http://www.currentanalysis.com/ Analysis Reports provided by Current Analysis, Inc. en-us All materials Copyright 1997-2010 Current Analysis, Inc. Reproduction or distribution prohibited without express written consent. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:24:16 GMT http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53912&rss In a move to protect revenue growth and provide operators with long-term network assurances, Motorola announced a multi-standard WiMAX and LTE strategy. Unfortunately this solution doesn’t address bigger single RAN opportunities with GSM and CDMA. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-06-22T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53911&rss Airvana might be calling its work with KDDI “voice call routing optimization” and “IP data local breakout,” but the shorthand explanation is “offload.” Broader value would accrue from delivering the functions on WCDMA femtocells too. Jarich, Peter 2010-06-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52307&rss Huawei’s 2009 financial results show that its momentum has yet to slow. A strong wireless infrastructure portfolio helps to drive this growth, but the vendor still faces clear challenges in building operator relations. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-06-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53903&rss While no longer attracting the press coverage it once did, the mesh networking space is still vibrant. Vendors continue to find success augmenting mobile and fixed broadband networks, along with delivering solutions for specific verticals. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-06-16T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53861&rss 2008 was widely hailed as the year femtocell services would finally ramp. Then it was 2009. Now, it’s 2010 and we’re looking at less than a dozen major launches. Is this the last year for femtocells to prove their worth as more than a niche? Jarich, Peter 2010-06-14T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53798&rss Alcatel-Lucent’s LTE base stations benefit from an ability to address multiple deployment scenarios and high-profile operator endorsements. However, that does not negate the vendor’s vulnerability to competitive claims regarding its RAN capacity. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53792&rss Ericsson’s LTE deployment wins speak volumes about the overall competitiveness of its base stations. Despite lagging its competitors in several product metrics, wins at AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and TeliaSonera show it is a competitive product set. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53797&rss Huawei’s three LTE base stations all come with strong capacity performance and MIMO support. However, as the LTE upgrades for two of those base stations have not been commercially released, operators may be skeptical of any performance claims. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53794&rss NSN’s LTE base station, the Flexi Multiradio, benefits from strong capacity claims and NSN’s history of deploying the Flexi platform. Concurrently, the lack of CDMA2000 support or a purpose-built, low-capacity solution hurts market potential. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53791&rss ZTE’s LTE products offer high capacity levels. They also have strong multi-standard support covering GSM, WCDMA, and CDMA2000. However, until LTE capabilities are proven commercially, all performance claims are suspect. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-06-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53722&rss Looking at a performance comparison of the various EPC solutions coming to market, the biggest surprise may not be who has strong solutions, but rather who is not able to share enough information to gauge how they compare. Jarich, Peter 2010-06-01T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53591&rss Motorola continues with its strategy of focusing on 4G opportunities. Positive WiMAX, LTE, and TD-LTE momentum points to early success with this strategy, but limited 3G relationships could make this a long-term challenge for the company. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-05-18T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53577&rss Earlier this month, we documented the broad findings from our time with Huawei at its Global Analyst Conference. Given the importance of wireless networks to Huawei’s business, it’s important to take a deeper look at that side of the company. Jarich, Peter 2010-05-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53569&rss We’ve known for a while that LTE would be the “hot topic” in mobile broadband as 2009 rolled into 2010. Now that it’s finally being deployed, it’s time to ask how vendors are positioning their momentum and what trends are worth watching. Jarich, Peter 2010-05-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53579&rss In wireless, NEC may be best known for its microwave gear and a one-time partnership with Siemens that gave it initial 3G success. Today, it’s attempting to push into LTE with small-cell gear – but is fighting from a difficult position. Jarich, Peter 2010-05-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53556&rss With hundreds of deployments and hundreds of millions of users, CDMA2000 remains a very real and relevant technology. At the same time, LTE has overshadowed CDMA2000, even influencing much of the current activity with the technology. