WIMAX: "700 MHz will make WiMax extremely attractive"

What are some of the WiMax initiatives of Intel in India? Could you share
results of some pilots with service providers in this regard?

We have a three-pronged WiMax strategy: One, influence the government to
catalyze the adoption of standards-based WiMax. Two, help early adopters of
WiMax such as broadband operators, ISPs, and rural service providers. Three,
influence local designers and manufacturers of products (both devices and
communication equipments).

Through a MoU with the Ministry of Communications and IT, we shall be jointly
benchmarking WiMax as a viable broadband technology for both urban and rural use
in India. The specifics of that trial would be to model a hub-spoke architecture
using fiber and wireless as combinatorial options. The trial will also be about
learning and adopting different system performances parameters based on
frequency used, antenna types and heights, and traffic mix (data, voice, and
other time-sensitive information). These will help the government recommend
specific aspects of technology as part of its State Wide Area Network (SWAN)
policy.

We are also closely working with the governments of Uttaranchal, Karnataka
and Kerala to help pilot WiMax to connect villages to blocks, blocks to
districts and districts to state-level telecom backbones in a hierarchical
fashion. These are both technology as well as service delivery trials. These
trials will focus on service performance, network topology planning based on
terrain conditions and demand models, and spectrum reuse.

Also, as part of our worldwide carrier programs, we announced last year our
intent to work with Reliance Infocomm and several others operators in deploying
and benchmarking WiMax networks for both home and enterprise use. As we are at
different stages of pilot implementations with Indian carriers, it's hard for
me to give a status report out yet, but you will hopefully start seeing results
by end of Q1 or beginning of Q2, 2005. We are making good progress.

Which frequency is most suitable for WiMax in the country? What are the
regulatory issues involved and what's Intel's view on those?

The 3.4-3.6 GHz band is the most globally harmonized licensed band for
broadband wireless access (BWA) today. Given that India stands to greatly
benefit from BWA, we have been working closely with the Indian regulatory
agencies, TRAI and WPC, to open up the 3.3-3.4 GHz band.

The ITU has been developing global recommendations for the 2.5-2.69 GHz band,
which is suited for future laptops with integrated WiMax technology. Our hope is
that India will allocate this band in a technology neutral manner.

In the license-exempt 5.8 GHz band, we expect to see point-to-multipoint
solutions. However, we don't expect peaceful coexistence of multiple operators
in 5.8 GHz spectrum as lot of network etiquette will be needed for that to
happen.

Then there are the sub-GHz bands such as 700 MHz, which makes WiMax
technology extremely attractive for a combined fixed and mobile use. Lower
frequencies consume lower power and cover longer distances, which are
particularly beneficial for mobile usage as well as rural connects.

When do you hope to see actual WiMax deployments in India? What could be
the reasoning?

Pre-standard trials are already on their way. We shall see them going live
in the Q2/Q3 time frame in 2005. Actual deployment would be by Q4. The reason is
that fully compliant products are likely to make commercial shipments by Q3
2005. Also, any such deployment will need appropriate planning, licenses,
strategy for future proofing of investments, etc. Unlike Wi-Fi, WiMax is not
expected to show a viral growth in the unlicensed segment; it will be much more
planned and controlled by telcos. The rural markets however could see faster
growths through smaller wireless ISPs (WISPs)

When do you see WiMax support becoming available on end-user mobile
devices other than laptops (cellphones, PDAs, etc.)?

I think converged mobile devices of the PDA form factor will start adopting
WiMax by 2007-08 timeframe. The challenges are around form factor, power and
price points.