Russian WiMAX Operator Enforta Joins GDC
Enforta, an early leader amongst the Russian WiMAX start-ups, today joined the WCA's Global Development Committee (GDC). Enforta recently announced plans to expand its operating footprint by another 22 Russian cities during June, increasing the total service territory to 55 cities. “This is our most ambitious launch program since we started the company,” said Enforta General Director Victor Ratnikov. By this month’s end, Enforta’s service footprint will include cities with an aggregate population exceeding 55 million.” Enforta also announced that it is on schedule to launch another 10 cities in the fourth quarter of 2008. Enforta was formed in October, 2003 by a group of telecommunication industry executives headed by President Lee Sparkman and General Director Victor Ratnikov with the objective to provide broadband services using WiMAX and other advanced technologies in Russia’s regional capitals.

• What services and applications are driving the adoption of broadband wireless for residential and business customers?
• What service revenues are WiMAX operators able to generate and what is the trend?
• Latest Q1 2008 WiMAX statistics for residential and business ARPU by region and market segment.
• How many subscribers are adopting WiMAX and at what pace?
• What are the regional differences in the business case for WiMAX?

Also speaking on the call will be Rasoul Safavian of Bechtel -- one of the world’s premier engineering, construction and project management companies that recently joined the GDC Ecosystem Partners Subcommittee.  The call is open to the members of the GDC and its Ecosystem Partners.  For more information or to join GDC, please contact Susan Polyakova.

GDC Leaders Promote Global Spectrum Harmonization
Leaders of the WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC) met with international operators from the EMEA region at WiMAX World in Munich last week to promote global spectrum harmonization and further expand GDC outreach.  Among other activities, GDC European Coordinator Graham Currier of FREEDOM4 (U.K.) and GDC Ecosystem Partners Chairman Andy McKinnon of Motorola held an invitation-only International Operator Luncheon that gathered leading operators from around the globe interested in unlocking more monetary value from their spectrum.  Specifically, operators discussed next steps toward providing greater global spectrum harmonization, using GDC’s extensive experience in effective group action on global spectrum policies.  This includes freedom from interference and ensuring interoperability in broadband wireless spectrum bands internationally.  For more information or to join GDC, please contact Susan Polyakova.

WCA recommends that members subscribe to a complementary e-newsletter produced by prominent industry research firm Maravedis.  Distributed twice a month, the newsletter is dedicated to providing subscribers with timely, objective information on developments throughout the WiMAX ecosystem, featuring in-depth articles on technologies and market forecasts as well as executive interviews with key WiMAX operators.  To receive your FREE subscription, click here.

A group of GDC members from around the globe will attend an exclusive tour of the Sprint Nextel’s WiMAX XOHM lab on April 21, with an introduction by Bin Shen, Vice President of XOHM Product Development.  The tour will be part of a special program WCA has prepared exclusively for the GDC members at WCA 2008 – WCA’s annual convention from April 21-23, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, DC (USA).  The XOHM tour will be followed by a GDC Luncheon & Roundtable discussion on mobile WiMAX certification, building a successful WiMAX business case and other business and regulatory issues of critical importance to GDC members.  GDC members attending both the tour and the luncheon are eligible for a complementary hotel room for one night (a US$265 value) and a reduced full-conference registration rate of only $345 for international (non-U.S.) operators.  WCA 2008 will present a unique program and feature sessions of interest to international companies, including those on WiMAX in Latin America, predictions for worldwide WiMAX deployments and trials, WiMAX strategy for expanding broadband in emerging markets, WiMAX v. LTE debate, and WiMAX rural and regional opportunities.  For more information about the program, please see Agenda and Featured Speakers.  To RSVP for the Sprint Mobile WiMAX lab tour and GDC Luncheon & Roundtable, please contact Susan Polyakova.  

Barry West, Sprint CTO and president of its XOHM business unit, will keynote April 22 to kick-off WCA 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.  West is expected to discuss his company’s upcoming XOHM mobile WiMAX launch of commercial service in the Metropolitan Washington, Baltimore and Chicago markets.  Closely watched around the world, West has been leading Sprint Nextel’s revolutionary initiative to build a Mobile WiMAX advanced multimedia network.  WCA 2008 will convene key players from government and industry to discuss “Capitalizing on the 4G Ecosystem” and feature cutting-edge discussion on broadband wireless applications.  The convention will capitalize on new applications in public safety through a partnership with the co-located GovSec convention.  Other highlights will include a financial track led by top industry analyst firm Yankee Group, predictions on the 700 MHz auction results’ implications for industry, the continued launch of advanced services in rural areas, industry’s move toward green technology, and progress for more specialized needs, such as homeland security, E-911 and disaster planning.  Details.  For information about WCA 2008, please visit: Agenda and Featured Speakers.    