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-05-14T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53371&rss Huawei held its annual Global Analyst Conference towards the end of April in Shenzhen. While the company’s messaging continues to mature, it still managed to surprise with its take on the application market and new strategies in the enterprise. Jarich, Peter - Hunt, Glen 2010-05-03T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53321&rss Nokia Siemens Networks, looking to accelerate the commercial arrival of TD-LTE while strengthening its position with China Mobile, announces the completion of a TD-LTE data call with the help of a Samsung USB modem. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-04-30T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53246&rss ZTE held its sixth annual Global Analyst Conference towards the end of April. While it remedied a lack of focus on solution messaging which dogged it last year, it still needs to back up product and solution claims with mature market proof points. Jarich, Peter - Keith, Erik 2010-04-26T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53224&rss It’s a GSM base station controller. No, it’s a WCDMA radio network controller. Actually, the multi-standard controllers being promised by vendors include the functionality of both. Yet, are they ready for prime time, and how do they stack up? Jarich, Peter 2010-04-23T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53195&rss Looking to jumpstart its TD-LTE momentum, Ericsson announced it will work with Datang to develop and promote the technology. While Ericsson is notably absent from the current Shanghai TD-LTE network, the market opportunity for TD-LTE remains open. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-04-21T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53178&rss The WiMAX Forum’s Open Retail Initiative, in theory, should help drive growth into the overall ecosystem through lower cost devices and other benefits. However this initiative is far from a simple process and its success is not a given. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-04-20T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53171&rss Alvarion now claims over 260 WiMAX networks, a strong WiMAX product portfolio, and increased success with large-scale deployments. However, the company still must struggle with concerns over its finances and the overall health of the WiMAX market. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-04-19T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53101&rss Last month’s femtocell plugfest was widely hailed as a breakthrough event for the industry. At this point, we all know the promise that plugfests hold. Without knowing the results, is there any way to know how much of that promise they deliver? Jarich, Peter 2010-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53108&rss The New WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative brings together a set of big-name WiMAX vendors to support the commercialization of 802.16m solutions. Without a set workplan and some key names missing, lots of work remains. Jarich, Peter 2010-04-13T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53091&rss Juniper is jumping into video with its Ankeena acquisition, bolstering its longer-term competitiveness vs. Alcatel-Lucent and Cisco, although the benefits will not fully be realized until Ankeena’s technology is integrated into Juniper’s routers. Schreiber, Yoav 2010-04-12T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53045&rss For a show that most people felt lacked a unifying theme, femtocells continued to make their presence felt at this spring’s CTIA. The biggest femtocell news, however, was taking place far away from Las Vegas. Jarich, Peter 2010-04-05T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=53014&rss The news coming out of the Spring 2010 CTIA show was little more than a continuation of themes vendors had already established at prior events. A notable exception, however, was a new LTE networks supplier into Metro PCS. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-04-01T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52867&rss Last year, Alcatel-Lucent announced a new EPC solution built on its 7750 Service Router. Now, it has expanded the solution with 2G/3G and new service support. Fighting entrenched players, it must still prove its mettle with commercial references. Jarich, Peter 2010-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52876&rss With the maturation of WiMAX, and the majority of mobile operators lining up behind LTE, the technology’s continued viability has become reliant upon showing market proof points and continued progress. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-03-18T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52864&rss A traditional dependence on CDMA2000 continues to weigh on Alcatel-Lucent. Solid momentum on the WCDMA front and marquee LTE wins, combined with femto mindshare, leave room for optimism. Jarich, Peter 2010-03-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52854&rss If we can agree that the mobile packet core is more important to operators than ever before, we’re still left with some key questions. What do operators need in a 2G/3G or EPC solution in the near-term? What do they need looking beyond that? Jarich, Peter 2010-03-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52852&rss In a market where vendors are scrambling to make the radio access network more and more efficient, the role of the packet core in making new mobile broadband services a success is often overlooked. In reality, it’s more important than ever. Jarich, Peter 2010-03-17T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52836&rss Ericsson does nothing if it isn’t big. Having set its sights on LTE, the vendor has leveraged its very strong 3G position, along with an overall competitive infrastructure solution, to build early 4G momentum. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-03-16T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52846&rss Nokia Siemens Networks remains one of the leading vendors in the wireless infrastructure market, thanks to renewed corporate momentum, recent network wins, and a strong product portfolio led by its Flexi base station family. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-03-16T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52760&rss Without a press release, but only through a confirmation of press reports, Cisco came clean on an exit from the WiMAX RAN – leaving the space just as quietly as it had existed in it. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-03-09T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52710&rss We are always hesitant to declare winners and losers coming out of a trade show such as Mobile World Congress; trade shows don’t have winners and losers, just good messages and bad ones. So, which messages did we find impressive or disappointing? Jarich, Peter 2010-03-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52670&rss LTE may have gotten most of the coverage, but MWC 2010 showed there is plenty of life left in 3G. Performance demonstrations and service quality enhancements all illustrate that vendors see both short and long-term value in the technology. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-02-26T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52795&rss With growing momentum in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, femtocells were destined to be a theme at Mobile World Congress. They were, though expectations around outdoor applications and LTE were not fulfilled, impacting the offload proposition. Jarich, Peter 2010-02-25T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52796&rss The 2010 MWC lacked the 4G technology debates of past. In the aftermath of the first commercial LTE launch, vendors were more focused on rolling out a series of LTE solution firsts – new speed achievements, form factors and product launches. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-02-24T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52656&rss Without the mobile packet core, a shiny new set of LTE base stations will do an operator no good. Matching the hype around LTE radio access, then, were various EPC launches at MWC 2010 – but a lack of focus from some vendors was disappointing. Jarich, Peter 2010-02-24T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52797&rss Without the mobile packet core, a shiny new set of LTE base stations will do an operator no good. Matching the hype around LTE radio access, then, were various EPC launches at MWC 2010 – but a lack of focus from some vendors was disappointing. Jarich, Peter 2010-02-24T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52588&rss Samsung is vulnerable in the wireless infrastructure space. Despite success with WiMAX and femtocells, Samsung has little momentum with the larger opportunities found with CDMA and WCDMA, and continues to be overshadowed by its device business. Schoolar, Daryl 2010-02-17T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52573&rss A lack of RAN assets outside of WiMAX continues to weigh on Cisco’s wireless infrastructure image. Its Starent acquisition and a WiMAX portfolio refresh, however, signal execution on what the company has claimed is a strategic focus. Jarich, Peter - Schoolar, Daryl 2010-02-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52570&rss By splitting into two companies, Motorola is better positioned to gain long-term benefits leveraging synergies in each of its two businesses, but in the short-term, uncertainties may stifle Motorola’s prospects for Mobile World Congress momentum. Schreiber, Yoav 2010-02-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52547&rss Starent’s ST40 is now the Cisco ASR5000. Beyond the new name and new traffic analytics tools, the move makes an important point: Cisco is committed to the service provider mobility space and “ASR” has evolved into a brand extending beyond routers. Jarich, Peter 2010-02-10T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52515&rss Femtocells, WiFi and EPC may seem to be disparate technology topics. Bringing them together is their role in supporting mobile operator profits thanks to traffic offload – making the broader offload topic an important theme at this year’s MWC. Jarich, Peter 2010-02-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52511&rss Thanks to a combination of strong product performance and its market legacy, Alcatel-Lucent maintains its CDMA2000 product leadership. Of course, strong offers from Huawei and ZTE will make it increasingly difficult to stay at the top of the game. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52504&rss Ericsson’s CDMA RAN portfolio remains vulnerable to the competition thanks to product shortcomings and long-term product plan uncertainty. Despite the portfolio’s recent history, a strong commitment from Ericsson could make it more competitive. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52505&rss With strong product performance and a multi-standard base station strategy, Huawei remains threatening to CDMA infrastructure providers. Still, portfolio limitations regarding the breadth of base station models and poor RF power may cause concern. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52510&rss Motorola’s CDMA2000 portfolio suffers from low sector-carrier capacity and weak space efficiency, resulting in what can only be called a vulnerable position. Continued rumors regarding the company’s future only compound its troubles. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52507&rss Strong product performance, combined with a very public commitment to the technology, continues to keep ZTE near the top of the CDMA2000 space. Product shortcomings, such as RF power output, could leave the vendor missing on some opportunities. Schoolar, Daryl - Jarich, Peter 2010-02-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52466&rss We’ve long wanted ip.access to extend femto-type deployment supports to its nanoGSM product. Doing so has just made its market-leading picocell more competitive, and set the stage for more discussions around SON in the macro network. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-28T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52404&rss Despite the limited number of claimed product upgrades in the recent past, there is no denying the importance of the mobile packet core in CDMA networks. Furthermore, there is no denying the continued dominance of Cisco’s Starent in this market. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-20T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52375&rss As its name implies, the first major trade show of the year – CES – is focused on consumer electronics. This year, it saw a good number of infrastructure players make news, highlighting the market’s commitment to LTE and a new femtocell model. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-14T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52357&rss Alcatel-Lucent has done an admirable job of growing its WCDMA momentum. It has moved to better message its multi-standard RAN strategy and LTE expertise. Still, momentum trails competitors and an unclear position on converged controllers hurts it. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52356&rss Ericsson may be the undisputed leader of 2G and 3G network builds, but it’s clear to see that some of its 3GPP RAN products are getting dated. Luckily, new ones are coming out to give the vendor a claim to competitive capacity. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52355&rss Huawei doesn’t enjoy the storied GSM/WCDMA history of Ericsson, NSN or Alcatel-Lucent. It has, however, come out early with a focus on multi-standard solutions and new controllers. Combined with solid momentum, the result is a strong position. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52354&rss A single, multi-standard base station has been a hallmark of NSN’s radio access strategy for years, giving it a leg up on competitors who just recently jumped on the multi-standard bandwagon. How this impacts LTE momentum, however, is unclear. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-13T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52358&rss Huawei is spending $500 million on its R&D and manufacturing in India, in part to bulk up its local image and fight stiff import tariffs. The move is clearly necessary to build momentum abroad, but will other investments follow? Jarich, Peter 2010-01-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52350&rss The Bell Labs organized Green Touch Initiative launched with a goal of improving telecom network energy efficiency a thousand-fold. How it will achieve this and what the world will look like when the group’s plans are complete is anyone’s guess. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-11T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52321&rss What lies ahead for wireless in 2010? Like 2009, it should be a year filled with LTE, HSPA+, femtocells and mobile core marketing. At the same time, it should be a year for continued consolidation and attempts at LTE differentiation. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52320&rss The 3GPP packet core is more important than ever with the success of HSPA and the coming of LTE. Now available, NSN’s SGSN/GGSN solution does well, as does Huawei, with Ericsson needing a capacity boost and Starent still growing its references. Jarich, Peter 2010-01-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52300&rss LTE was big news this year. It will continue to be big news next year. Closing out 2009, it’s important to ask where the market stands, what has been accomplished to date and what operators will want to look for in solutions going forward. Jarich, Peter - Schoolar, Daryl 2009-12-23T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52142&rss Where 2007 and 2008 were first positioned as the breakthrough years for femtocells, 2009 may seem like a disappointment. To be sure, there is no shortage of obstacles to convince users to buy in-home base station services – but can be overcome. Jarich, Peter 2009-12-03T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52061&rss Motorola’s new frame-based eNodeB helps to deliver the siting options operators demand. In reality, however, it’s not actually a new base station and the