Updated : India To Have 15.8 Mn Wimax Users By 2012 ! Telecom Companies Waiting To Launch Wi-max Facilities In India !

[Honest 836]

India to have 15.8 mn WiMAX users by 2012: Springboard

4 Jul, 2008, 0010 hrs IST

NEW DELHI: India will be the leading market for WiMAX in the Asia pacific and is expected to have 15.8 million WiMAX subscribers by 2012.

With this, India will represent 46.7% of total subscribers in Asia-Pacific and 35.7% of revenues from the region, analyst firm Springboard Research said in a report released on Thursday. It must, however, be pointed out that India had only 3.4 million broadband subscribers as on January 2008, far short of the government’s target of 9 million.

India’s market leadership will be enhanced by support from the government, ambitious investment plans by players like BSNL and Tata Communications, and improvement in fixedline broadband infrastructure, the report explains.

“The next couple of years will be critical for WiMAX growth in Asia Pacific, and during that time, we are expecting services to be available for end users in over 10 countries,” said Springboard research director Bryan Wang.

According to the report, revenues from WiMAX services in Asia Pacific region will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 148% to reach an estimated $5.46 billion by 2012 compared to $58 million in 2007. The chunk of the revenues will be sourced from mobile WiMAX services during the forecast period, the report adds.

“The majority of WiMAX subscribers will be from Korea, Pakistan, India and Australia. At the same time, billions of dollars of investment is going to be spent on WiMAX infrastructures over the next five years, which also creates a big potential market for telecom equipment manufacturers. We see tremendous potential for WiMAX deployment in many emerging markets in the region,” Mr Wang added.

[santhoshavanoor 7]

Its ok, but until now Govt. not released the spectrum for WiMAX in India for operators.

[Arun 795]

High 3G price spoils ISPs' WiMAX dream

Economic Times

3 Jul, 2008, 0141 hrs IST

The government’s decision to double the reserve price for the 3G spectrum auctions spells bad news for many of the country’s stand-alone Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

This is because, the reserve price for the WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) spectrum auction is likely to be set to be a fourth of that for 3G spectrum.

Put simply, this implies that reserve price for an ISP who applies for pan-India WiMAX spectrum will be over Rs 550 crore.

The final price could be several multiples of this depending on the outcome of the auction. ISPs say that a higher reserve price would create a scenario where they would not be able to enter a bidding war with telcos, who too are keen to launch WiMAX services.

Besides, this also implies that the reserve price for a telco, who wants to bid for both WiMAX and 3G radio frequencies will be about Rs 2,800 crore.

Confronted with this grin reality, the Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), the body representing all stand alone ISPs in the country, will soon approach sector regulator TRAI demanding that their members be charged only 25% of the highest bid that a telco makes for WiMAX spectrum in that particular circle during the auction.

“We will tell TRAI that in order to have a competitive market, standalone ISPs must be charged a maximum of 25% of the highest bid that a telco makes for WiMAX spectrum. We will also seek that a few spectrum slots be reserved for ISPs during the WiMAX auction. This is perhaps the only way that government can address the dismal broadband penetration in the country. We (ISPs) will offer a much needed competition to telcos in the WiMAX space, without which they will not roll-out these services,” ISPAI president Rajahs Charier told ET.

Sources say that the DoT wants the WiMax launch be initially restricted to only three players who will operate this service in the 2.5 GHz frequency band where one of the slots is reserved for state-owned BSNL/MTNL.

This contradicts the recommendations of telecom regulator TRAI which had suggested that wireless broadband be rolled out in 3.3-3.4 GHz and 3.4-3.6 Ghz frequencies and up to 13 players be allocated spectrum to offer WiMax services.

At the same time, the DoT also wants to allot WiMAX spectrum to other service providers in the frequencies recommended by TRAI at a later stage after compatibility is established.

While WiMAX is still an evolving technology, it is still considered a threat to third generation mobile services. As per global industry experience, WiMax offers data speeds that are 10-30 times faster than 3G.

To put this in perspective, the data speeds of 3G networks are over five times faster than those offered by 2G cellular networks that telcos in India currently use.

[Honest 836]

Telecom companies waiting to launch Wi-max facilities in India

6 Jul, 2008, 1500 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI: With the government set to announce guidelines for new broadband services, including Wi-Max, the industry has said that market friendly tariffs and a clear spectrum policy should form the bedrock of this much awaited technology to obtain its full benefit.

