Why WiMax?
Monday, April 13th, 2009Why WiMAX?
Thanks to iPhone, Android and the carriers; AT&T and TMobile, it is clear that 3G is a new standard for the digital phone consumers. They are buying up the phones and increasing their services from their wireless provider. But are they frustrated, the phone is so robust but can the backend support the front-end? Do the carriers have the bandwidth required to meet the needs of multimedia applications on the go – such a video conferencing from the wireless device. That is where 4G comes into play – the most exciting aspect of the 4G phones is the download speed – expected to be 100 Mbps – and its equally awesome 50 Mbps upload speed.
Some companies such as Sprint are skipping the 3G world and hyper speeding right into 4G WiMax. The good news for Sprint is consumers have proven they will pay for the speed and quality of a good network with a phone with applications that meet their daily needs. The frustration of the lack of speed for downloads and video will naturally move the consumer to the desire for the 4G networks and they will incrementally pay more for that service.
One thing is for sure, Carriers are investing a lot of resources into their WiMax 4G networks. According to the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), carriers in the United States are expected to spend $4.4 billion on WiMAX infrastructure equipment in 2008. Considering that WiMAX is only one potential 4G standard, industry watchers are expecting carriers to drop a lot of dough on 4G gear.
How do the wireless providers invest in new networks during a downturn in the economy and uncertain futures? They need to find ways to be more efficient then they have ever been. They need to work with partners that will ensure they are building in the most cost effective matter and not just sole sourcing with a single vendor. They need to ensure that their networks are standing up to the SLSs in place and are providing the throughput they are paying for. The carriers need to look for partners such as CFN Services
CFN Services is not a fiber company, we acquire fiber from the most efficient and cost effective way – when it makes sense we are able to lay new fiber and complete the installation from end to end. CFN Services is able to take the day-to-day management of the build out away from the carrier and allow the carrier to spend their time on the overall build – out plans and benefits. CFN Services is able to provide a timely analysis of an area and provide the ideal bandwidth mix that is required to provide a robust WiMax platform that will maximize cost efficiencies without derogating any network quality. By working with multiple fiber companies CFN can piece together the highest quality of bandwidth and manage all the contracts and SLA’s for the carrier; while providing cost savings to the Service Provider. CFN supports the design, AAV support and TCO for a carrier. CFN also can implement and manage Fiber based MAN solutions in markets that the Service Provider is looking to have a WiMax presence. CFN Services is your partner for your mobile backhaul and new market expansions.
One a recent contract with a Service Provider, CFN Services analyzed 10,000 WiMax deployment sites to identify 3,000 sites that were proximate to fiber for use as backhaul hubs. Those 3,000 went into an RF design phase where a subset of 500 actual hub sites came back which we then designed physical fiber network to provide high capacity low cost backhaul. Because of this work, CFN Services
was able to save the provider over $615,000 for a 13-market installation.
