http://smstextnews.disqus.com/Daily news and opinion for 250,000 industry executives and mobile fanaticsenThu, 22 May 2008 05:33:40 -0000http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/05/uk_operators_worried_about_rumoured_wimax_entrant.html#comment-508908Pah.<br><br>2.6GHz? MNO's afraid? What_is Unstrung_smoking?<br><br>Look at all the problems Muni-Fi has delivering at 2.4GHz (OK, not quite comparable due to max TX power, but there is a correlation). At the time when everyone (apart from the UK) is refarming like crazy to get 3G at sub-1GHz frequencies, people are apparently scared of a 2.6GHz entrant?<br><br> The UK's biggest MNO's had to deploy circa 6-7000 Macro sites to get to around 80-90% population. Other MNO's have deployed fewer, and hence have less coverage. And 3G in-building coverage, on average, is not great. These networks were planned for outdoor service, and now with everyone using dongles inside, on their laps, it's a challenge to serve customers what they expect. <br><br>OK, let's assume a WiMax dongle is available at a similar cost to a 3.5G one (whole different issue there). Fine. And they have a retail partner. OK. Customer buys (maybe online) and goes home to bedsit in suburban Reading. Plugs in. Turns on. Aaaaaaand....<br><br>Somewhere nearby, but not more than about a mile away at 2.6GHz / WiMax-standards licenced TX emission, there needs to be a WiMax basestation. With a mast. And an antenna. And backhaul. And air-conditioning. And a property lease. And a tech in a white van on hand if it breaks. and a level 3 ISP deal. And a licence to operate. And a call centre.<br><br>Now, multiply this by many thousands of times to get even half-arsed mass-market coverage.<br><br>Hope you've got a decent chequebook, because that is a multi-Billion pound, 3-year minimum rollout puppy you've just spec'd.<br><br>Oh, and while you were building that, the 3.5G networks just got bumped to HSPA Evolution, with real bitrates circa 20MBps.<br><br>But of course this won't stop some VC wet-behind-the-ears from pouring half a hedge into the idea. The MNO's likely biggest fear? Bleeding experienced staff to the new entrant.<br><br>/mMike42Thu, 22 May 2008 05:33:40 -0000http://www.smstextnews.com/2008/05/uk_operators_worried_about_rumoured_wimax_entrant.html#comment-508831I'm not sure why they are even bothering to try and delay the auction. I'm sure the government will do a pretty good job of plucking the whole thing up anyway.<br><br>WiMax is the new 'Edge' isn't it? Out of date, before it even arrives......SteveRowlandsThu, 22 May 2008 04:33:22 -0000