announcement, unfortunately, ignores Motorola’s multi-standard capabilities. Jarich, Peter 2009-11-25T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52000&rss Motorola has yet to comment on rumors that it’s investigating a sale of its Home and Networks Mobility business. Yet, where a long-term split-off of its phone business has long been a goal, the rumors, if true, hurt the unit’s near-term prospects. Schreiber, Yoav 2009-11-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=52001&rss Enterprise and high-capacity femtocells remain a hot topic for vendors and operators. Given limited momentum in the consumer space, this isn’t surprising. A bigger driver is the future of mobile broadband and small cell 4G network architectures. Jarich, Peter 2009-11-12T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51895&rss Few markets can match the mobile broadband usage of South Korea. To this end, few operators have launched four carriers of WCDMA–making KT’s work on this front a feather in ALU’s cap, had the company linked it to its current WCDMA product offer. Jarich, Peter 2009-11-06T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51890&rss Faced with continuing losses, NSN’s planned “return to growth” required a change at the German-Finnish JV. Cost cuts and a new organization are a good start, but limited details make it impossible to know if they can deliver success. Jarich, Peter 2009-11-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51888&rss With the introduction of the One Voice initiative and a supporting technical profile for voice over IMS in LTE networks, that sound you hear is the wind going out of the argument that LTE is a data-only specification. McGarvey, Joe 2009-11-05T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51879&rss After an H1N1-induced delay this spring, NSN held its Global Analyst conference last week. Where the company’s planned transformation into a software and services company was a front-and-center message, its networks messaging suffered. Jarich, Peter 2009-11-04T00:00:00-05:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51818&rss NEC announces it has been selected as one of six infrastructure vendors participating in Telefonica’s LTE trial. Turning that trial into a win could make NEC a more significant global player in the wireless infrastructure market. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-10-28T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51821&rss Nokia Siemens Networks continues to strengthen its LTE product differentiation based on demonstrations using commercially available equipment. However the value of market “firsts” has diminished as they become more common. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-10-28T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51794&rss After Cisco’s proposed acquisition of Starent, WiChorus stands alone as a mobile packet core specialist. Picking up the company signals Tellabs’ commitment to wireless innovation and growth – even if solution development was not well highlighted. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-23T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51782&rss The 3GPP family of mobile technologies remains strong, and it looks to get stronger with the deployment of LTE. However, it still needs to address critical questions such as the role of HSPA+, TD-LTE, and voice over LTE. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-10-22T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51786&rss For the past few years, the CDMA market has been writing off as dead or dying despite delivering solid mobile broadband services. New CDMA enhancements, of course, are in the works, but with a focus on LTE, it’s unclear how they’ll materialize. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-22T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51757&rss AT&T’s decision to prioritize LTE over HSPA+ contrasts quite visibly against T-Mobile’s aggressive 21 Mbps upgrade plans. Whatever the rationale behind the strategies, it is worth asking which one makes the most sense in the near term. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-20T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51721&rss Starent spent its life railing against Cisco’s packet core strategy. Now, Cisco is acquiring the gateway player. Conflicts aside, the move signals Cisco’s commitment to mobile broadband and a potential willingness to move beyond routers. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-14T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51720&rss The Femto Forum rallied its members behind the Iuh standard in record time. Agreement on a standard, however, means nothing without widespread implementation and conformance. Thus, plans for next year’s plugfests were born. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-14T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51699&rss Tellabs announced NMS tools that are designed to enhance its 8800 INM solution’s ability to provide visibility across an array of disparate network elements. However, features still on the docket might determine the solution’s ultimate value. Marcheck, Jason 2009-10-09T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51685&rss The WiMAX Forum’s been fairly silent on the topic of 802.16m, understandably wanting operators and vendors to focus on the presently deployable 802.16e. A commitment to the technology, then, suggests a path forward – but not for all WiMAX players. Jarich, Peter 2009-10-08T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51594&rss It’s unclear that LTE will leverage femtocells. It’s less clear that there will be a market for TD-LTE outside China. Regardless, supporting China Mobile’s TD-LTE femtocell interest is good business, and a good way to put TD-LTE R&D on display. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-23T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51593&rss Huawei’s claims of 56 Mbps HSPA+ aren’t an amazing technological breakthrough – they’re simply a new combination of MIMO and multiple carriers. They are a big deal, however, for Huawei’s messaging and operators looking to avoid 64QAM. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-23T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51588&rss The 4G World Show lived up to its name, being squarely focused on LTE and WiMAX, while still acknowledging 3G’s role. Vendors highlighted new products and customer deployments, and explained their views on how LTE and WiMAX will coexist. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-09-22T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51550&rss An LTE demonstration with commercial hardware and standards-based software should help signal NSN’s capabilities as a credible LTE vendor with a proven, market-tested LTE platform. It’s unclear how well the demo will set it apart from competitors. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51546&rss Less than nine months since starting the process, the VoLGA Forum has completed and published its specifications for voice and SMS services over LTE. Despite a strong roster or vendor supporters, limited operator support remains a liability. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-18T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51518&rss AT&T’s Domain Supplier announcement was long-expected, though not completely novel. It does, however, hold out the promise of a major-league endorsement and solid revenues for the vendors chosen – if they can live up to the operator’s demands. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-14T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51508&rss PureWave Networks formally announces its entrance into the WiMAX market. While company does provide a compelling base station, the announcement does not create the splash needed by a vendor entering the WiMAX market at this late stage. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-09-11T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51499&rss Broadcast over 3G has long been touted as an efficient way to leverage existing networks to deliver popular multimedia or data content. If a lack of agreement on standards held the market back, GSMA endorsement of IMB should move it forward. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-10T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51465&rss A win at Clearwire gives WiChorus a marquee customer to argue its capabilities – capabilities allowing it to compete with vendors such as Cisco, Huawei, Samsung and Motorola. A single win, however, cannot turn a startup into an established player. Jarich, Peter 2009-09-04T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51377&rss Alcatel-Lucent takes an important step in its LTE development with FCC certification of its base station. Alcatel-Lucent has a market first with this certification, and can now ship its base station for commercial deployment in the U.S. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51369&rss For the past few years, we have been integrating more and more mobile core coverage into our Carrier Infrastructure and Wireless Infrastructure practices. As the core becomes increasingly important, a tighter focus on the core is warranted. Jarich, Peter 2009-08-25T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51268&rss HSL joined the Femto Forum. It built a femtocell and core network solutions. Now, it’s introducing a picocell. Beyond the fact that it’s still a relatively unknown entity, it’s unclear how the picocell sets itself apart to compete with ip.access. Jarich, Peter 2009-08-12T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51264&rss With a growing reputation in WiMAX, Clearwire solidifies Huawei’s market position by naming it as an infrastructure vendor. Of course, with NSN’s departure from WiMAX and ALU’s focus on fixed-portable applications, Huawei was a natural fit. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-08-11T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51261&rss China Mobile has made TD-LTE a strategic imperative. It’s natural, then, that Motorola would tout its TD-LTE commercialization momentum and commitment to the technology. Without TD-SCDMA or LTE momentum, it’s unclear what this means to the vendor. Jarich, Peter - Schoolar, Daryl 2009-08-10T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51248&rss Orange UK has introduced Early Bird, a mobile broadband tariff that allows unlimited usage between midnight and 9am. The service is likely to attract students, commuters, and heavy users who consumer vast amounts of mobile data already. Tudor, Ben 2009-08-07T00:00:00-04:00 http://www.currentanalysis.com/COMPETE/FrontEnd/Report.aspx?rid=51242&rss With a WCDMA track record that trails rivals, ZTE needs to paint itself as a technology leader and innovator. Successful MIMO-based HSPA+ IOT testing does just that, signaling a commitment to technology innovation in the process. Schoolar, Daryl 2009-08-06T00:00:00-04:00