Finance options for WiMAX/4G deployments during the current global credit crunch and growing battle between WiMAX and Long Term Evolution (LTE) technologies will be among key topics discussed at the Yankee Group Finance Forum on April 23 in Washington, DC.  The Forum will be held as part of WCA 2008.  Capital flowing to communications companies around the world has been drying up at a significant pace as global economic growth slows and credit markets become more cautious.  Even with the current interest in emerging market investments, lenders and equity investors are becoming increasingly cautious, selective and risk averse.  The Yankee Group Finance Forum will examine the impact of the global credit crunch on financing mobile WiMAX network deployments, which is threatening new network build-outs, the expansion of business, and the ability to raise money, especially for mid-size and small companies with riskier business models.  Led by Yankee Group Chief Strategy Officer Berge Ayvazian, the Forum will also address questions on financing problems faced by many WiMAX players, and offer tips for success on how those problems can be mitigated.  Other key issues to be examined at this half-day event include WiMAX strategy for expanding broadband in emerging markets, WiMAX rural and regional opportunities, and evaluating spectrum options for new entrants.  “We will examine the results of the recent 700 MHz auction and look back at how the AWS spectrum has been utilized, in light of the current effort to create a consortium of investors and cableco partners in the proposed Clearwire and Sprint joint venture,” said Ayvazian.  “The panels will feature high-level executives from some of world’s leading financial institutions, including General Electric Commercial Finance, International Finance Corporation, and RBS Daniels.”  Details.

WCA will announce next week a major training and certification program to be launched in conjunction with WCA 2008, with follow-ups going forward.  The program has three components to start: First is a general session open to all convention registrants at 8:45 a.m. on Monday April 21 led by WCA Board member TESSCO Technologies, which chairs WCA’s new Training and Certification Committee.  Introducing that session is Scott McClure, TESSCO’s Product Business Unit Manager for Wireless Broadband & Networking.  Beginning immediately afterward is an intensive three-day course entitled “WiMAX Technology & Network Design” that WCA will offer in cooperation with instructors from member company CelPlan Technologies, Inc.  This course addresses the needs of engineers and managers who need to understand in-depth WiMAX technology and its network design.  The focus is on the latest revision of the standard, which is IEEE 802.16e-2005, corrigendum 2 and task group 802.16m.  The course starts with an overview of WiMAX and the IEEE 802.16 family of standards.  Then follows a detailed description of the technology techniques, including e2e architecture, permutations (PUSC, FUSC), and MIMO techniques.  Next, a WiMAX Network design will be covered, starting from service and traffic definition and then moving to the calculation of network Key Performance Indicators (KPI).  The price is $2,910 per student before April 4, and $3,500 after that deadline. On Tuesday morning, WCA and CelPlan will offer a similar course for two days on Long-Term Evolution (LTE), which is described as the future 4G standard of 3GPP.  After an overview of 4G standards the course introduces the requirements of LTE, provides insight to the most relevant changes to L1/L2/L3 and the network architecture of E-UTRAN to UMTS, HSDPA, and HSUPA.  It is followed by a detailed description of the e2e architecture and MIMO techniques.  Next, an LTE Network design will be covered, starting from service and traffic definition and moving to the calculation of network (KPI).  The price is $1,940 per student before April 4, and $2,300 after the deadline.  Registration for either tutorial is via email: training@celplan.com.  Details are available by calling 703-259-4036 or visiting: Tutorial White Paper.    

WCA has partnered with telecom market research and analysis firm Maravedis for a Maravedis Live! webinar discussing the key findings of its report on “Opportunities and Challenges for WiMAX & Broadband Wireless in the USA.”  The interactive webinar – WiMAX in the USA: What is the opportunity outside Sprint/Clearwire? – will feature Adlane Fellah, President of Maravedis and report author, and analyst Tim Sanders.  They will present significant findings and market updates.  In addition, WCA Board member Kelley Dunne, who is the CEO of Digital Bridge Communications, will speak about the opportunities for wireless Internet service providers in the U.S.  He will be joined by an Alvarion representative.  The Maravedis report profiles more than 23 carriers, vendors, spectrum holders, and industry stakeholders to ascertain, primarily from the carrier point of view, opportunities, realities and threats.  The report also provides an in-depth analysis of U.S. broadband wireless trends, including technology, regulation and deployments.  The webinar will take place on Tuesday, April 8 at 11 a.m. EDT.  To participate, please register online here.

Finance options for WiMAX deployments during the global credit crunch and WiMAX/4G challenges and opportunities in Eastern Europe will be the key topics discussed at the next monthly conference call of the WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC) on Tuesday, March 25 at 11 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).  The call will feature leading analyst from an independent technology research and consulting firm Yankee Group and executives from a rapidly-expanding telecom service provider in Ukraine Intellecom.  Capital flowing to communications companies around the world has been drying up at a significant pace as global economic growth slows and credit markets become more cautious. Even with the current interest in emerging market investments, lenders and equity investors are becoming increasingly cautious, selective and risk averse. This Yankee Group presentation will examine the impact of the global credit crunch on financing mobile WiMAX network deployments, which is threatening new network build-outs, the expansion of business, and the ability to raise money, especially for mid-size and small companies with riskier business models. Yankee Group analysts Berge Ayvazian and Dr. Phil Marshall will also address questions on financing problems faced by many WiMAX players, and offer tips for success on how those problems can be mitigated.  Also on the call, Michael Cunnyngham and Scott Ritchie of Intellecom will provide valuable insight on the challenges and opportunities operators face in the fast-growing WiMAX/4G markets in Eastern Europe and particularly in Ukraine.  They will also share their experiences and lessons learned from the Intellecom’s WiMAX deployments in Ukraine’s capital Kiev.  The call will also address additional issues regarded as top priority by GDC members.  The March 25 call is open to members of the GDC and its Ecosystem Partners Subcommittee.  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova.

