Wifi Revolution

Since its launch August 4, the new WiFi Revolution has been busy bringing you all the latest wireless news—from updates on municipal WiFi projects around the U.S. to TomTom’s new GPS device to industry analysis about worldwide sales of EDGE handsets.

 

Here is a roundup of some of the most noteworthy items to cross the WiFi (News - Alert) space during the past fortnight or so.

 

 

This month, TMCnet writer Kumar Amitav Chaliha has been keeping an eye on phone manufacturer Ericsson’s progress challenging Nokia in the Asian market—including a contract to manage a WCDMA/HSPA network in Malaysia and a $550 million deal with China Mobile.

 

Chaliha’s latest report explains the details of a $1 billion contract Ericsson (News - Alert) landed with India’s Bharti Airtel, while providing some valuable background about the phone manufacturer’s recent successes.

 

In related news, TMCnet President and Group Publisher Rich Tehrani recently met with Verizon Wireless’ Executive Director, Tom Pica, and afterward wrote an article providing an update about the wireless service provider’s current initiatives.

 

Tehrani reports that Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless is focusing on two main areas: wireless data and customer support. He noted that, while the company fell down somewhat in the past when it came to addressing the needs of customers, recently it has made significant improvements.

 

In fact, Tehrani describes Verizon Wireless as now being “on the leading edge as far as U.S. carriers go.”

 

 

The busiest topical area on WiFi Revolution so far has been reports about new wireless products and services hitting the market. Rather than bore our readers with detailed descriptions of all these reports, here is a quick run-down of recent intros and news that may be of interest.

 

WiFi Revolution also brings you industry news about partnerships and B2B offerings from wireless service providers and manufacturers. Here are a few nuggets.

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Spectrum analysis specialist Cognio has been busy of late making things easer for those who troubleshoot WiFi networks. The company recently updated its Spectrum Expert, a tool that enables quick diagnosis of problems with WiFi networks.

 

Cognio also recently partnered with software company Meritech to address the needs of RFID site surveyors. The company’s UHF RFID Cardbus module is now integrated with Metitech’s iSite platform, a software tool for plotting the coverage area of radio signals.

 

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France’s Bouygues Telecom recently selected Nortel (News - Alert) to help it build a national, high-speed mobile internet and voice network. The network will be based on Nortel’s (News - Alert) HSDPA technology, and when completed will provide French customers with next-generation services like high definition video on demand, MP3 streaming and multi-user mobile gaming.

 

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When it comes to the next generation of WiFi, Alvarion—a charter member of WiMAX Forum—is leading the charge. So writes TMCnet reporter Erik Linask in a recent article detailing WiMAX Telecom AG’s selection of Alvarion’s BreezeMAX to expand networks in Austria and Slovakia.  

 

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The security of wireless networks is a concern in many sectors, including government. One company that’s addressing the issue is Aruba Networks, which designs and deploys enterprise-class mobile networks that are capable of handling security concerns created by a mobile workforce.

 

Recently Aruba was selected for a joint marketing and reseller agreement with General Dynamics under the U.S. Air Force Network Centric Solutions’ definite-delivery, indefinite quantity contract. The terms of the agreement mean that Aruba’s wireless LAN and mobility technology will be available to the U.S. government.

 

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Another company that’s staying on the edge of wireless technology is Huawei Technologies. The company recently landed a contract with U.S. wireless carrier Leap Wireless to supply 3G telecom equipment to support services in Spokane, WA., Boise, ID., and Reno, NV.

 

 

During the past couple weeks, WiFi Revolution reported on two U.S. patents granted to wireless innovators.

 

Finally, here are a few tidbits that may also be of interest.

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