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Contents Cisco Launches CSG2 for a Web 2.0 World| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 8, 2007 – Cisco Systems announced the Content Services Gateway 2nd Generation (CSG2) – an upgrade to the CSG. Built on a next-gen Cisco 7600 line card, the CSG2 promises capacity and session upgrades for applications including mobile content examination, access control and application-away billing. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on Cisco’s new Content Services Gateway 2nd Generation (CSG2). Built on a next-gen Cisco 7600 line card, the CSG2 promises a boost in CSG session capacity, in line with new mobile traffic. A lack of customer references or service examples limits the announcement’s punch. • Vendor Importance: High to Cisco, because the CSG2 addresses threats from service adoption and from competitors. Robust service adoption will require the CSG2’s capacity boost. Competing platform session start-up rates (Starent) do too. • Market Impact: Moderate on the packet data gateway market, because Cisco has yet to secure its role as a PDSN/GGSN heavyweight, limiting the exposure the CSG2 can expect. Lacking a broader charging/billing solution, Cisco will continue to face obstacles. Yet, as an improvement on the CSG, it significantly improves the vendor’s solution. Nortel Talks Up 4G Lifestyle – As Expected| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 8, 2007 – Nortel announced it will demo WiMAX as well as LTE systems at 3GSM, claming a first with end-to-end MIMO-based WiMAX and uplink collaborative MIMO in LTE. Both demos will include LGE devices. WiMAX demos will include clients from Kyocera, ZyXEL and Intel. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Nortel’s “4G” demonstrations at 3GSM. LTE and WiMAX are hot topics. Demos – with a WiMAX ecosystem including LGE are in line with Nortel’s strategic goals – and market interests. Claims of “industry firsts” are weak, but 2G to 4G evolution talk is intriguing. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Nortel, because the company has given up on WCDMA and can point to limited GSM traction. Outside CDMA, the company has placed its bets on LTE and WiMAX; demos argue that it’s executing – and may help people forget about recent restructuring. • Market Impact: Low on the wireless infrastructure market, because Nortel has not been quiet about its LTE and WiMAX ambitions and demos, alone, do nothing to position it as a leader. Yet, competitors will want to follow efforts at taking operators from 2G to 4G, particularly for emerging markets. Ericsson Fuels Cells with Food – Works with GSMA on Biofuel| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 8, 2007 – Ericsson announced work with the GSMA and Indian operator Idea Cellular to test the feasibility of biofuels to power mobile base stations. Phase one focuses on non-edible fuels (cotton, jatropha). A second phase will set up a supply chain using locally grown crops. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Ericsson work with Idea and the GSMA on biofuel-powered cellular networks. The work will not revolutionize networks worldwide. Yet it’s a smart, eco-friendly way to support emerging markets, markets which will continue to drive network growth. • Vendor Importance: Low to Ericsson, because biofuels are only one component (powering) of one segment (emerging markets) or its larger business. Yet, with competitors like Huawei, emerging market deals are getting competitive and any edge is important. • Market Impact: Moderate on the wireless infrastructure market, because alternate fueling options are unlikely to drive Ericsson’s emerging market wireless business. They do make it more competitive, however, and, if successful, competitors will want to follow suit. Speakanet’s GoHello Service Takes the PBX Out of the SMB Office| Analyst: Mayur Sahni | Enterprise Mobility - Europe | Announcement Summary
February 7, 2007 -- Speakanet unveiled its on-demand voice service, GoHello, which is a ‘100% mobile,’ business telephony carrier service for the SMB and SOHO market. With an attractive proposition of having all PBX functionalities using a PC and a mobile phone, but without the PBX itself, the GoHello platform is attractively priced at EUR 3.99 per user, per month. Currently, the GoHello service is available only in Denmark, but Speakanet plans to extend this to other European countries. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Neutral on Speakanet’s GoHello proposition, because although the service is innovative and attractively priced, with user-friendly and flexible management features, it is still a service available in only one market: Denmark. In addition, the GoHello service is targeted at those SMBs that do not have the budget to invest in PBX systems, or those SMBs that have invested in the infrastructure but have found it difficult to manage. Therefore, GoHello is competing with the SMB portfolios of competitors such as Cisco, Avaya, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and so forth, and this will be a difficult concept sale for the company. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Speakanet, particularly in the SMB market, because the GoHello service is innovative, simple to use, well-priced and in-many ways a ‘disruptive service’ for the PBX vendors. Speakanet’s strategy is to partner with mobile operators and offer a PBX functionality service without having the actual equipment. With three pending patents for the technology behind GoHello, the company is well on its path with new investment funding for expansion into new country markets. • Market Impact: Low on the European voice services and fixed-mobile convergence market in the short-term, because the GoHello service is currently available only in Denmark and it has yet to enter the major markets of the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France and so forth. In addition, though the service is as innovative as it sounds, partnering with mobile operators and concept selling the product in the market will take time – provided the mobile operators buy into the concept in the first place. picoChip Brings HSUPA to Femtos| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 9, 2007 -- picoChip announced its new PC8209 software, integrating HSUPA (improved WCDMA uplink, decreased latency) into its existing femtocell reference designs. Running on picoChip’s existing hardware platform, customers can upgrade deployed femtocells with the software update alone. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Very positive on picoChip’s new PC8209 software, because it brings HSUPA capabilities to its hardware platform. While not available until later this year, HSUPA delivers critical upstream capabilities and lower latencies to would-be femtocell vendors and operators alike, improving the vendor’s chipset offer and attractiveness to OEMs. • Vendor Importance: High to picoChip, because the ability to support new technologies with a software upgrade remains the company’s value proposition. Femtocell vendors need to build product today and upgrade as needed with advances such as HSUPA. Support for HSUPA on existing hardware argues that picoChip can deliver. • Market Impact: High on the wireless infrastructure market, because picoChip’s femtocell customers can now promise their own customers a seamless upgrade to HSUPA. To provide operators with a sense of investment protection, their competitors will need to prove that they can do the same thing. Ericsson Pushes IMS-capable Enterprise Mobility| Analysts: Joe McGarvey, Robert Arnold | Carrier IP Telephony, Enterprise Communications | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 8, 2007 -- Ericsson's new version of the Enterprise Mobility Gateway offers network operators an integrated solution for delivering a range of mobile enterprise services. The system will initially provide mobile voice and data services, fully integrated with the corporate communications network, on 2G/3G mobile devices as well as dual-mode mobile/WiFi devices. The SIP-based solution can be deployed as CPE, or they can be integrated in an IMS framework to support hosted IP telephony services. The Enterprise Mobility Gateway is available now. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on the delivery of an upgraded version of Ericsson Enterprise Mobility Gateway, because the solution, which extends enterprise communications services to mobile users, is not reliant on the company’s own PBX technology, and it can be deployed as a premises-based system linking with any Q.SIG-compliant PBX, or service providers can deploy it as part of a hosted IP telephony enhancement. This is in contrast to most other PBX mobile extension solutions that are tied to the specific communications platforms offered by their suppliers. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Ericsson, particularly its enterprise business, because the Ericsson Mobility Gateway solution is now being positioned to hosted IP telephony service providers as a SIP-based, IMS-compliant enhancement, as well as a CPE-based solution that can be deployed by managed service providers, integrators, or enterprises themselves. Ericsson Enterprise has seen its share of the global PBX market erode over the past few years, so the platform-independent, IMS-ready Mobility Gateway solution represents an important new revenue opportunity and — crucially — a way to finally leverage the company’s very strong position with service providers. • Market Impact: Moderate on the both the enterprise communication and carrier IP telephony markets, because this important step for Ericsson’s enterprise business simply highlights a requirement (i.e., to extend enterprise-class communications and collaboration features to mobile users) that all suppliers in the industry must meet. Indeed, a range of solutions for doing so are in place from a number of suppliers, but none as of yet match Ericsson’s platform-independence and capability to bridge the CPE and network-based, hosted telephony domains. Ericsson Demos LTE…as Expected| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 9, 2007 – Ericsson announced that it would be demonstrating an LTE system at 3GSM. Supporting MIMO on a 20 MHz carrier in the 2.6 GHz band, Ericsson claims that the system will deliver speeds up to 144 Mbps. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Ericsson’s promises of LTE demos at 3GSM. The demos synch with operator interest in post-3G technologies and Ericsson’s technical candor is welcome. Product and availability details would have been welcome, but focusing on 2.6 GHz smartly targets would-be WiMAX deployments and new Euro spectrum allocations. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Ericsson because LTE is the future of WCDMA networks. More importantly, having eschewed mobile WiMAX, it’s the only next-gen, OFDM-based technology Ericsson is supporting, the only upgrade plant to offer past 3G. • Market Impact: Low on the wireless infrastructure market. As a WCDMA leader, there was no doubt of Ericsson’s commitment to LTE. And, while the demos may get lost amongst a sea of similar 3GSM work, they do point to the direction in which the market is trending. Third Time’s the Charm for Envivio with Third Generation Encoder Debut| Analyst: Erik Keith | Broadband Infrastructure | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 7, 2007 – Envivio announced its third generation 4Caster M2 mobile TV encoding system at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona. 4Caster M2, is a multi-rate, multi-resolution and multi-standard encoder that outputs eight simultaneous profiles, and now includes new features such as IP statistical multiplexing, Windows Media 9 support, IP input and digital rights management (DRM) integration capabilities. The new 4Caster M2 mobile encoding system is scheduled to ship in Q2 2007. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Envivio’s debut of the 4Caster M2 mobile TV encoder solution, as this third generation encoder platform will enable operators to accelerate and to expand their mobile TV service/content offerings, and thereby enable both the operators and content providers to generate new, high-margin revenue streams via the distribution of existing content to a new set of end user customers with very high growth potential. • Vendor Importance: High to Envivio, as the launch of the 4Caster M2 at 3GSM is perfectly timed given 3GSM’s standing as the pre-eminent industry event for mobile technology, not to mention the dramatically increasing demand for mobile TV services by operators worldwide. While Envivio has already established itself as a frontrunner in the encoding sector – as evidenced by its extensive customer base and OEM relationships (e.g., with Harmonic) – with the 4Caster M2 debut, Envivio is signaling its intention to remain on the leading edge of the encoder market. • Market Impact: Moderate on the overall digital video encoder/mobile TV encoder market, as Envivio is already at the technological forefront of this sector, and possesses a substantial installed base of mobile video head-end deployments (i.e., >2,000 encoders at >100 Tier 1/Tier 2 operators). As such, the 4Caster M2 ups the ante for rival vendors, which are now compelled to keep pace with Envivio from both a technological and customer/market traction perspective. Ericsson Completes Femtocell Picture| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 9, 2007 – Ericsson announced its “Femto Cell Solution,” including a home access point compatible with GSM and WCDMA phones as well as WiFi access and ADSL transport. The solution will be available through select operators starting in mid-2007. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on Ericsson’s femtocell solution launch. A GSM femtocell complements earlier announcements on 3G. Availability from mid-2007 suggests a credible portfolio. Yet, claimed support for 2G and 3G together, and no info on core integration assets raises key questions. • Vendor Importance: High to Ericsson because any vendor planning to tackle the femtocell opportunity needs to be proactive with marketing and solution flexibility. Femtos may be a minor part of Ericsson’s future business, but touting availability and 2G/3G/WiFi capabilities execute on both points. • Market Impact: High on the wireless infrastructure market. For the most part, the early femtocell market has been dominated by start-ups. Ericsson’s Home 3G base station announcement last year signaled its femto interests; 2G plans, however, signal a deeper commitment. TECORE Kicks Off GSM Party with All-IP BTS| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 5, 2007 – TECORE announced the BTS-4000RM base station. Combining BTS, BSC, TRAU and PCU functionality, the compact platform can support up to 64 GSM/GPRS/EDGE channels in 5U of 19” rack space. With translation from traditional GSM RAN signaling to a SIP network interface, the BTS-4000RM can interface directly with TECORE’s own SoftMSC or another IMS system. Additionally, the BTS supports TECORE’s AirSite Backhaul Free capability, allowing transport over existing cellular/PCS spectrum. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on TECORE’s new IP-based GSM base station – the BTS-4000RM. While far from a household name in wireless networks, TECORE has carved out a niche with remote area, government and rapid response applications. A combined BTS-BSC with SIP interfaces into the network, in turn, makes perfect sense for these niches by supporting IP backhaul and limiting the discrete set of products an operator needs to deploy. Ultimately, a lack of supporting details – availability, IMS partners, deployments etc. – dulls the value of the announcement. • Vendor Importance: High to TECORE, because the BTS-4000RM fills an important gap in the company’s base station portfolio: a compact, low-capacity, easily integrated solution. When TECORE acquired AirNet, it picked up a broad set of base stations: low-capacity through high-capacity. None, however, could be counted as compact and none could essentially be easily “plugged into” an operator’s network with a technology like SIP. With a focus on markets like rapid response, shipboard and airline communications, this was a major gap. • Market Impact: Low on the wireless infrastructure market, because TECORE is not a top-tier wireless infrastructure vendor; its moves do little to threaten the sales or success of GSM incumbents like Ericsson, Nokia, Nortel or Alcatel-Lucent. Yet the BTS-4000RM is reminiscent of WCDMA solutions from Lucent (Base Station Router) and Motorola (AXPT) and could pique operator interests – driving competitors to follow. CP-TA Steps Up to Supporting Multi-Vendor Interoperation with New Standards| Analyst: Glen Hunt | Carrier Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 8, 2007 — The Communications Platforms Trade Association (CP-TA), an association of communications platform and building block providers, announced the release of the group’s first Interoperability Compliance Document (ICD) 1.0 and Test Procedure Manual (TPM) 1.0. The documents will allow vendors to design and deliver interoperable products. A certification processes will be implemented in order to certify vendor’ compliance. The move receives strong accolades from vendors and operators. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on the Communications Platforms Trade Association’s (CP-TA) release of its first Interoperability Compliance Document and Test Procedure manual. The two documents will guide vendors to design and build their AdvancedTCA-based communication platform offerings according to a set of open standards. The move goes a long way toward achieving multivendor interoperability and a level of design consistency for platforms that service NGN, IMS and 3G wireless applications. • Vendor Importance: Very high to the CP-TA, because this marks a significant milestone in meeting one of its primary objectives – multivendor interoperability for communication platform gear. CP-TA’s efforts address three critical aspects where consistency between vendor platforms is a must. The documents just released cover thermal, manageability and data transport metrics for emerging platforms such as AdvancedTCA and others. • Market Impact: High on the communications platform markets that serve mobile operators and other edge and premise-based platforms. Equipment vendors will be able to outsource more of their platforms confidently by leveraging components from suppliers that offer compliant COTS hardware and software. Mobile operators will have more freedom of choice when selecting network equipment for their NGN buildouts. Sony Ericsson Launches Four New "Branded Experience" Phones| Analyst: Avi Greengart | Mobile Devices | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 6, 2007 – Sony Ericsson announced two new Walkman and two new Cyber-shot phones. At just 9.4mm thin, the W880 Walkman phone (triband GSM/UMTS2100) is the slimmest Sony Ericsson phone yet and will be available Q1 2007. The K810 Cyber-shot (triband GSM/UMTS2100) boasts a 3.2 MP camera, auto focus and a Xenon flash. It will be available Q2 2007 in Europe and Asia. The W610 is a quadband/EDGE music camera phone available Q2 2007. The K550 is a quadband/EDGE Cyber-shot phone and will launch in North America in Q2 2007. Pricing was not announced. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on Sony Ericsson’s two new Walkman phones and pair of Cyber-shot handsets, because using the Sony brands to promise a specific music or imaging experience is clearly working. Even in the U.S., where only the very low end of Sony Ericsson’s Walkman line is offered by a single carrier, the products stand out at retail. However, without pricing details, it is hard to know where they fit in the market. Neither of the new Walkman phones is competitive with Apple’s iPhone, only the lesser two of the four new phones have the right frequency bands to be sold in the U.S., and Sony Ericsson needs exceptional products – not merely very good ones – to ward off competitors. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Sony Ericsson, because its strategy has been focused on the high end of the market, using Sony’s established brands to promise better experiences. To a fairly large degree, Sony Ericsson has succeeded, and its global market share and profit margins reflect this. However, Apple is also directly targeting high-end entertainment-oriented consumers, and this is Sony Ericsson’s first opportunity since MacWorld to answer the iPhone’s call. • Market Impact: Low on consumer handsets overall, because these are just minor improvements to existing models. Even the super-thin W880 is just catching up to what is now table stakes in the form factor wars. However, pricing has not been announced, so it is not clear whether the phones break new ground in that area or not. Tatara Goes Big on Femtocells| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 7, 2007 – Tatara announced the new Tatara Convergence Server (TCS); a SIP-based application server, the TCS interfaces with an operators CSCF, providing SIP-MSC interworking for femtocell integrations. Likewise, upgrades to Tatara’s AAA server platform provide added femtocell authentication options and flexibility. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Very positive on Tatara’s new femtocell network integration solution, the Tatara Convergence Server (TCS). Work with NEC and Ubiquisys signaled Tatara’s femtocell intentions – and gave it sales channels. A new integration platform now signals that it’s serious about the opportunity - not just repurposing existing kit. • Vendor Importance: Very high to Tatara, because attacking the femtocell market requires products and capabilities the company didn’t possess. To this end, the TCS provides SIP-MSC interworking while Tatara’s AAA server enhancements provide needed femtocell authentication flexibility. • Market Impact: High on the wireless infrastructure market, because femtocell integration could be a market opportunity for IMS and UMA vendors, as well as existing RNC/BSC solutions. Unless they start touting their solutions (and competitive benefits) the opportunity may be lost to aggressive vendors like Tatara. NEC + Ubiquisys = NEC + Tatara| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 7, 2007 – NEC and Tatara announced a partnership to integrate Tatara’s femtocell network integration platform into NEC’s Home Gateway Solution architecture. With femtocells provided by Ubiquisys, Tatara gives NEC an IP/SIP based network integration solution. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Neutral on NEC’s partnership with Tatara on femtocell solutions. Tatara is a Ubiquisys network integration partner; working with one implies working with the other. It does not, however, ensure success for either one. • Vendor Importance: High to NEC, because having announced a femtocell partnership with Ubiquisys, the vendor needed a solution for integrating these femtocells into broader wireless networks. Tatara’s work with Ubiquisys made it one obvious solution. • Market Impact: Moderate on the wireless infrastructure market, because NEC’s moves to tap Ubiquisys’ partner ecosystem does little to actually improve its offer or surprise competitors. However, it does signal that NEC is serious about being a credible femtocell player. Cisco Strengthens its IP NGN Mobility Solutions with New 7600-based Capabilities| Analyst: Glen Hunt | Carrier Infrastructure | Client Access | Announcement Summary
Feb. 8, 2007 – Cisco announced two additions to its Mobile IP NGN portfolio: a Mobile Transport over Pseudowires (MToP) solution and the second generation version of its Content Services Gateway (CSG2). The new features enable mobile service providers to support multigenerational mobile traffic backhaul and manage content access and billing more efficiently. MToP extends IP network intelligence to RAN edge aggregation sites via new channelized OC-3/STM-1 and T1/E1/J1 interfaces. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Cisco’s newly announced 7600-based features and capabilities, because its Mobile Transport over Packet (MToP) enhancements provide a converged solution which extends the attributes found in the mobile core to the RAN aggregation layer to address scalability and resiliency. The release of the second generation Cisco Services Gateway (CSG2) provides enhanced content management support for access control, packet inspection and flexible billing scenarios to assist the mobile operator to meet growing customer expectations and to offer innovative features to their subscribers. • Vendor Importance: High to Cisco, since the new capabilities provide a complete model to transport multigenerational mobile traffic over a converged MPLS-based network infrastructure, strongly improving its position in mobile network routing and transport. With the rapid build out of mobile IP infrastructures, the 7600’s position is strengthened by new channelized interfaces that can bring legacy mobile traffic onto a more cost effective Ethernet/MPLS infrastructure. Further, the addition of the CSG2 shows Cisco’s continued commitment to providing network and