GDC Ecosystem Partners Chairman Andy McKinnon of Motorola stressed the importance of roaming for the future of WiMAX in an interview with Telecommunications Magazine.  “Roaming is key to the WiMAX business case, and we can learn from the mistakes of Wi-Fi and GSM roaming,” he said, primarily referring to the need to develop uniform log-on procedures that are easy for WiMAX subscribers to use as they roam across different networks around the world.  McKinnon is leading the GDC effort to promote global WiMAX roaming among vendors and service providers.  For him, a key strength of WiMAX is that operators can serve the mobile, fixed and nomadic markets all on one network, which provides greater cost-efficiencies: It is the ultimate, agile network.  McKinnon said the decision by GDC member Sprint Nextel to roll out a nationwide mobile WiMAX network in the United States “expedited attention on WiMAX from operators around the world.”  He added that he didn’t view Verizon’s decision to go with LTE as a threat.  “It might not be a bad thing to have different [4G] networks, otherwise there is danger you just compete on price,” he said.  “And anyway, as both LTE and WiMAX are based on the same OFDMA technology, it may be possible to have roaming between the two networks.  It’s too early to say whether this will happen, but it’s a possibility.” 

WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC) has released a case-study white paper on the development of fixed WiMAX services.  The paper’s conclusions illustrate the need for international regulatory authorities to advocate large spectrum allocations for effective broadband wireless access (BWA) applications.  The paper is based on the results of several case studies and trials conducted by operators in Brazil.  Entitled “Key Factors for IEEE 802.16e 2.5 GHz WiMAX Deployments for Fixed Access Service Applications,” the paper was prepared by GDC Co-Chairmen José Luiz N. Frauendorf of Brazil’s NEOTEC association of 2.5 GHz operators and Tajit Mehta of Sprint Nextel.  The paper concludes, among other things, that although 30 MHz is often cited as the minimum required spectrum for an IEEE 802.16e system, 60/90 MHz should be considered whenever possible in order to reduce infrastructure costs and allow operators to grow system capacity and support market demand in a cost-effective way.  GDC calls on other GDC member operators to develop similar white papers on next-generation network development in their respective countries.

WCA has opened online registration for WCA 2008 – the industry’s premier global annual WiMAX/4G convention organized from April 21-23 in Washington, D.C. (USA).  Early bird special rates will be available until April 14.  WCA registration includes a number of attractive benefits for the GDC members (announced during yesterday’s GDC conference call) and free admission to the WCA@GovSec sessions on April 24.  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova.  International delegates who need a visa to enter the United States should contact WCA’s Horacio Oyhanarte to request an invitation letter for the WCA’s upcoming event.

WiMAX/4G challenges and opportunities in Western Europe will be the focus of the next  GDC monthly conference call on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).  The call will feature Joe Sonke, who is Manager for Wireless Broadband & Auctions at the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom), plus leading analysts Berge Ayvazian of Yankee Group and Caroline Gabriel of Rethink Research.  Sonke is responsible for wireless broadband and spectrum auctions at Ofcom and is currently involved in the auction of 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz spectrum due to take place around the time of the GDC call.  Before Ofcom was created, he worked for the Radiocommunications Agency, the body previously responsible for spectrum management in the UK.  Sonke witnessed the transition of the previous organization – which was a more traditional command-and-control based administration – to the current regulatory body.  This gives him a great perspective on the transition of spectrum regulation towards a more liberalized and market focused approach.  On the call, Sonke will provide an overview of Ofcom’s current thinking on spectrum management with particular focus on how the principles of liberalization impact the availability, efficiency, release, and usage policies for spectrum in the UK.  He will provide insight into the UK’s approach to spectrum regulation as aspects of the regime are increasingly being adopted by other administrations both in Europe and other regions.  Also on the call, analysts Berge Ayvazian and Caroline Gabriel will provide an update and assessment of the rapidly evolving WiMAX/4G markets in Europe, where Yankee Group predicts the WiMAX subscriber base is expected to hit 12 million by 2011.  This presentation will focus on the major markets in Western Europe, including Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain.  These markets will have major impact on maturation of mobile WiMAX market opportunity, although WiMAX will face a strong challenge expected to come from homogeneous 3GSM community if and when LTE becomes a reality.  The call is open to the members of GDC and GDC Ecosystem Partners.  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova.

Yankee Group, the independent technology research and consulting firm and GDC partner, has added 14 new reports to the members-only section of the GDC website. The topics covered include: (1) WiMAX In China: Opportunities And Challenges; (2) Modest WiMAX Market Grows Despite Uncertainty; (3) Open Access Is The New Black; (4) ITU Brings WiMAX Into The IMT-2000 Fold; (5) Mobile Internet Utopia: Imagine If Supply Could Satisfy Demand; (6) What’s Next For Sprint Nextel? (7) Yankee Group Global Regulatory Roundup.  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova.

