating industry.  Both companies have invested in WiMAX technology and have different product lines.

The wireless infrastructure industry is now dominated by a few large equipment makers including Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, and Nokia-Siemens Networks, a venture of Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG.  Motorola and Nortel are trying to play catch up with those vendors and fend off competition from Chinese equipment vendors Huaweii and ZTE.

Pressures have increased as carriers in the U.S. and Europe slow their spending on network equipment while they wait for the next generation of technology that can handle the high-speed data necessary for richer Internet and video features on cellphones. At the same time, new entrants from China are putting downward pressure on prices.   

In a sign of how equipment makers are suffering, Alcatel-Lucent on Friday reported a $3.7 billion loss after taking a big charge to write off the value of one of the main businesses acquired in the 2006 Lucent merger.

At the Barcelona Mobile Broadband conference, Moto and Intel announced they are investing in WiMAX start-up companies.

Meanwhile, Alcatel-Lucent announced it is setting up a joint venture with Japan-based NEC Corp. to pool research-and-development resources to develop a competing  mobile-broadband technology known as long-term evolution, or LTE. 

Major U.S. carriers including AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of U.S.-based Verizon Communications Inc. and United Kingdom-based Vodafone Group PLC, are choosing LTE over other advanced broadband technologies such as WiMax. The LTE technology is being developed by leading equipment makers including Telefon AB L.M. Ericsson, Nortel Networks Corp. and Nokia Siemens Networks, a joint venture between Nokia Corp. and Siemens AG.

Is this something good or bad for the telecom industry?  What is the impact on the WiMAX food chain as Moto and Nortel consolidate their product lines?  Will Alcatel-Lucent now abandon WiMAX as LTE appears to be gaining momentum?

Here are a few links that provide opinions and analysis:

Financial Post Reports: Obstacles ahead for Nortel, Motorola
 
Reuters take on Moto Nortel combining units:
 
WSJ:  Big Wireless Gear Deal May Loom
 
Moto and Intel announce WiMAX investments at Barcelona conference:

Alcatel Sets Advanced Broadband Venture

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120283999690762781.html?mod=technology_main_whats_news

Popularity: 39% [?]

Comment?

Juniper CEO Scott Kriens Thoughts on Leadership and Corporate Culture Transformation

Posted on January 21st, 2008 in Viodi View, Weissberger by Alan Weissberger
By Alan J. Weissberger, contact alan at viodi.com for information on his telecom consulting services.
 
On Jan 8, 2008, I was privileged to hear Scott Kriens talk at the SCU Business School (I was a Professor in SCU EE Dept for many years).  Here are the key points of his talk:
 
Juniper has grown to a $3B revenue company, with a presence in over 100 countries
 
Scott recognized that he could not add value himself to such a large, growing company.  Therefore, he decided to teach leadership skills to others. First step, was to reflect on what really matters.  He asked the audience to write down answers to 3 questions:
 
1.  Who are you?
2.  Why are you here?
3.  What do you want (out of life, career, etc)?
 
Scott said that one needs thoughtful answers to these questions before a career plan can be created.  He remarked that only 12% of people have a career plan.  However, of those who have one, 75% say they have achieved their career goals and objectives.
 
There are 4 steps to creation of a sustainable, purposeful business environment:
 
1.  Self awareness- know what you believe and why
2.  Authenticity- be genuine
3.  Trust- in those you work with+
4.  Inspiration- share vision or purpose with those that trust you
 
+ Trust:  Letting others know your feelings, emotions and reactions, and having the confidence in them to respect you and to not take advantage of you. Sharing your inner feelings and thoughts with others with the belief that they will not spread them indiscriminately.   Trust has economic value, according to Kriens.  In a trusted environment, generative things happen, e.g. accepting constructive feedback/ criticism.  You make decisions quicker and better in such a "community " setting.
 
After going through several self reflection exercises, Juniper created the following mission statement:
 
"Build a multi-generation community that empowers people to do the impossible."
 
AW Comment:  Wow, that is a huge objective!
 
Juniper’s highest priority is the success of its employees.  This is now the main purpose of the company. 
 
Juniper wants to engage its people in a trusted envirnoment, so that they think of what’s important to them.  Each member must support the community.  As a result, Juniper employees are making "high quality agreements" on what it takes for them and the company to be successful.
 
Scott offered a 3 pronged approach to realizing his company’s vision:
 
1.  Need something higher order than a project or product.  [I assumed this to be a trusted, community envirnoment.]
2.  Evolution of a company to a community (whre you do things in support of one another and as a result, create things you could not accomplish on your own.
3.  Boundaries of our abilities are self imposed.  [assumed this to be related to the mission statement: "doing the impossible."]
 
Juniper is now monitoring the tangible results of this internal company transformation.  It seems to be working, according to Scott.  This was backed up by a recent Gartner Group Research report: Juniper Networks Positioned in Leaders Quadrant of Leading Analyst Firm’s WAN Optimization Controllers Magic Quadrant- Company Evaluated on Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision
 
Gartner evaluated vendors according to a strict set of criteria focused on the company’s ability to execute and completeness of vision in the WAN optimization market.
 
According to Gartner, "This Magic Quadrant reviews vendors that address the common need to make more efficient and effective use of wide-area connections, regardless of the type of traffic or application." In the report, Gartner states, "Leaders exhibit an ability to shape the market by introducing additional capabilities in their product offerings and by raising awareness of the importance of these features. We expect a Leader to be growing the market as a whole, and to have solutions that resonate with an increasing number of enterprises. Leaders in the WOC market need to have a broad feature set, including QOS, generic compression, protocol acceleration and file system acceleration, with the majority of features proven in substantial real-world implementations. They also need to be able to offer sales and support on a global basis."
 
For more, please see:

Popularity: 27% [?]

2 Comments