Once the government rolls out the framework on Wi-Max, this standard-based technology will enable delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternate to cable and DSL and also augment the country's flagship programmes of telemedicine, e-governance and e-education in rural areas.

"India has tremendous potential for Wi-Max. Improved spectrum options, low cost end user devices and market friendly tariffs can make Wi-Max a success", says Tata Communications VP, (Planning - Broadband and Retail Business) Prateek Pashine.

The company has already launched Wi-Max facility in various Indian cities and intends to enter another 115 enterprise and 15 retail cities by March 2009. "We are looking forward to hear from the government," Pashine added.

"The key reason for Wi-Max not taking off in the country is the absence of a policy decision on spectrum for operating. A clarity on this issue will help us to address the growth opportunity offered by the rural areas of the country", T V Sriram, VP-Technology, Bharti Airtel says.

The permission for mobility in the Wi-Max service will also play a role in determining the future of Wi-MAX services in the country, Sriram noted. Explaining the service providers' woes, Manesh Patel, Partner, Telecom Industry Practice, Ernst and Young says, "The companies that are building Wi-Max networks are doing so within narrow frequency bands- much less than what is recommended by the Wi-Max forum."

At present, these service providers are dependent on the incumbent operators for giving them the last-mile connectivity, he adds. Analysts, however, say that although the Wi-Max was traditionally focused on connecting computers to the internet, high cost of customer premise equipment also needs to be addressed.

The Wi-MAX has a communication range of up to 30 miles and sometimes it is enough to cover an entire city, Patel says. Wi-MAX also offers data speed that is around 10-30 times faster than 3G.

One of the equipment manufacturers for Wi-MAX technology, Motorola has recently said that it is planning to bid for BSNL's urban Wi-MAX project. With its 1.2 billion people, India is filled with opportunities and challenges for tech companies. Consumers are eager to stay connected, snapping up 8 million mobile phones per month, Pashine says stressing for an intrusive Wi-Max connectivity in the country.

[copperco2 24]

it seems, govt. is following Ambani's formula here..

first roll out then sort out the glitches..

[Honest 836]

^^^

HA HA HA

Very correct my dear Ajay. You are 100% right.

Our govt. is definetely following the same formula.

Regards.

[Honest 836]

Ministry may reject TRAI draft on WiMAX too

9 Jul, 2008, 0149 hrs IST, ET

NEW DELHI: After turning down TRAI’s recommendations on 3G and deciding to allow foreign players, the communication ministry now plans to throw out the regulator’s recommendations on Broadband Wirelss (also called WiMAX) spectrum auctions, too, and impose its own rules.

While TRAI had said that ISPs, who are successful in the broadband wireless (BWA) auctions, be given licences for five years, the Department of Telecom (DoT) wants to raise this time frame to 15 years. Again, TRAI had said BWA or WiMAX spectrum should be auctioned through a one-stage sealed bid for every circle, but the DoT plans to have a simultaneous ascending e-auction model instead.

Importantly, the DoT’s decision to double the reserve price for the 3G spectrum will have a direct impact on the WiMAX auctions. This is because; the reserve price for the WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) spectrum auction is likely to be set at fourth 3G spectrum price.

This implies, when the policy is announced, the reserve price for BWA auctions is set to be double of that prescribed by TRAI, which is yet another deviation from the regulator’s recommendations.

ET has also learnt that the DoT is set to make further changes to TRAI’s recommendations for BWA spectrum issues. For instance, while TRAI has said that each player must get WiMAX spectrum in contiguous blocks of 15 MHz each in the 3.3 - 3.4 GHz and 3.4 - 3.6 GHz bands, the DoT has a completely different plan in mind: “As per present estimate of availability of spectrum four blocks each of 10 MHz in the 2.5 GHz and 2.3 GHz to be allocated,’ the DoT note on the issue said.

On the auction procedure, the note said: “In place of the above (TRAI’s suggestion of a one-stage sealed bid), it is proposed to have a controlled simultaneously e-auction as similar to that in the case of 3G spectrum. Further, here also when the number of bidders left is equal to the number of blocks of spectrum being auctioned, in any service area, the auction will end.

All the bidders will have to match the bid of the highest bidder. In case they do not match, then that block would be offered to the next highest bidder at the highest bid price. If any block is left vacant, then the block would be re-auctioned”.