Due to a high demand from GDC members, the Jan. 15 Committee conference call was recorded and will be available for replay until Feb. 14.  The call focused on WiMAX/4G challenges and opportunities in Asia Pacific and featured leading analysts Berge Ayvazian, Dr. Phil Marshall and XJ Wang from an independent technology research and consulting firm Yankee Group.  The analysts provided a valuable insight on the strategies for success in pursuing opportunities in the fast-growing WiMAX/4G markets in Asia Pacific, and focused on such fast-growing markets as India, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia and China.  The Yankee Group presentation is available in the members-only section of the GDC website.  The next GDC call is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 11 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).  For more information or to obtain the details on call playback, please contact GDC Liaison Susan Polyakova.

GDC will host a roundtable on WiMAX/4G spectrum regulations in Asia Pacific on Wednesday, March 19 at WiMAX World Asia in Bangkok, Thailand.  The availability of suitable licensed spectrum is critical for WiMAX deployments.  Moderated by GDC Co-Chair Tajit Mehta of Sprint Nextel, this regulatory roundtable will gather regulators from Asia Pacific markets to discuss WiMAX policy for digital inclusion and economic development.  The panel will feature two prominent government leaders from Malaysia and China:  They are Toh Swee Hoe, Senior Director Research & Planning Division at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and Professor Ruming Chen, who is Vice Director of the Telecom Technology Committee and Chairman of Expert Consultancy Committee at the People’s Republic of China Ministry of Information Industry.  The panel will begin at 13:45 (local time).  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova or see agenda on the WiMAX World Asia website. 

WiMAX/4G challenges and opportunities in Asia Pacific and the current global financial credit crunch will be the key topics discussed at the next monthly conference call of the WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC) on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Time).  The call will feature leading analysts Berge Ayvazian, Dr. Phil Marshall and XJ Wang from an independent technology research and consulting firm Yankee Group.  They will provide a valuable insight on the strategies for success in pursuing opportunities in the fast-growing WiMAX/4G markets in Asia Pacific, and especially in India, where WiMAX subscriber base is expected to hit four million by 2011.  Also on the call, the analysts will examine the impact of the global credit crunch where capital flowing to communications companies around the world has been drying up at a significant pace, threatening the expansion of business, new network build-outs and the ability to raise money, especially by mid-size and small companies with riskier business models.  Call participants will also be able to ask questions on financing problems faced by many WiMAX/4G players, and the analysts will offer tips for success on how those problems can be minimized.  The call will also address additional issues regarded as top priority by GDC members.  Yankee Group is a respected source of deep insight and counsel on the impact of global connectivity revolution on enterprises and consumers.  Yankee Group has a global presence including operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.  The Jan. 15 call is open to members of the GDC and its Ecosystem Partners Subcommittee.  For more information, please contact Susan Polyakova.

WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC) held a successful conference call this week  about WiMAX challenges and opportunities in Latin America.  The call featured two distinguished guest speakers: Brazilian regulator ANATEL Manager of Spectrum Engineering Marcos de Oliveira and Senza Fili Consulting Founder and President Monica Paolini.  The regulator examined recent developments in Brazil’s broadband wireless access regulation, existing spectrum and the upcoming technology neutral auction for 3.5 GHz WiMAX licenses, which is expected to take place in early 2008.  He also spoke about issues surrounding mobility and the convergence of fixed and mobile services and applications.  The consultant expert on wireless technologies focused on WiMAX challenges and opportunities in Latin America.  She detailed specific market trends and spoke regarding the important role indoor high-capacity coverage plays in WiMAX deployments.  The next GDC conference call is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time).  For more information, please contact GDC liaison Susan Polyakova.

ANATEL Manager of Spectrum Engineering Marcos de Oliveira will be a guest speaker on the upcoming Global Development Committee (GDC) conference call on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time).  ANATEL has been leading the way in creating a favorable regulatory environment to encourage next-generation technology deployments in Brazil.  The regulator developed rules for the 2.5-2.7 GHz and 3.5-3.6GHz band and just announced an auction for 3.5 GHz WiMAX licenses in the beginning of 2008.  Mr. de Oliveira will speak about these developments and also cover other topics of interest to GDC members, including broadband wireless roaming, broadband wireless service restrictions (mobility, portability), role of broadband wireless in a Latin American country, the status of broadband wireless regulation in Brazil, existing and new spectrum bands for broadband wireless (recent Public Consultation on 700 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.3 GHz), and WiMAX vs. 3G.  Also speaking on the call will be Senza Fili Consulting Founder and President Monica Paolini, who is an expert in wireless technologies and has been providing consulting services to WiMAX/4G companies worldwide.  Her presentation will focus on WiMAX challenges and opportunities in Latin America.  The call is open to members of the GDC and its Ecosystem Partners Subcommittee.  For more information, please contact GDC liaison Susan Polyakova.

