SAN JOSE, Calif.—Various telecommunications firms including Covad Communications Group Inc., Korea Telecom Corp., TeleKom Malaysia Berhad, Japan’s NTT Inc. and China’s PCCW announced they formed the WiBro and mobile WiMAX Community, a new trade group seeking to further the deployment and interoperability of WiBro technology.
WiBro is widely considered South Korea’s own version of mobile WiMAX. WiBro’s biggest supporter, Korea Telecom Corp., is a founding member of the new group, as is TeleKom Malaysia Berhad, NTT and China’s PCCW. In addition, more than 20 other telecom firms have reportedly joined the WMC.
Covad explained its strategy for aligning itself with the group, stating, “By joining the WMC, Covad gains an opportunity to learn from and share information with leading telecom providers in other countries. This puts us on the cutting edge of new developments in the fast-growing wireless broadband market.”
Covad operates a wireless broadband network with more than 3,000 business customers in major markets throughout California and Nevada. The company is also a member of the WiMAX Forum, a group which promotes the growth of and adoption of WiMAX technology along with managing interoperability and standard-compliant testing for WiMAX certified products.
“Covad is smart to partner with players like KT Corporation,” stated Julien Grivolas, telecommunications analyst from Ovum. “With the commercial launch of its WiBro services expected next month, KT is the most advanced operator in mobile WiMAX, while there are many innovative broadband wireless access initiatives in Asia. Consequently, WMC membership will provide Covad with some exciting opportunities.”
As of yet, it’s not clear whether WMC members expect WiBro technology to creep out of Korea and into other markets, but members are looking to stake out their WiBro market shares within the market.