[copperco2 24]

considering the political volatility and seeing that SP has some misgivings on the policy issue.. we will have some modifications in this sector too...

for better or for worse.. wait and watch.

[Honest 836]

20 Percent Of Global WiMAX Subscribers By 2012 Will Be Indians

The WiMAX Forum projects that more than 27.5 million Indians will be WiMAX users by 2012. Additional data from this recent WiMAX Forum study estimates that approximately 70 percent of the forecasted WiMAX subscribers by 2012 will utilise mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.

"WiMAX devices and networks are available now for deployment worldwide delivering best in class broadband services at a cost to consumers significantly lower than any other technology. India is clearly making the commitment and taking the steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enables operators to meet the needs of India's diverse and growing population," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. "In addition, an operator's investment to afford the build out of infrastructure and deployment of the service is at the lowest capex and the best ROI models plus the economies of scale created by this demand will help drive down the cost of the wide range of diverse WiMAX devices. All of the leading telecom equipment manufacturers are having their WiMAX Base station and other infrastructure equipment WiMAX Forum Certified™ and are ready to showcase their equipment in India."

Last week, the WiMAX Forum commended the Department of Telecommunications of India for the allocation of and upcoming auction relating to the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz frequency bands. The auction will enable two 20 MHz blocks in both the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands.

The WiMAX Forum is pleased that the Indian government plans to auction blocks in the 700 MHz and 3.3-3.6 GHz bands, as they become available. The WiMAX Forum expects to certify the first 3.5 GHz WiMAX products by the end of 2008 and views 700 MHz as a strong contender for Mobile Internet services, especially in India's low-density rural areas.

The availability of these key bands for WiMAX technology in India will provide its consumers with much needed broadband connectivity across the diverse economic and social needs of the entire population. WiMAX technology has the potential to bridge India's digital divide, offering broadband services in dense urban and suburban areas, rural broadband connectivity to enable high speed wireless applications and services, and enterprise broadband access across the country.

The WiMAX Forum plans to add an Indian certification lab to its existing network by the end of 2008 to stay ahead of the demand for products in this region.

Courtesy : BizTech2

[Honest 836]

BSNL to install WiMax BTS in 1,000 blocks by this fiscal

14 Aug, 2008, 1823 hrs IST, PTI

NEW DELHI : To an effort to boost its rural broadband plan, state-run telco BSNL on Thursday said it is planning to install WiMax base stations in 1,000 blocks across the country by the end of this fiscal that will provide high-speed internet access to 25,000 villages.

"We will be installing WiMax BTS in 1000 blocks out of country's 6000 blocks by the end of current fiscal," said BSNL CMD Kuldeep Goyal.

Rural India is divided into 6000 blocks of population. BSNL has rights to 1000 blocks and has invited tenders for installing a WiMAX base station in each of those blocks to provide connectivity to villages.

By the end of this year, the company expects to provide high speed internet access to 25,000 villages through Common Service Centres (CSCs).

At present, BSNL is actively holding discussions with few vendors for BTS (Base Transceiver Station) equipment and the pilot project is on.

"The proof-of-concept is being installed and will be completed in few months," added Goyal.

At present, BSNL's WiMAX equipment is being supplied by US vendor SOMA Networks.

The CSCs are telecom kiosks to be set up in the villages and are equipped with infrastructures like PCs, printers, software and staff for delivery of e-governance services related to health, education and agricultural information.

As a government run company, BSNL has two distinct programmes in terms of rolling out WiMAX, one to provide commercial broadband services, another to connect rural India to government services online.

[Honest 836]

WiMAX to Soar in India

To boost Indian economy

Along with 3G, India is expecting the launch of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) soon. The WiMAX Forum describes WiMAX as the first commercial technology specifically optimized for mobile broadband.

The "not-for-profit" organization deems that the technology provides a scalable, cost-effective solution that is the strongest candidate to provide high-speed broadband Internet across India. Given its true broadband performance capabilities, early availability, cost advantages, government support and the upcoming auctions relating to the 2.3/2.5 GHz frequency bands, the WiMAX Forum projects that the Indian WiMAX market including devices will be worth $13 billion (Rs. 52,000 crore) in 2012. This market projection takes into account 27.5 million WiMAX users, or 19 million WiMAX subscribers in 2012.

"Soon, big global WiMAX players, including Alcatel-Lucent, Motorola, Huawei, and Samsung -- all are setting up shop in India," says CS Rao, chairman, WiMAX Forum India chapter.

