"Most telcos launching WiMax this year"
08-07-2010
WiMax Forum sees strength in WiMax's "here-and-now" status
Wimax Forum on Tuesday claimed that most Indian telcos who have won the BWA auction are expected to launch Wimax services this year, subject to availability of spectrum.
"We saw some press announcement by operators for deploying competitive technology. The lobby from other side seems to be making noise. If they do not make noise then they are afraid of losing opportunity" said CS Rao, honorary chairman, India chapter, Wimax Forum at a press meet
"We touched base with the telcos and found they are only evaluating technologies and are aware that the competitive technology to WiMax is not going to be available before 2012" he added.
"The operators know very well that WiMax technology is available today. They are looking to deploy broadband services to recover the auction costs"
He added that BSNL has already started Wimax services and other operators are running trial on Wimax technology. "All the operators are running trial and some are on the verge of closing trials" claimed Rao.
Santhanam Gopalakrishnan, country head, Alvarion mentioned that the company is in the final stage of business deal with some of the major operators who have expressed willingness to launch Wimax service in the last quarter of this year.
Bharat Bhatia, chairman, RWG, WiMAX Forum India Chapter, and director, Motorola India, said that barring one company, all the BWA winners are looking forward to deploying Wimax services as it has well-developed ecosystem to support the services. Devices were already in place and at affordable price point. By February 2011, 802.16m version would be approved by ITU. This delivers double the efficiency and speed being delivered today.
On availability of access devices, Rao mentioned that multiple devices are available in various form factors from the price point of Rs 1700 onward.
"Devices in smartphone form factor are available for the price point of around Rs 5000, data cards and USB devices in the range of Rs.1700 to Rs. 2500 and customer premise equipment at Rs price point of Rs 2500 approximately available in Indian market" said Rao.
Wimax Forum on Tuesday claimed that most Indian telcos who have won the BWA auction are expected to launch Wimax services this year, subject to availability of spectrum.
"We saw some press announcement by operators for deploying competitive technology. The lobby from other side seems to be making noise. If they do not make noise then they are afraid of losing opportunity" said CS Rao, honorary chairman, India chapter, Wimax Forum at a press meet
"We touched base with the telcos and found they are only evaluating technologies and are aware that the competitive technology to WiMax is not going to be available before 2012" he added.
"The operators know very well that WiMax technology is available today. They are looking to deploy broadband services to recover the auction costs"
He added that BSNL has already started Wimax services and other operators are running trial on Wimax technology. "All the operators are running trial and some are on the verge of closing trials" claimed Rao.
Santhanam Gopalakrishnan, country head, Alvarion mentioned that the company is in the final stage of business deal with some of the major operators who have expressed willingness to launch Wimax service in the last quarter of this year.
Bharat Bhatia, chairman, RWG, WiMAX Forum India Chapter, and director, Motorola India, said that barring one company, all the BWA winners are looking forward to deploying Wimax services as it has well-developed ecosystem to support the services. Devices were already in place and at affordable price point. By February 2011, 802.16m version would be approved by ITU. This delivers double the efficiency and speed being delivered today.
On availability of access devices, Rao mentioned that multiple devices are available in various form factors from the price point of Rs 1700 onward.
"Devices in smartphone form factor are available for the price point of around Rs 5000, data cards and USB devices in the range of Rs.1700 to Rs. 2500 and customer premise equipment at Rs price point of Rs 2500 approximately available in Indian market" said Rao.
