Our sister publication Wireless World is bringing preview coverage from this year's CTIA conference. Here, Tzvika Friedman, CEO/President of Alvarion Ltd., speaks to the company's innovation in the WiMAX market.
WW: From a policy perspective what can the U.S. government do to spur more rural broadband deployment?
TF: It’s no secret that the demand for broadband in the U.S. is continuing to increase, and this is especially true in rural America. Over the last decade, Alvarion has partnered with hundreds of regional operators, wireless ISPs and municipalities around the U.S. to deploy license-exempt wireless broadband networks to deliver Internet services to under-served residences and businesses in these local markets. Alvarion has also deployed several WiMAX networks in the U.S. on licensed frequency bands though the lack of available spectrum continues to hamper the growth of these networks. It’s clear that WiMAX is preferred, but many operators lack the proper funding. When you consider what new emerging operators, such as DigitalBridge Communications, are trying to accomplish, you can begin to see the incredible potential of WiMAX in these rural markets. Access to new funds to deliver much needed broadband services to local businesses and consumers will fuel the economies of these cities and towns.
WW: What does Alvarion see in the future of mobile broadband? Is it really a matter of WiMAX or LTE?
TF: With LTE deployments still several years away, WiMAX is the first next-generation 4G technology commercially available today. In the future, both WiMAX and LTE will coexist though with a different focus. Given that the vast majority of the world’s population still doesn’t have access to broadband, we need multiple technologies—both wired and wireless—to meet this demand. While WiMAX brings an open Internet model that will focus on providing broadband Internet on-the-go to mass consumers as well as broadband to residential users and businesses, LTE will continue to enhance mobile voice and mobile download applications customized mainly for mobile phones. WiMAX’s open Internet model will extend the reach of Internet from PC and laptops to small screen devices such as MIDs, UMPCs, smartphones and more.
WW: What impact does the economic recession have on the progress of WiMAX?
TF: While the recession is affecting most industries, we are still seeing a good demand for wireless broadband services around the world. With the increasing use of hand-held devices and notebook computers, the need for data oriented mobile broadband services is continuing to grow. WiMAX represents the most cost-effective and high-performance option for operators looking to address demands for connectivity and provides a quick ROI given the lower upfront investment needed to deploy such networks.
WW: How will Alvarion endure this current downturn and maintain its leadership?
TF: Our strength is our customers. Alvarion remains committed to growing the 4G market, and we believe we are well positioned with solutions that cover a wide range of frequency bands and support a variety of operator business cases. WiMAX's robust progress is clearly demonstrated by the success of Alvarion's many customers, who are delivering WiMAX services around the globe. The driving force behind their continued commitment to WiMAX is the superior business model that our portfolio provides due to its ability to supply superior network performance through customized end-to-end solutions and full turnkey services.
WW: What distinguishes Alvarion WiMAX solutions compared to the competition?
TF: Our award-winning WiMAX equipment has been used to build more than 250 commercial WiMAX networks worldwide. With more than 12 years’ experience in developing IP- and OFDMA-based solutions, Alvarion is shaping the new wireless broadband experience for customers such as AT&T Alascom, TDS [U.S.], VMAX Telecom [Taiwan], Linkem Spa [Italy], Comstar [Russia], Telkom South Africa and DigitalBridge Communications [U.S.]. Alvarion has been developing IP and OFDM based systems for over twelve years which gives us a technology edge over our competitors. We have learned from our customers and built special technology and features in our solution that provides enhanced capacity and extended coverage thus lowering the total cost of ownership for our customers.
WW: Outside of WiMAX, what else is Alvarion working on?
TF: Alvarion offers a complete wireless broadband portfolio that delivers both licensed WiMAX and licensed-exempt OFDM solutions based on true end-to-end IP-based solutions, perfect for vertical applications such as public safety, municipalities, enterprises, WISPs and utilities markets. Alvarion has deployed multiple networks in more than 100 countries for such applications. One example is video surveillance. A key driver in this market is the ability to offer customers, such as government agencies and municipalities, a complete pre-integrated end-to-end solution based on best-of-breed components. Alvarion’s portfolio meets the rigorous demands and challenges faced by video surveillance solutions for greater area coverage, capacity, security and QoS as well as providing an array of advantages that are utilized worldwide, including support for mobile applications and multiple types of architectures.
