Wi-Fi News Briefs

• Meeting of the Clans
• How It Should Be Done?
• Pick Your Partner

by Gerry Blackwell [June 1, 2001]

Meeting of the Clans
It's an indication of how strong the fixed wireless access market has grown that a month in advance of its broadband wireless access show in Boston (June 24 to 27), the Wireless Communications Association International announced it had already pre-registered a record 1,000 delegates.

Never in the history of the broadband wireless access industry have so many delegates registered so far in advance for a conference, the organization said. The WCA is a non-profit trade association representing the fixed wireless broadband industry. The show is WCA 2001: Broadband Now!

The conference will feature a couple of notable firsts. Service providers using license exempt wireless frequencies will hold a planning and organizational meeting on June 27 in conjunction with the main event.

And in a late addition to the main conference agenda, a panel of industry bigwigs will debate the future of broadband wireless in a session entitled, "Battling For Spectrum By Fixed, 3-G & Satellite: Who Is Building Broadband?"

WCA's License Exempt Alliance, the expanded successor group to the task force for unlicensed spectrum providers created in 1999, will hold its meeting at 10 a.m. on June 27.

"This is a critical juncture for vendors and carriers to convene to plan for the future," said Air2LAN chairman and CEO Jai Bhagat, who was elected last month to WCA's board of directors and named chairman of WCA's License Exempt Alliance.

"WCA has an effective track-record in mobilizing the industry into action on issues that will lead the sector into its exciting next stages," Bhagat observed.

The agenda includes approval of a mission statement and selection of officers—nominations in June, a discussion of spectrum coordination options—focusing initially on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and reports from public relations, government relations, technology and engineering and multi-dwelling unit (MDU) task groups.

"License-exempt carriers will continue to be among the most successful players in the growth of fixed wireless broadband access," noted WCA President Andrew Kreig. "We are confident that the Alliance will make great progress at the June meeting."

Meanwhile, sparks are almost guaranteed to fly at the future-of-broadband-wireless panel. The session will be moderated by Carmel Group Chairman and CEO Jimmy Schaeffler, whose consulting company has authored recent research reports on 3G mobile technology, satellite advanced services and fixed wireless broadband access.

Panelists include Sprint Vice President for Federal Regulatory Affairs Jay Keithley, Motorola Director of Telecommunications Regulation Steve Sharkey, Winstar Communications Senior Director for Standards, Dr. Jay Ramasastry and Washington Space Business Roundtable chairman Frank Weaver of The Boeing Company.

These experts are best known for advocating, respectively, fixed wireless MMDS, 3G mobile, fixed wireless HDFS and satellite technologies. Flak jacket recommended.

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How It Should Be Done?
Independent wireless service providers might want to take note of what AT&T Wireless is doing in the fixed wireless realm. And then they might want to take a leaf out of AT&T's book.

The company has quietly been rolling out its Digital Broadband fixed wireless service in mid-size cities. The service offers high-speed Internet access and voice services to residential customers.

Digital Broadband uses 1.9 GHz (PCS) and 2.3 GHz (WCS) licensed spectrum, which allows non-line-of-sight service and DSL-class throughput.

Unlike too many entrepreneurial service providers, AT&T isn't forgetting about little details like customer service. It announced recently it was outsourcing contact center services to Cincinnati OH-based Convergys Corp.

Convergys bills itself as "the global leader in integrated billing and customer care services." The deal appears to be one more signal that AT&T is getting serious about Digital Broadband.

Once known as Project Angel, Digital Broadband hasn't been a secret exactly, but AT&T has only begun to talk it up lately because it's beginning to have some modest success.

Within the last year, the company has launched service in the Dallas-Fort Worth, San Diego, Houston, and Anchorage markets, with additional market launches planned for 2001.

The value proposition for customers is scary if you're a potential competitor.

"AT&T Digital Broadband service allows customers to choose a local service provider, delivers high-speed Internet access and offers competitive long distance rates - all in one package and on a single bill," said Bob Beckert, vice president for AT&T Wireless customer care.

And the addition of the Convergys customer support services makes it a lot more likely it will succeed. "AT&T Wireless realizes that making people comfortable with new technology is vital to building its business," said Ron Schultz, president of Convergys Customer Management.

"Through our integrated contact centers, Convergys helps companies like AT&T extend the human touch that helps customers adopt and benefit from new technology."

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Pick Your Partner
Despite the surprising strength of the fixed wireless market, it seems clear there will be consolidation in the industry. Sonik Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of Vytek Wireless Inc. proved the point recently by acquiring the broadband wireless spread spectrum product line of Torrance CA-based RadioConnect Corp.

The RadioConnect acquisition includes 2.4 GHz license-free spread spectrum products that are used for high-speed data, voice and video connections in point-to-point and point-to-multipoint networks.

Current customers include telephone carriers, energy companies, government agencies, public safety agencies, and global Internet service providers who, according to RadioConnect, appreciate the longer range, higher reliability and superior security of RadioConnect products.

Vytek, a consulting, applications software and infrastructure company working as "catalysts for wide deployment of wireless data solutions," acquired Sonik last October. Sonik is a mobile and fixed wireless equipment provider.

"The acquisition of the internationally respected RadioConnect line significantly broadens our product and technology base," said Sonik president Kevin Slatnick.

"Broadband products are among the fastest growth sectors in the wireless market, and Sonik is now in an even better position to provide clients with comprehensive wireless solutions."

—End