NextWave inks deal with Alcatel-Lucent: Contract to provide NextWave with WiMAX TV solution

NextWave Wireless Inc. tapped Alcatel-Lucent to develop WiMAX broadcast solutions that the company plans to integrate with its recently announced MXtv technology.
NextWave plans to use the technology to give WiMAX operators the ability to deliver multimedia services like mobile TV and digital audio over their networks.
Terms of the agreement were not announced.
Alcatel-Lucent and NextWave will begin performing interoperability tests using the infrastructure vendor’s equipment next quarter. Products and services are slated to be available later this year. Alcatel-Lucent joins NextWave partner Huawei Technologies USA in integrating MXtv into its WiMAX products.
“User demand for mobile broadcast services is rapidly expanding and we believe that the exciting new applications offered through this alliance will provide mobile operators a unique ability to deliver the key differentiating feature of 4G networks, rich media content such as live television, movies and music on-demand, real-time video streaming and conferencing, radio, multi-player gaming and many other interactive streaming applications to mobile devices – anywhere, anytime,” said Allen Salmasi, CEO of NextWave.
Familiar partners
The two companies have a bit of history as Lucent Technologies Inc. signed on to provide the former NextWave Telecom Inc. with CDMA-based network infrastructure prior to NextWave selling its 1.9 GHz spectrum assets to Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless L.L.C.
But, in its new incarnation, NextWave is targeting the WiMAX market. According to recent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, NextWave holds spectrum assets in the 1.7/2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands covering nearly 250 million potential customers across the country. The company claims it has at least 20 megahertz of spectrum covering 136.4 million pops and another 98.7 million pops covered by at least 10 megahertz of spectrum.
The company added that it expects the combination of its spectrum footprint and technology “will be attractive to service providers who wish to deploy wireless networks that utilize our advanced products and technologies” – talk similar to its “carriers’ carrier” strategy from its previous business model.
NextWave has implemented a test network in Las Vegas to demonstrate its technology and plans to show a demonstration at CTIA Wireless 2008 next month in Las Vegas.