xenophon
join:2007-09-17
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| reply to DaveNJ
Re: Sad really.
ION isn't a good comparison to WiMAX. ION was a Sprint-specific solution. WiMAX is an IEEE spec that has many many large players involved Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Cisco and others. WiMAX will survive globally even if Sprint doesn't get it out the door in the US.
I expect Sprint to split of Xohm and maintain ownership of the massive spectrum, over 100Mhz per market, which is simply huge.
WiMAX needs to happen. LTE is too controlled by the telcom industry (3GGP) and will be limited to devices the carriers control. WiMAX is much easier to get onto any kind of consumer electronics device that could benefit from being on the Net. Like WiFi, the WiMAX device maker simply drops in an IEEE compliant chipset w/out needing any interaction with the provider (unless involving unique services tied to a provider). |
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DaveNJ
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
 ·Comcast
·Patriot Media
| said by xenophon  :ION isn't a good comparison to WiMAX. ION was a Sprint-specific solution. WiMAX is an IEEE spec that has many many large players involved Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Cisco and others. WiMAX will survive globally even if Sprint doesn't get it out the door in the US. I expect Sprint to split of Xohm and maintain ownership of the massive spectrum, over 100Mhz per market, which is simply huge. to a provider). But the problem is Sprint is selling it. So even if its sliced bread. People dont think Sprint can do it successfully. Wimax will go nowhere, not because of the business model, but because Sprint is involved. |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
 ·North State Commun..
| said by DaveNJ :Wimax will go nowhere, not because of the business model, but because Sprint is involved. I think there is too much clout behind WiMAX for it to go nowhere. It's device agnostic, it will soon be as ubiquitous as 802.11b/g thanks to Intel's Centrino push, and should be pretty open for 3rd parties. Sprint has already proven they don't mind letting other people ride atop their network if you look at the number of MVNO's who use Sprint.
I think WiMAX is going to shake up the mobile phone industry. People are tired of being locked to one carrier, one set of apps on their phone and not being able to use it the way they want. I think WiMAX may change all that.
I do agree that Sprint should spin it off to avoid tainting the brand. They need to change the color scheme to something non-Sprint-like too. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to xenophon
I do think that Sprint should sell off Xohm and its spectrum. That will get its investors off its back. If Sprint concentrates on being 'Sprint', it can be successful.
I think they're at the 'I want to have my cake and eat it too' scenario, where they'd like to keep both Xohm/WiMAX for its potential, and its future, however, are being somewhat beaten into submission.
100MHz of spectrum is worth a truckload. If they can get some investors (hey, Sprint stock is dirt cheap) AND can do something with it and Xohm, they'll do well.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY | reply to Matt
It will be carrier locked. I bet Intel's WIMAX Centrino will only work on Sprint's and Clearwire's frequencies, effectivly locking it. I dont see the FCC having a 2.3/2.5 auction any time soon. |
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