LTE Challenge to Mobile WiMAX: 34 commitments from network operators

[Alan J Weissberger]

"In its currently available implementations mobile WiMAX is unable to offer a decisive performance advantage over existing widely deployed HSPA networks. By the time additional spectrum is made available in most countries for broadband wireless deployments the already visible momentum behind LTE will be irresistible. No longer will it be even superficially plausible to make the claim that mobile WiMAX is unique.

Network equipment and terminal device vendors and wireless chipset suppliers trying to allocate finite development resources are inevitably being driven to pursue LTE-related opportunities rather than mobile WiMAX."


http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Cellular/9548.html

Can anyone rebut the claims made in this article? I am especially looking for replies from WiMAX champions like Intel.

Thanks

alan

[Jose Puthenkulam]

The biggest hole in the LTE operator strategy is the lack of harmonization of LTE spectrum based on these committments. Their biggest enabler was harmonization of GSM spectrum into 4 bands. They are even ignoring that lesson in LTE.

Mobile WiMAX has 3 globally harmonized bands: 2.5, 2.3 and 3.5GHz. So it clearly holds the edge here and it will matter big time, because most 2010 Mobile WiMAX devices will be tri-band devices resulting in much more stable growth for WiMAX.

[Alan J Weissberger]

4G World: Motorola’s Brda says LTE won’t kill WiMax
Sep 16, 2009 2:23 PM, By Sarah Reedy

Motorola exec calls for operators to focus on market needs, not technologies, and to let WiMax, LTE co-exist

Operators need to forget the technology dispute and focus on meeting consumers’ new needs, and equipment vendors need to continue to drive devices forward, Bruce Brda, senior vice president and general manager of Motorola’s wireless networks business, told attendees in his keynote speech today.

Motorola, which unveiled its new WiMax and LTE wares before the show last week, along with Samsung and Huawei through their Clearwire WiMax contracts, is one of the few vendors still actively working on WiMax. At the same time, however, the company has put more energy into LTE, developing a portfolio of products – many building on its existing WiMax products – and taking part in active trials in Europe with Vodafone and other operators.

Most carriers today have already chosen their side as well. Although networks haven’t come online yet, LTE has a large base of mobile operator supporters, but WiMax has been endorsed by a diverse group of new entrants to wireless broadband, Brda said. AT&T plans to pursue LTE in 2011, and Verizon is being aggressive in its deployment plans after it spent the last year conducting joint trials of LTE with Vodafone in both the US and Europe.

http://telephonyonline.com/3g4g/news/motorolas-brda-talks-lte-0916/