Sprint Nextel Corp. reported a deal with Samsung Telecommunications America L.L.P. to jointly test network equipment based on the 802.16e WiMAX standard using Sprint Nextel’s 2.5 GHz spectrum.
The companies said the agreement will involve testing prototype terminals and core network equipment designed to support interactive multimedia services. The collaboration will involve lab trials at company facilities and field trials with customers, as well as interoperability testing with Sprint Nextel’s “ecosystem” partners to verify the specifications of 802.16e technology.
Samsung said it plans to be the first company to give a trial performance of 802.16e-based services later this year and commercially launch a WiBro network with a wireless carrier early next year in Korea. WiBro will have mobility built into its initial specification, while the WiMAX standard is being hammered out as a fixed solution first, and mobility will be added later.
For Sprint Nextel, the deal is the latest in a succession of announced next-generation wireless trials using its vast 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings, which the company said cover around 80 percent of the country. Sprint Nextel repeatedly has said it plans to use that spectrum to launch advanced wireless services.
“We are evaluating multiple options for 2.5 GHz applications and fostering strategic relationships with ecosystem partners who are vital to progress on next-generation wireless broadband access and infrastructure,” explained Sprint Nextel Chief Technology Officer Barry West.
In approving Sprint Corp.’s acquisition of Nextel Communications Inc. in early August, the Federal Communications Commission said it would require Sprint Nextel to meet certain milestones for offering service in the 2.5 GHz band. Those commitments included plans to cover at least 15 million potential customers with service within four years and another 15 million pops within six years-“unless circumstances beyond its control prevent the merged entity from reaching those milestones.”
Nextel announced in June that it planned to launch a network trial using IPWireless Inc.’s UMTS TD-CDMA technology during the third quarter in the Washington, D.C., area using its 2.5 GHz spectrum. The carrier said at the time that the trial would test a range of subscriber services, including broadband access for laptops, desktops and personal digital assistants and backhaul for enterprise campuses. Nextel also said it plans to test wireless interactive multimedia services, including video streaming, online gaming, document collaboration and video conferencing.
IPWireless noted the Nextel trial will use a 10-megahertz spectrum channel with average throughput of 1.5 megabits per second on the downlink and 500 kilobits per second on the uplink. Nextel said the trial will run for a minimum of six months and will be available only to select Nextel customers and not offered commercially to the public, at least initially.
Nextel launched a network trial in early 2004 using Flarion Technologies Inc.’ Flash-OFDM technology and leased 1.9 GHz spectrum in the Raleigh, N.C., area. That trial, which was scheduled to wrap up June 30, included about 150 cell sites and initially was limited to Nextel partners in the area before expanding to more than 3,000 customers. Qualcomm Inc. recently announced plans to buy Flarion.
Sprint announced a deal in late June with Motorola Inc. to conduct joint wireless broadband technology testing and equipment trials using Motorola’s 802.16e platform and Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum. Similar to the Samsung deal, the Motorola trial will include lab testing of base-station equipment, smart-antenna technology and multimedia handsets, as well as field trials in certain locations beginning this year.
Sprint previously signed a related agreement with Intel Corp. to develop WiMAX chipsets, devices, equipment and infrastructure. Sprint also joined the WiMAX Forum earlier this year.