WiMAX challenges and opportunities in Latin America will be the focus of the Dec. 18 monthly conference call of the WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC).  The call’s featured speaker will be Senza Fili Consulting Founder and President Monica Paolini, who is an expert in wireless technologies and has helped clients worldwide to understand technology and customer requirements, evaluate business plan opportunities, market their services, and estimate the market size and revenue opportunity of specific services.  The topics she will discuss include: (1) Market trends: adoption of Mobile WiMAX, comparison with WiMAX adoption in other regions; (2) Challenges: availability of mobile devices, cost of CPEs, spectrum availability, interference, indoor coverage; (3) The latest input from operators: they are ready to move forward, but equipment availability is lagging behind.  Paolini will also discuss some of the major findings of her recent report on the future of WiMAX industry, entitled WiMAX: Ambitions and Reality.  The call will also address additional issues regarded as top priority by GDC members.  As a membership benefit, GDC member companies qualify for a discount on the report discussed during the call.  For more information or to obtain the discount code, please contact liaison Susan Polyakova.

Leading WiMAX and 4G operators from around the globe will convene on Jan. 16 and 17 for the Global Development Committee's bi-annual  meeting, which is part of the WCA’s International Symposium & Business Expo from Jan. 16-19 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA.  Led by GDC Co-Chairmen Tajit Mehta of Sprint Nextel and José Luiz Frauendorf of NEOTEC, the first part of the meeting on Jan.16 will focus on the issues of global spectrum harmonization and roaming economies, and will feature Sprint Nextel Director of CDMA International Roaming John Dubois.  It is scheduled from 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Pacific Time) in the Glen Ellen Room.  For more information or to join GDC, please contact WCA Communications Director and GDC liaison Susan Polyakova at susan@wcai.com.

Top officials from leading investment companies will meet with international operators on Jan. 16 at the Global Carrier Investment Forum to discuss the global flow of broadband investments.  The Forum  (and a new WCA committee on the topic) will facilitate relationship between financiers, analysts and broadband wireless providers -- especially international carriers seeking funding to provide WiMAX/4G services in the most promising growth markets.  The conference is part of the WCA’s 13th Annual International Symposium & Business Expo from Jan. 16-19 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA.  Intel Capital Vice President Sriram Viswanathan, a key figure in assessing partners for the company’s investments into broadband worldwide, will deliver the keynote at 13:30 (ET).  Earthlink Municipal Wireless President Donald Berryman and Bear Stearns Equity Research Analyst Philip Cusick will lead the opening session with an analysis of the emerging municipal wireless business model, and its impact on the U.S. domestic broadband wireless market.  The half-day agenda features venture capitalists, other investment professionals, and international carriers assessing investment opportunities for the accelerating roll-out of WiMAX and other wireless broadband technologies.  As investment in the broadband wireless industry ramps up both domestically and internationally, the WCA Carrier Investment Forum fulfills its promise to provide timely and newsworthy topics offering breakthrough investment strategies.

The worldwide broadband wireless next generation carrier Clearwire and South African broadband service provider Korbitec are the most recent members of WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC).  The Committee’s fast-growing carrier membership (now numbering two dozen service providers) will have its semi-annual meeting at the Symposium to convene major carriers focused on roaming agreements and related interoperability issues.  The carriers, and a subcommittee of WCA-vendor members who are supportive vendors, are focused on WiMAX and other Fourth Generation technology in the 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5-3.6 GHz bands.

The executive president of Venezuela’s major carrier MovilMax will speak on its forthcoming deployment of WiMAX technology at WCA’s annual International Symposium & Business Expo, which is Jan. 16-19 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA.  Dick Abanto, who serves also as president of MovilMax affiliate OmniVision C.A., will describe progress on its by-then ongoing deployment in the 2.5-2.7  GHz band using equipment provided by Samsung, the pioneering manufacturer of WiBro equipment closely congruent that developed via the WiMAX Forum certification process.  OmniVision, based in Caracas, was founded in 1980 and is a pioneer in subscription TV in Venezuela.  Via MovilMax, OmniVision plans to pioneer mobile WiMAX service in Caracas by December of this year.  Details:  OmniVision Website.  MovilMax/OmniVision are WCA members and their president is an active member of WCA’s Global Development Committee (GDC).  The Committee’s fast-growing carrier membership (now numbering two dozen) will have its semi-annual meeting also at the Symposium to convene major carriers focused on roaming agreements and related interoperability issues.  The carriers, and a subcommittee of WCA-vendor members who are supportive vendors, are focused on WiMAX and other Fourth Generation technology in the 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5-3.6 GHz bands.

WCA this week launched the Vendor Subcommittee to its fast-growing Global Development Committee (GDC) and announced the first six members.  The Subcommittee, which includes Alcatel, ArrayComm, Intel, Motorola, Redline Communications and Samsung, held its first conference call this week to discuss its goals and chart the course for its future work.  To become a Subcommittee member, a company must be willing to actively participate in the GDC work toward common goals. Specifically, the vendor must: (1) Designate at least one representative who will regularly participate in GDC monthly conference calls and attend Committee biannual meetings in San Jose and Washington, D.C.; (2) Be willing to recommend agenda ideas for GDC meetings and conference calls; (3) Be willing to recommend carriers for GDC membership and reach out to those carriers encouraging their involvement; (4) Submit national spectrum charts and white papers for the GDC website; (5) Have significant interest in one of the major 4G bands and international issues; (6) Share the goal of internationally harmonized spectrum in those bands; (7) Be a WCA member.  To join the GDC Vendor Subcommittee, please contact WCA's liaison Susan Polyakova (susan@wcai.com), or Sprint Nextel, Broadband Spectrum, Tajit Mehta (Tajit.Mehta@sprint.com).  For further details, please visit the Subcommittee Website.

