Unwired Fiji has selected Motorola to deploy its next-generation WiMAX network in Fiji. A very positive development. Coming in front of the July 17th announcement, it’s proof that operators are willing to invest in considerable upgrades that expand network coverage and increase performance.
From Communications Direct:
Motorola announced today that it has been selected by Uniwired Fiji to design and deploy an end-to-end 8012.16e-based WiMAX network to upgrade and provide increased capacity to the operator’s existing network for expansion of network coverage and capacity.
In the Philippines, The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has allowed Globe Telecom to ‘make permanent its mobile internet service for post-paid subscribers’. The company offers monthly subscriptions starting at PHP149 (USD3.1), giving ten hours of mobile internet. A low-priced introductory service option is critical for expanding Internet usage in the population.
Governments are reassessing regulations toward telecommunications as they look for investment in next-generation wireless networks. In Vietnam, significant reforms are being put in place, including provisions for foreign-ownership of network infrastructure. According to a Telegeography update:
… the country’s draft Bill of Law on Telecommunication has been put forward for discussion at the National Assembly Steering Committee. If passed, the bill will allow private companies to build network infrastructure for the first time and will open up the telecoms market to foreign investors, as part of Vietnam’s commitment to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
In the Asia-Pacific region, there’s a great deal of activity that impacts the deployment of wireless networks and services. Again we see governments taking steps to change policies and increase investment in next-generation networks. A nation like Vietnam opening itself up to outside investment in telecom infrastructure is a sign of how old attitudes are making way for new pragmatism.
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April 29, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Emmanuel
Interesting, so what’s the coverage of Unwired’s WiMax network?
April 30, 2009 at 4:55 am
dionisia
Hi CW,
Seems to me WiMAX is the more popular choice technology for wireless broadband Internet delivery. FINTEL’s Kidanet is using WiMAX and also TFL’s Connect.
I was wondering about TFL’s CDMA 2000 and whether it was worth it for them to invest in it at all. Everyone’s going WiMAX, why do you think TFL chose CDMA, with such limited coverage?
May 3, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Coconut Wireless
E, I think Dionisia is better placed to speak about Unwired’s network coverage. I read somewhere that it’s Suva and some surrounding areas. Hopefully she’ll enlighten us
We hope the launch of the new network means expansion of coverage beyond the capital.
May 3, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Coconut Wireless
D, your comment got me thinking about TFL and I’m working on a post now that might answer your question.
Basically, it depends on what services TFL hopes to offer. CDMA 2000 is considered a 2.5g technology, which will limit it for delivering mobile broadband.
Expect the ATH family and Digicel to back the LTE family and others to be behind WiMAX.
WiMAX is and will remain a popular option for service providers developing/majority world countries, because it is cheaper to deploy.
May 25, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Emmanuel
Speaking of WiMax, you might be interested in having a look at PANGTEL’s new Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS): http://masalai.wordpress.com/2009/05/24/pangtels-automated-spectrum-management-system-asms/
June 12, 2009 at 7:18 pm
dionisia
Hi CW, Emmanuel,
Just came back to this post after spending some time off the web.
The parent company of Unwired Fiji is listed on the South Pacific Stock Exchange and made this press release last week. You can probably find out more here on Unwired new product:
http://www.spse.com.fj/uploads/unwired__launches_pure_wimax_network.pdf
I haven’t seen any article in the local media on the coverage. But on their website: http://www.unwired.com.fj/ they reveal coverage areas to be between Lami and Nausori corridor. That’s still a few kilometers out of the capital Suva, so it seems that coverage is Suva and the greater Suva area.
And hey CW, if you read through this Unwired press release, they talk about being the first to offer the first truly mobile WiMAX network…and makes reference to how various claims have been made by companies who say they offer the same thing.
Funnily, this was the very same thing the Kidanet people said when they launched their WiMax and I remember hearing the same thing from Connect when they launched a while back.
I’m just wondering, isn’t 802.16e just WiMAX, period? I mean what’s the difference between an 802.16e WiMax network and one that’s “the first truly mobile Wimax network”?
June 12, 2009 at 7:38 pm
dionisia
Re: TFL’s CDMA 2000, yes, I did read somewhere about the different school of thought on LTE vs WiMAX. Well it seems that in Fiji, the WiMAX people are leading the race
.
TFL’s CMDA looks like the odd one in the mix and if it ought to be running the Internet race, well, it is being marketed mainly as a voice pusher at the moment in the form of TFL’s Easy Tel product.
So, I am very interested in this one and how it is supposed to position TFL in the Internet market.
I look forward to reading your interview with them.