3g networks

The search for the best 3G network

Dan Bowman — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:08:10 -0400

Road warriors who require constant connectivity to the Internet probably will be interested in Computerworld's mini-review to find the "best" 3G network in the United States. Brian Nadel ran tests on mobile broadband offerings from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, collecting 500 data points from eight different places. Not surprisingly, some of the findings mirror my own experience with the 3G networks in Singapore: The fact is that data are a power drain on laptops, and that constant top-of-the-line coverage is not a given. Brian noted that coverage often is a mixture of old and new technology, with certain areas likely to still be running on older variants. The experience is generally satisfactory though, with speeds ranging from 614Kbit/sec for download, and 337Kbit/sec for download.

For more on the best 3G network:
- check out this Computerworld article

Why one wireless and not another?

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

Sometimes, the hype can almost deafen you. The sheer volume of email, phone calls, advertisements, and "special messages" that surround new product introductions (especially when the product in question involves billions of dollars worth of investment) can keep you from understanding anything about the true value of the product and its underlying technology. That's been the case with WiMAX for the last couple of years, and I fully expect the volume and tempo to pick up considerably in the coming months. Why? It's almost time for Sprint and other companies to start making money back on their significant investments in the technology infrastructure buildout.

The problem is that the rollout is unlikely to be smooth. I say that because I'm hearing whispers out of Sprint that indicate they haven't learned some very important lessons over the last 20 years. A Sprint official recently said that people looking for a cellular-like "unlimited data" option were going to be disappointed. He also indicated that the model for subsidizing hardware (you know, the "sign up for a year and we'll give you the phone" model) was going to change. What I hear from this is that they're going to make customers pay more up front, then meter the use. I have one thing to say about that: ISDN.

When DSL was starting to roll out a decade ago, equipment vendors told me their biggest fear was that the phone companies would treat it like residential ISDN, a promising technology use that was killed quickly and efficiently by a carrier who didn't have a clue about successful pricing models. The same pricing models that killed ISDN are now being considered for WiMAX. I can't be the only person who's worried about this.

WiMAX is promising for many applications, but it's far from the only wireless game in town. 3G and 4G cellular networks and free or low-cost WiFi hotspots will all compete with WiMAX in the mobile arena. If Sprint blows the pricing, they'll probably still find customers (ISDN is, after all, still available), but they'll ensure that the market is far smaller than it could be with single-price, predictable monthly pricing. Will Sprint and the other carriers figure this one out in time? We'll know the answer starting in the second quarter of this year. -Curtis

P.S. In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday next week, IT-Wireless will be published on Tuesday, instead of Monday. See you next week!

Always-on security

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Laptop computers and 3G networks have joined forces to bring anywhere Internet connectivity to the enterprise world. Unfortunately, while the combination has created significant productivity enhancements for mobile professionals, it has brought significant security concerns, as well. Now, Alcatel-Lucent is delivering a product suite, OmniAccess 3500 Laptop Guardian, that has been brought to market by Sprint-Nextel, with the goal of using the same 3G network to provide always-on security and fleet management for corporate laptops. A PC Card with a self-contained computer and constant network access protects the computer and can receive patches and downloads, even when the laptop computer is turned off. When the technology can provide a bit of safety along with productivity, the market is making steps in the right direction.

For more on the new Alcatel-Lucent 24/7 security:
- Read the product news at WirelessWeek

Wireless networks get closer

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

I remember when email wouldn't travel between networks. I had separate accounts for MCI Mail and Compuserve to increase my reach: it was a great day when email could traverse the Internet and move between networks. Now, of course, we take for granted that messages can move from one client to another. We're on the verge of reaching a similar point, at which the type of network that any client is connected to will matter much less. Smartphones that use both cellular and WiFi networks have been discussed for some time now, but they're finally beginning to make their way to market. Between cellular (and 3G data) networks, WiFi hotspots, and WiMAX networks, we're rapidly approaching a place when ubiquitous data connectivity will be a reasonable assumption virtually anywhere "in town". For those of us who work while moving from place to place, this is an incredible development. It's no less remarkable for organizations large and small because it will continue the change in how work (and the workplace) is defined. I'm not sure that I agree with Intel's assessment that 2008 will be "The Year of WiMAX", but I'm quite confident that we'll look back on 2007 and 2008 as years when the way that we work changed forever. -Curtis

Reinvented enterprise iPaq

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:38 -0500

The iPaq name has long meant full-featured wireless device for mobile data management and access. It's also meant a device with the large-form size common to palm-top computers. Now, HP hopes it will also mean a feature-packed cellphone in a sleek (well, sleeker) package. The iPaq 500 series, introduced in Barcelona, gives up the bulky form-factor while hanging on to most of the features that make an iPaq an iPaq. This multi-network phone (which will use 3G networks, WiFi hotspots, or office wireless networks), will ship with VoIP software and management tools that will allow it to seamlessly hand-off calls between networks. The Windows Mobile phone is designed to appeal to enterprise customers that have made significant investments in wireless applications, but are still open to a new platform.

For more details on the new iPaq:
- read the article at News Factor

Intel drops 3G Centrino support

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:37 -0500

Intel has reversed course on whether the next-generation Centrino chipset will contain 3G network support. After a September 2006 announcement that the upcoming version of Centrino would allow connections to 3G networks, customers were looking forward to reaching out to touch the Internet from anywhere within a 3G network footprint. Now, though, Intel says that 3G support would be too expensive for the upcoming release. The news isn't the end of the line for 3G support, though, since Intel did not specifically rule out 3G support in future releases.

Read more about the future of 3G support from Centrino:
- in the article at CIO Today

3G phones coming to market

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:01:37 -0500

The first wave of phones aimed at using Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) service--the fastest network capability yet and a new technology in the US telecom industry--will hit the shelves in early 2006 from Nokia. The vendor has announced it will be selling three phones designed for third-generation wireless networks, including its first handset for the UMTS-based 3G networks being rolled out in the US from Cingular. The 3G Nokia 6282 features a slide-open body with a 2.2-inch, display, digital camera, Bluetooth capability, FM radio and a digital music player. The other two handsets, models 6233 and 6234, both boast 2-megapixel cameras, built-in stereo speakers and, of course, digital music players.

For more on the new 3G phone devices:
- read this article at CIO Today