WCA’s Global Development Committee Expands Its Membership Base Worldwide
WCA’s rapidly growing Global Development Committee (GDC) has expanded its membership base worldwide to include the largest broadband wireless spectrum rights-holders in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Brazil, with participation from other leaders in India, Africa, the Mideast and elsewhere.  Launched at WCA 2006 last summer, GDC is a unique new body to centralize information about global band plans in order to foster harmonization, roaming agreements and other efficiencies.  The focus is primarily on 4G planning in 2.3, 2.5-2.7 and 3.5-3.6 GHz bands.  The committee is co-chaired by Sprint Nextel and Brazil’s TVA.  GDC membership is open to WCA member companies who have significant spectrum in WiMAX or other 4G frequency bands.  Membership is restricted to operators, although plans are underway for affiliate membership for the most relevant suppliers if operators so desire.  In addition to GDC’s monthly conference calls, email distribution system and series of invitational on-site visits by members to explore each other’s trial results, the committee’s next meeting will be held at WCA’s International Symposium & Business Expo from Jan. 16-19 in San Jose, CA.  For more information on Committee benefits and membership, visit GDC website or contact WCA’s liaison Susan Polyakova.

BWA Market Shares & Growth Charted By Maravedis
WCA member Maravedis Research has released several key charts from its newly published “WiMAX and Broadband Wireless (Sub-11GHz) Worldwide Market Analysis and Trends 2006-2012” (fourth edition). Among the findings are that the BWA market (sub-11GHz) has grown from US$562 million in 2004 to US$637 million in 2005, representing an 18% increase. According to Maravedis, the WiMAX-certified equipment market will reach $140 million in 2006, thereby representing 17% of the entire BWA industry. Maravedis predicts an accumulated 87 million BWA subscribers by the end of 2012, 67 million of which will be WiMAX subscribers. The charts posted on WCA's website include the WiMAX market share of eight prominent manufacturers in 2006, along with projected market shares in key countries to 2012, and total BWA market size globally until 2012. Details. The full report is available via: www.maravedis-bwa.com.

WCA Files Reply To Oppositions To Petition For Reconsideration Of BRS 1/2 Relocation Rules
WCA submitted a reply to the FCC responding to the oppositions filed by Ad Hoc MDS Alliance and, more importantly, United States Cellular Corp. against WCA's petition for reconsideration. U.S. Cellular had conceded that interference from non-cochannel AWS to BRS channels 1 and 2 is possible prior to relocation of BRS to the 2496-2500 MHz band. Thus WCA reiterated the need for prior coordination to assure that interference to existing BRS wireless broadband subscribers not occur.

FCC Commencing Process For OMB Approval Of New BRS/EBS Rules
FCC sought comment on whether the new paperwork requirements on licensees and/or proponents the Commission adopted as part of the April 2006 Second Order that substantially changed the BRS/EBS rules comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act. This is the first step towards securing the Office of Management and Budget approval necessary for these rules to become effective. Comments are due Sept. 15.

FCC Clarifies Procedures For Exchanging Channels Between BRS & EBS
The FCC Wireless Bureau issued a Public Notice providing guidance on how licensees should file applications to exchange channels between the BRS and EBS. The Commission recently amended its rules to clarify "that the EBS eligibility restrictions do not prevent channel swapping to further the transition." The new rules took effect on July 19.

WCA Counsel: FCC BRS/EBS Order's Reconsideration Is 'The Final Cleanup Of The Rules'
Adoption of the changes to the FCC Broadband Radio Service/Educational Broadband Service order requested by the WCA in its last week's petition for reconsideration would be "the final cleanup of the rules," WCA Counsel Paul Sinderbrand told Communications Daily in an interview: "None of the issues here are what I would consider to be showstoppers. It is important that the Commission fix them, but nothing here is going to keep the industry from moving forward in the interim."

FCC Releases Order On BRS/EBS Rule Rewrite
The FCC released today the 199-page text of the order modifying rules for 2496-2690 MHz Broadband Radio Service (BRS)/Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum band. The FCC adopted the order at its April 12 open meeting, capping a proceeding initiated by the WCA in 2002. WCA is reviewing the order, with a preliminary view that it is very much a mixed bag for the industry. We shall provide more in-depth analysis next week, beginning with the most relevant committees of volunteers who have assisted in the effort to reband the spectrum for optimal deployments of broadband services. Also, WCA 2006 will have a number of sessions exploring the implications of the FCC decision on the growth and development of the wireless broadband industry. Last Friday, the FCC released a related order, which established the rules and policies that will govern the relocation of BRS channel 1 and 2 from 2150-2162 MHz to the 2496-2690 MHz band. Led by WCA Counsel Paul Sinderbrand, the association provided extensive analysis of that order to relevant committees in conference calls on Monday and today.

