Reader asks: Should there be one device for the 700MHZ wireless spectrum?

Convergence & VoIP This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Best Practices for Managing Infrastructure Changes When businesses expand facilities, add locations, or upgrade existing infrastructure it's vital to ensure network readiness. This white paper describes a methodology to manage network changes that meet the needs for speed of implementation without sacrificing accuracy. Click here to download this whitepaper now! Network World's Convergence & VoIP Newsletter, 08/15/07 Reader asks: Should there be one device for the 700MHZ wireless spectrum? By Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick Following last week’s newsletter on the FCC spectrum ruling, a reader named Jeffrey responded with some questions about handset progress. He commented, “Unless there is a mandate to deploy a single technology in the 700MHz space, there will be a requirement for device manufacturers to support a number of disparate technologies; GSM-EDGE/UMTS/CDMA/EV-DO in one device. What about HSDPA/HSUPA and UMB; don't forget WiMAX may be a contender as well.” Jeffrey continued: “So now I have a device supporting any available technology; at what price and at what performance?” Wrapping up, he observed: “If you want "open architecture" then you need a single wireless protocol in the U.S. or devices that support any technology.” Application Acceleration More companies today are taxed with supporting global business processes in real-time. Download this Webcast, Application Acceleration: Merits of Managed Services to learn how managed Web acceleration services might best support this goal. Click here to check it out! In response to Jeffrey’s comments and questions, we turned to William Ho, senior analyst for Wireless Services at Current Analysis, for his expert opinion. He said: “The idea of an agnostic and interoperable technology/protocol to make life easier for us is a laudable one that we've been trying to attain but things like business, technical and political pressures and agendas always seem to win out. We have a chance in the 700MHz spectrum.” Ho added: “True there is GSM and CDMA that divides this country and also the world and each camp can claim their benefits and recite the shortfalls of the other. Here are two quick examples, one is the iPhone. Why GSM? For one, I read it as a business driver. To sell more products, GSM is more ubiquitous globally and Verizon Wireless passed because of business control issues. The second is Sprint's WiMAX technology choice. While there are equally good technologies out there, building an eco-system and the timing of service rollout to meet FCC use compliance for the 2.5GHz spectrum.”    On the issue of a single device, Ho said: “There is move afoot from the chip side to support multiple technologies (e.g., GSM/WCDMA/CDMA2000/EV-DO) on one chip. Indeed, Qualcomm is already proceeding down that path. This multimode concept also extends to a chipset that supports MediaFLO, DVB-H and ISDB-T broadcast technologies.  Ho concluded: “Getting back to 700MHz – will there be a true multi-mode phone that supports all GSM-EDGE/UMTS/CDMA/EV-DO, HSDPA/HSUPA, UMB and WiMAX in one device? Nope. To the victor (of the auction) goes the spoils. It may be the 'open access' technology and whatever the victor runs.” Our thanks both to Jeffery and William Ho for sharing their views.   What do you think? Post a comment on this newsletter

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Contact the author: Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. For more detailed information on most of the topics discussed in this newsletter, connect to Webtorials, the premier site for Web-based educational presentations, white papers, and market research. Taylor can be reached at taylor@webtorials.com Larry Hettick is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in voice and data. He is Vice President for Telecom Services and Infrastructure at Current Analysis, the leading competitive response solutions company. He can be reached at lhettick@currentanalysis.com This newsletter is sponsored by Fluke Networks Best Practices for Managing Infrastructure Changes When businesses expand facilities, add locations, or upgrade existing infrastructure it's vital to ensure network readiness. This white paper describes a methodology to manage network changes that meet the needs for speed of implementation without sacrificing accuracy. Click here to download this whitepaper now! ARCHIVE Archive of the Convergence & VoIP Newsletter. BONUS FEATURE IT PRODUCT RESEARCH AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Get detailed information on thousands of products, conduct side-by-side comparisons and read product test and review results with Network World’s IT Buyer’s Guides. Find the best solution faster than ever with over 100 distinct categories across the security, storage, management, wireless, infrastructure and convergence markets. Click here for details. PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered to your inbox each day. Extend your knowledge with a print subscription to the Network World newsweekly, Apply here today. International subscribers, click here. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES To subscribe or unsubscribe to any Network World newsletter, change your e-mail address or contact us, click here. This message was sent to: networking.world@gmail.com. Please use this address when modifying your subscription. Advertising information: Write to Associate Publisher Online Susan Cardoza Network World, Inc., 118 Turnpike Road, Southborough, MA 01772 Copyright Network World, Inc., 2007