service layer functionality to support the requirements of NGN mobile applications. • Market Impact: High on the Mobile Backhaul market, since Cisco’s 7600 gains yet another feature/capability boost to address any type of mobile traffic, extend a common MPLS control plane to the RAN, and offer a full suite of content management and traffic analysis support. Cisco has also received an endorsement from Wataniya Telecom of Kuwait, adding to the strength and validity of the announced features. ip.access Supports Alcatel-Lucent with nanoBTS| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 6, 2007 – ip.access announced a partnership with Alcatel-Lucent involving the company’s nanoGSM solution. nanoGSM leverages the vendor’s nanoBTS picocell along with DSL backhaul to provide 2G coverage to the enterprise market. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on ip.access’ OEM with Alcatel-Lucent. Following an OEM with Siemens, the new deal strengthens ip.access’ GSM picocell market position and speaks to the credibility of the nanoBTS. Yet, without customer references, the full value is unclear. • Vendor Importance: Moderate-to-High to ip.access because it’s almost impossible for a small RAN vendor to sell directly to operators; ip.access requires partners like Siemens and Alcatel-Lucent. Of course, Alcatel-Lucent does not maintain the GSM clout or reach of Siemens. • Market Impact: Low to the wireless infrastructure market. The OEM suggests a growing interest in in-building GSM coverage. But, while Alcatel-Lucent could help to drive the nanoBTS deeper into the market and, there’s no immediate indication that it will. Aepona Adds VCC Capabilities to Services Platform and Scores New Funding| Analyst: Joe McGarvey | Carrier IP Telephony | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 5, 2007 – Aepona announced a solution for cellular to WiFi roaming, based on the 3GPP Voice Call Continuity (VCC) specification. The Aepona VCC solution is built on the company’s Universal Services Platform, which has been deployed with multiple carriers, including France Telecom, Sprint, Vimpelcom, and KPN. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Aepona’s introduction of Voice Call Continuity (VCC) capabilities, as the cellular-to-WiFi handoff technology provides increased depth to the company’s Universal Service Platform (USP) and complements existing FMC capabilities in Aepona’s services platform. The additional funding -- $10 million – adds validation to Aepona’s recently conceived business plan. • Vendor Importance: Moderate to high to Aepona as the addition of VCC capabilities adds a voice-oriented dimension to the company’s service delivery platform, which already includes a service broker component that provides interoperability between legacy and SIP environments. The additional funding, which brings total investment in the company to $45 million, will be put to good use in financing the company’s foray into the service delivery solution provider market. • Market Impact: Moderate on the mobility management or FMC market, as Aepona is far from the first vendor to deliver VCC capabilities that align with the most recent 3GPP standards for cellular-to-WiFi handoff. However, the company is one of the first makers of a services platform to incorporate VCC capabilities into a service delivery framework. Ericsson to Launch Hosted Mobile Content Services with Partner Turner Broadcasting| Analyst: John Marcus | Telecom Infrastructure Services | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 5, 2007 – Ericsson and Turner Broadcasting have formed a partnership for developing mobile multimedia content services, leveraging Turner’s CNN International, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim broadcast material. The offering combines Turner news and entertainment content with hosting and content management technology and services developed by Ericsson. It will launch on February 12 at 3GSM in Barcelona, bringing a new CNN Mobile service to users initially in the EMEA region. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on Ericsson’s announcement that it has formed a partnership with Turner Broadcasting System International in order to jointly develop and launch hosted mobile content services, with the initial service in Europe to be launched February 12 at 3GSM in Barcelona. Following Napster, this represents another blue chip content brand to which Ericsson has been able to sell its hosting and content management platform. In fact, the relationship goes beyond one of supplier/customer, since the two companies will invest and collaborate as partners on the end product, which will then be marketed to mobile service providers. • Vendor Importance: Moderate to Ericsson’s Multimedia and Services business units, which will co-develop (with Turner) and operate the hosted service, respectively. Although it has had success delivering hosted mobile television services to several small operators, Ericsson benefits from this higher profile, long-term partnership, which helps validate its mobile