FCC Modifies Rules for BRS/EBS Spectrum Band
Capping a proceeding initiated by the WCA in 2002, the FCC adopted an order Wednesday that affirms in part (and changes in part) the rules for Broadband Radio Service (BRS) and Educational Broadband Service (EBS) licenses in the 2.5-2.7 GHz band. Specifically, the FCC agreed with WCA, modifying the process for transitioning to the new BRS/EBS band plan by changing the transition planning area from Major Economic Areas to Basic Trading Areas. It also adopted last week's joint proposal by WCA and the Catholic Television Network (CTN), permitting BRS and EBS licensees to enter into excess capacity leases for a maximum of 30 years but requiring that leases with terms of 15 years or longer must include a right to review the educational use requirements of the leases at 15, 20 and 25 years. Chairman Kevin Martin praised WCA and CTN for reaching a consensus on the issue. "Encouraging education and promoting the deployment of commercial broadband services are both important goals of the Commission, and we believe the leasing provisions the Commission adopts today will support them both," Martin and Commissioner Deborah Tate said in a joint statement. Concurring in part, Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said in a statement he was "very pleased" to support the WCA-CTN compromise. Commissioner Copps concurred, saying in a statement the Commission "may be going too far" in authorizing 30-year lease terms.

As proposed by WCA, the FCC also allowed BRS and EBS licensees the option to self transition to the new band plan in markets where a proponent has not come forward or withdrawn an initiation plan. In addition, the FCC established a mechanism for eliminating overlaps between grandfathered EBS E and F channel licensees and co-channel BRS licensees by geographically splitting the overlap area as proposed by WCA, CTN and NIA. It affirmed that BRS and Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) operators can share a segment of the band at 2496-2500 MHz. Details. In a companion order, the FCC also adopted rules governing relocation of BRS channel 1 and 2 and Fixed Service licensees to clear spectrum for Advanced Wireless Service. WCA issued a press statement commending the FCC for acting to resolve the major outstanding issues with respect to the largest commercial broadband wireless spectrum band in lower frequencies. If the text of the rules is released relatively quickly WCA will plan a conference call to supplement the BRS/EBS Rules Tutorial that will be held at WCA 2006 on Tuesday, June 27 in Washington, D.C. The text of complicated FCC orders sometimes can take weeks or longer to be released after a decision is announced at an Open Meeting.

BRS Operators Committee To Resume Calls, With Sioux Valley Wireless As New Chair
Featuring discussion of the FCC's rulings this week, WCA's Broadband Radio Service Operators Committee is resuming its biweekly schedule of conference calls beginning next Wednesday, April 19. The Committee has been largely dormant the past two months while awaiting the FCC decisions. Joel Brick, wireless technical director at the South Dakota-based carrier Sioux Valley Wireless, has been named chair of the committee, succeeding Steve Garber of NTELOS, who has WCA's warm thanks for his service. A longtime WCA member and deputy chair of the committee, the new chair has 26 years of experience in radio communications systems design and installation. He is experienced in both the legal and licensing issues for both radio and wireless, and has been an effective advocate for small market operators for years. His present responsibilities at Sioux Valley include directing wireless television and wireless data activities. Additionally, he provides planning and engineering for Sioux Valley Southwestern Electric Cooperative in Colman, S.D. (Sioux Valley Wireless' parent company). Gryphon Wireless CEO Leigh Ann Spellman, whose system is based in Kearney, Nebraska, will continue as deputy chair, with an expanded role in helping organize agendas. An early provider of NLOS and plug-and-play services, her system also serves a small market. She visited WCA's offices in Washington today, and we had an opportunity to discuss plans for an active agenda through the spring for the committee.

The conference call next week will feature WCA Counsel Paul Sinderbrand providing an in-depth analysis of FCC decision-making affecting BRS, to the extent known at the time. Participants in committee's calls and meetings must be employed full-time by a WCA member BRS service provider company that has subscribers. In other words, neither licensees nor outside counsel or engineering consultants are permitted to join the discussions. To obtain the dial-in number or determine eligibility, kindly contact WCA Communications Director Susan Polyakova (susan@wcai.com).

FCC Schedules BRS & EBS Reconsideration Decision For April 12 Meeting
Following numerous recent filings in a major, multi-year proceeding on the largest broadband wireless licensed spectrum band in lower frequencies, the FCC has scheduled for its April 12 Open Meeting a decision on reconsideration petitions in the frequency band 2.5 to 2.7 GHz. This spectrum band includes the Broadband Radio Service (BRS) for commercial operators and the Educational Broadband Service (EBS), the only licensed band in the U.S. designated for educational providers, who frequently lease excess capacity to commercial providers. WCA has led the effort to have the band plan revised to enable widespread deployments, including mobile broadband. WCA in coordination with industry and education leaders submitted in 2002 a joint proposal to the FCC, which issued a decision in June 2004 that is the subject of extensive reconsideration petitions, including those by WCA. WCA and the Catholic Television Network submitted a joint statement this week to the FCC on the issue of length of lease terms.

