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Sprint, Samsung Partner on 4G Wireless Networks
By ROBERT LIU
TMCnet Wireless and Technology Columnist
Sprint announced on Friday that it has engaged long-time partner Samsung to develop so-called 4G wireless networks based on the emerging mobile broadband standards.
The announcement follows yesterday’s announcement from Nortel reaffirming its commitment to mobile WiMAX as defined by the IEEE 802.16e Task Group. According to its press release, Sprint’s agreement involves testing prototype terminals and core network equipment with Samsung Telecommunications America to help substantiate next-generation wireless network infrastructure requirements.
Although the agreement focuses primarily on mobile WiMAX, Sprint’s interest in partnering with Samsung is likely to be bolstered by the Korean manufacturer’s development efforts with WiBro, a Korean home-grown wireless broadband standard that is closely related to 802.16e. Just as Intel and Nortel have turned to Korean competitor LG Electronics to cooperate on WiMAX-WiBro compatibility, Sprint has turned to Samsung to prepare for an uncertain wireless realm that isn’t expected to fully materialize until 2007.
In late August, Samsung hosted telecom executives from around the globe at its Samsung 4G Forum 2005 event on Jeju Island to demonstrate WiMAX-WiBro hand-over technology aboard a bus traveling at 60 km/hour. Samsung will utilize the experience gained from this research to drive ongoing development of WiMax equipment for other markets including the , Sprint said. Samsung joined the WiMAX Forum last December.
"We are evaluating multiple options for 2.5GHz applications and fostering strategic relationships with ecosystem partners who are vital to progress on next-generation wireless broadband access and infrastructure,” explained Barry West, Sprint chief technology officer.
Sprint said the Samsung collaboration will involve lab trials at company facilities and field trials with customers, as well as interoperability testing with Sprint partners in order to verify the specifications of 802.16e technology.
"Once again, Samsung is working closely with Sprint to drive the next generation of wireless services," said Thomas Jasny, VP of Wireless Broadband Networks for Samsung Telecommunications America. "The 802.16e standard will help support the deployment of true wireless broadband."
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Robert Liu is Executive Editor at TMCnet. Previously, he was Executive Editor at Jupitermedia and has also written for CNN, A&E, Dow Jones and Bloomberg. For more articles, please visit Robert Liu's columnist page.
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