multimedia hosting capabilities. • Market Impact: High on the telecom managed services market, since Ericsson’s Turner Broadcasting partnership represents the first such content alliance among its immediate peers on the video side on the content market. Other vendors have launched hosted mobile TV offerings, such as Alcatel-Lucent’s new offering in Asia, but not in conjunction with global brands such as Turner’s CNN and Cartoon Network. Proxim Combines WiMAX and WiFi – Claiming a Marginal First| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 5, 2007 – Proxim announced its MeshMAX solution, a product line combining WiFi mesh, WiFi access and WiMAX transport. Immediately available, with pricing starting at $999, MeshMAX nodes are three-radio products supporting 3.5 GHz and 5 GHz WiMAX along with 5 GHz 802.11 mesh and 2.4 GHz 802.11 access. Initial implementations leverage 802.16d-based WiMAX, promising a software upgrade to 802.16e. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on Proxim’s new MeshMAX product – a multi-radio solution combining WiMAX, WiFi mesh and WiFi access. The concept of integrating WiMAX into a WiFi mesh node is by no means novel or unique. Likewise, Proxim does not maintain the mesh mindshare of leaders like Tropos, Belair or Strix – complicating MashMAX sales and marketing efforts. Ultimately, however, the concept is a logical addition to the vendor’s mesh portfolio with immediate availability and flexible deployment options capping off the value proposition. • Vendor Importance: Moderate to Proxim because, in an attempt to build its mesh and WiMAX businesses, the integration of WiMAX into a unified node is nothing more than logical. Competitors – BelAir, AirSpan, Alvarion – are promising similar capabilities. Operators are asking for simplified deployments. MeshMAX may be little more than a packaging exercise, but it was a necessary one for any vendor with mesh WiFi and WiMAX assets. • Market Impact: Low to the WiMAX and WiFi Mesh infrastructure markets. The use of WiMAX for WiFi mesh backhaul is compelling. The integration of WiMAX directly into a mesh node is equally compelling and makes Proxim a stronger competitor. WiMAX and WiFi mesh competitors without a similar strategy may be compelled to move in this direction. Ultimately, however, it’s safe to say that most competitors have these capabilities in their roadmaps (if not current products). 3WAY Goes Commercial| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 6, 2007 – 3Way Networks announced commercial availability of the UMTS HBS (Home Base Station), a 3G femtocell. Planned to ship through integrators, 3Way claims the HBS as the market’s first commercially available femtocell. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Slightly positive on 3Way’s announcement of commercial femtocell availability. The market’s known about 3Way’s femtocell since, at least, last year. Still, announcing early availability paints 3Way as a market leader and sets the stage for new sales and partner discussions. • Vendor Importance: High to 3WAY because commercial femtocell availability allows the company to engage would-be customers more credibly. Up to this point, all it could hope to do is point to prototypes, trial kit and its larger, enterprise-grade offerings. • Market Impact: Moderate to the wireless infrastructure market. It comes as no surprise to competitors that 3WAY would use 3GSM to herald commercial availability of its home base station. Yet, the move will set market and customer expectations that competitors may need to follow. Ubiquisys Scores (Momentum) with NEC| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Announcement Summary
February 7, 2007 – Ubiquisys announced that NEC would ship the company’s ZoneGate femtocell – a HSPA-based home access point - as part of its 3G Home Gateway Solutions portfolio. The partnership will extend to global distribution. Analytical Summary • Current Perspective: Positive on NEC’s OEM partnership with NEC. Successful in Asian, NEC is not a household 3G name. Still, any momentum is good momentum for a start-up like Ubiquisys and NEC stands to be more aggressive on 3G should its work with Siemens dissolve. • Vendor Importance: Very High to Ubiquisys because NEC represents the vendor’s first femtocell customer. 2006 was spent taking femtocells from “neat idea” to “credible products.” 2007 will be about building credibility through availability and customer engagement. • Market Impact: High to the wireless infrastructure market. Next to RadioFrame’s tepid OEM with Nokia, Ubiquisys’ NEC partnership represents the biggest announced femtocell deal, to date, boosting the vendor’s credibility and mindshare. TECORE Kicks Off GSM Party With All-IP BTS| Analyst: Peter Jarich | Wireless Infrastructure | Client Access | Announcement Summary
February 5, 2007 – TECORE announced the BTS-4000RM base station. Combining BTS, BSC, TRAU and PCU functionality, the compact platform can support up to 64 GSM/GPRS/EDGE channels in 5U of 19” rack space. With translation from traditional |