WCA, CTN Reach Compromise On EBS Spectrum Lease Terms
After lengthy discussion, WCA as representative of the broadband wireless industry and the education community reached a compromise on the issues surrounding the maximum permissible term of Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum leases. The joint agreement filed with the FCC Wednesday afternoon would provide EBS licensees with the maximum flexibility to evaluate and meet their needs in the 2.5 GHz band, while giving commercial licensees the certainty they need to devote capital to the EBS band. The issue will be part of a bigger order the FCC plans to vote on at its April 12 meeting. Specifically, WCA and the Catholic Television Network asked the FCC to amend its lease term limit rule by adding the following provisions: (1) The maximum permissible term of an EBS spectrum leasing arrangement shall be 30 years. (2) In furtherance of the educational purposes for which EBS spectrum is primarily allocated, any spectrum leasing arrangement in excess of 15 years must include terms which provide the EBS licensee on the fifteenth year and every five years thereafter, with an opportunity to access additional services, equipment or support its educational use requirements. (3) While the Commission expects the parties to negotiate in good faith, it does not intend to review an EBS licensee's assessment of its possible future needs or the terms and conditions governing the EBS licensee's acquisition of additional services, capacity, support and/or equipment.

Major Investment Firm Opposes EBS Spectrum Lease Term Restrictions
Madison Dearborn Partners - one of the largest and most experienced private equity investment firms in the U.S. - filed an ex parte statement with the FCC in opposition to a proposal that would limit the maximum possible term of any lease of Educational Broadband Service (EBS) spectrum. "Based on our experience as an investor and financial advisor to the telecommunications industry, we believe that, if the FCC imposes a lease term limit of less than 30 or 40 years or includes provisions that require a periodic re-assessment of the lease terms as a condition to long term leases, insufficient capital will flow to businesses that want to develop EBS spectrum for intensive broadband use."In a separate ex parte, Columbia Capital - a venture capital firm specializing in the communications and information technology industries - urged the FCC to provide a regulatory platform for the 2.5 GHz band that is free of any lease term limits of less than 35 years and renegotiation requirements.

WCA, NIA, CTN Ask FCC To Address EBS White Space Auction Rules
The WCA, the National ITFS Association and Catholic Television Network asked the FCC to confirm that the rules and policies governing the EBS White Space Auction will be addressed in WT Docket No. 03-66, and not in the WT Docket No. 05-211. The latter examines implementation of the Commercial Spectrum Enhancement Act and modernization of the Commission's competitive bidding rules and procedures. Otherwise, they said, the FCC should reaffirm its prior finding that bidding credits should not be available for auctions of EBS spectrum.

WCA Pushes For Longer EBS Spectrum Leases
WCA's letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin advocating longer education spectrum leases received extensive coverage by the Washington, D.C. trade press, including TR Daily, Communications Daily and RCR Wireless News. The letter was accompanied by the Phoenix Center's independent study, which concluded that "applying the 15-year lease limit to EBS licenses is not in the public interest and threatens the efficient use of [the 2.5 GHz] band."

WCA Extends Sympathy Over The Passing Of CommSpeed General Manager Mark Davis
Virginia Communications, Inc. sadly announced the passing away of Mark Davis, General Manager of their CommSpeed operation in Northern Arizona. Steve Merrill, Virginia Communications President said, "Mark was an enthusiastic and tireless champion of the wireless broadband industry, an excellent manager and very instrumental in the successful development of our 9,000-customer business in Arizona. He is sorely missed by all of us who worked with him. His passing was completely unexpected and has left a stunning void in our lives and the lives of his wife and children and the community in which he played such an active part."

Mark's family has requested that condolences be expressed through donations to the Friends of the Prescott Library, 215 E. Goodwin, Prescott, AZ 86303.

WCA, Sioux Valley Wireless, W.A.T.C.H. TV Urge Fair Treatment For BRS Operators
A WCA-led delegation held a series of meetings with FCC officials this week seeking fair treatment of BRS channel 1 and 2 operators relocated from the 2150-2162 MHz band. It stressed the need for the Commission to adopt rules and policies that permit BRS licensees to continue adding subscribers until moved and assure that they are fully compensated for the costs associated with the relocation. It also criticized the proposal that BRS operators estimate their relocation costs 10-15 years in the future and be limited to only 110% of that estimate, even if not relocated for 15 years. "It is simply not possible for us to estimate what our costs will be that far in advance," said WCA General Counsel Paul Sinderbrand. Officials from Sioux Valley Wireless, W.A.T.C.H. TV and WCA met with Commissioners Michael Copps, Jonathan Adelstein, Deborah Tate and their legal advisors, as well as Fred Campbell, legal advisor to Chairman Kevin Martin. Details. Separate ex parte meetings were held with officials from the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Wireless Bureau. Details.

WCA Files Replies Comments In Roaming Proceeding
WCA urged the FCC to reject the NY3G's proposal that roaming requirements be extended to Broadband Radio Service/Educational Broadband Service (BRS/EBS) providers in the 2.5 GHz band. "NY3G merely rehashes arguments that the Commission rejected just four months earlier, when it denied NY3G's petition to impose similar requirements as a condition to Commission approval" of the Sprint-Nextel merger, said WCA in reply comments. Since then, NY3G has presented no new arguments.

WCA's Meeting With FCC Officials Focuses On BRS Channel 1 & 2 Relocation
A WCA delegation to the FCC stressed the need for BRS system operators to control their own relocation process from the 2150-2162 MHz. During the ex parte meeting with FCC officials, WCA stressed the differences between the relocation of BRS consumer-based operations and prior relocations. WCA seeks relocation cost compensation consistent with those in the 800 MHz transition. WCA also opposes a 10-year sunset of AWS relocation compensation obligations.