He further adds, "Broadband penetration being low, the opportunity for operators to gain large numbers of subscribers through WiMAX is incredible. Any service provider with innovative service offerings, attractive devices and go-to-market plans that maximize the utility offered by WiMAX technology to price-sensitive Indian customers can use this ready and proven technology to quickly gain market share,"

"India currently has only 4.5 million broadband users out of a population of 1.2 billion people. And with these recent regulatory decisions, India joins other major developed nations such as the US, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Russia in freeing up prime spectrum for mobile WiMAX deployments," said Mr. Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum.

"With the expected demand for WiMAX-enabled devices brought on by India's planned WiMAX deployments, WiMAX Forum will add an Indian certification lab to its existing network in 2009 to stay ahead of the demand for products in this region. This will be very important to the device-hungry Indian market, which can look forward to connected laptops, USB dongles, ultra-mobile PC's (UMPCs), mobile handsets, and mobile Internet devices (MIDs)."

WiMAX Forum predicts that major rollouts of WiMAX technology in India will have a tremendous positive effect on the nation's economy and the widespread access to broadband will greatly increase economic productivity by laying the groundwork for important initiatives, such as distance learning, telemedicine and e-government.

According the government, the Indian economy is currently growing at 9% year over year; in particular there are an additional 8-10 million mobile phone subscribers every month.

Courtesy : Techtree

[Honest 836]

India Projected to Lead Broadband Market

Study forecasts 500% rise in broadband users in India by 2013

According to a recent report released by Point Topic, the telecom market growth we are seeing in India will extend to broadband too.

The report suggests that India can see a growth of almost 500% (489%, to be precise) in the broadband market by 2013. This would be the highest by any broadband market and will place India at the sixth position in the world as compared to its current 18th ranking.

The total broadband connections in the world are expected to rise by 273 million connections, taking the total number to 680 million. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) countries will see a major surge in the connections since they have already passed through the initial phase and are maturing steadily. On the other hand, markets like US, Japan and others, which have more broadband penetration, are saturating because of the difficulty of finding new customers.

Five years down the line, the standings expected are:

1) China

2) USA

3) Japan

4) Germany

5) France

6) India

7) UK

8) Brazil

9) Italy

10) South Korea

Courtesy : Techtree

[Honest 836]

WiMAX bidding likely to be over by Jan

Business Line l 3 Dec l Hyderabad

E-governance plan: Mr A Raja (right), Union Minister for Communications & Information Technology, and Mr Jainder Singh, Secretary, IT, at the Internet Governance Forum in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The Union Government expects to complete the process of bidding for broadband spectrum based on WiMAX technology by January next year. The Government also expects to open the auction for 3G spectrum in December.

“We have already allotted 3G spectrum to both BSNL and MTNL with a view to ensuring early roll out. While MTNL is expected to roll out 3G services by mid-December, BSNL is scheduled to do the same by January-end or February,” Mr A. Raja, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday.

Mr Raja, who was in the city to inaugurate the four-day Internet Governance Forum (IGF), also said that wherever the 3G spectrum was available, there would be three or four slots that will be auctioned to the private players.

“We have also got to know that the existing private operators have got their infrastructure ready to launch 3G services and will do so once we give them the allocation through the auction route,” Mr Raja said.

The department, he said, will also seek an extension to the STPI sunset clause and put the same in the Vote-on Account Budget.

Service centres

He said that the Government through the National e-Governance Plan will be investing around Rs 25,000 crore in the next five years to make available all Government services to the citizens through Common Service Centres (CSCs).

“Under the plan, one lakh village Internet kiosks or CSCs will be set up that will provide access to six lakh villages. Presently, over 20,000 such centres are already in place and we expect the rest of them to be operational by second half of 2009,” Mr Raja said.

Challenges

Mr Nitin Desai, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said that some of the challenges that IGF has identified includes multi-lingualism, cost of Internet access and questions relating to infrastructure.

[Greatest 55]

I am just counting the days yaar.!!

[santhoshavanoor 7]

Hey, One second...

Which platform our operators going to implement? Is it 802.16d(2004) or 802.16e(2006)?

Best is 802.16e. It is truly nomadic and mobile. 802.16d cannot implement for mobile applications. Also once operators installed 802.16d or 802.16e, they cannot upgrade or downgrade their system. It is possible to upgrade from 802.16d to 802.16e, but the cost is more than that of new installation.