Monday, July 6, 2009
Mango Refused WiMAX ! ! !
At last Mango Tele Services, the only private IIG has refused (!) the BWA or WiMAX license. From reliable source, we have been informed that Mango Teleservices has failed to paid the required amount of money inspite of having a long period from BTRC. Now, there are two companies having wimax license in their hand, counting the minimum days remaining to start their operations. This situation will make the competition more easier in absence of Mango. Meanwhile, Banglalion has failed to launch their Wimax services on 1st of July, 2009 as they declared. Also there is no other notifications from BTRC about their service or another wimax license. Now BTRC is working on the new IPTSP (IP Telephony Service Provider) license awarding process. In this regards, the experts of BTRC has visited some of the ISP premises for survey and inspection. Hope fully, this IPTSP license will create new life in ISP businesses. Also the Wimax Operators will enjoy the IPTSP license from the begining. So, the scenario will be really very fruitful for the subscribers of Bangladesh. In other hand, the license holders of 3.5 GHz licensed frequency and another operator who is having 700 MHz - are moving very slowly as we are watching. Also Augere Broadband is trying to develop its' perfect and financially feasible network planning whereas Banglalion has started PSTN operation named SUNTEL. But the people of Bangladesh are eagerly waiting for Wimax services. Hopefully we can avail it very soon.
Monday, March 23, 2009
WiMax bid winners struggle to raise funds for licences
The Daily Star
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Reported by: Md Hasan
Local WiMax licensees find it difficult to borrow required funds from banks to pay their licence fees as financial institutions have adopted a cautious lending strategy amid the global economic meltdown.
The WiMax licence holders had appeared in court to get the deadline extended to deposit the licence acquisition fees to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
A prospective broadband internet provider through WiMax said he had to mortgage land to obtain bank loans.
"The WiMax market could not present itself as a bullish business to financial institutions now, due to the global economic crisis," said Mir Masud Kabir, managing director of Mango Telecom.
"Financial institutions are extra-careful in funding such large projects."
"It is all about money. But it may be difficult for banks to visualise returns from these business cases," he said.
Mango Telecom agreed to take the WiMax licence as the third private operator after BRAC Net, the second winner of the WiMax licence, surrendered their licence amid fears that the technology would not be a financially viable venture after paying the hefty licence fee.
WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless digital communication system that can provide broadband wireless access across 30 miles for fixed phones, and 3-10 miles for mobile stations.
The three bidders -- BanglaLion Communi-cation, BRAC BD Mail Network Ltd and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd -- won the licences at an auction organised by BTRC in September last year.
The Tk 215 crore bid price for each WiMax licence acquisition had become a 'double bind' for the telecom regulator, as only Augere was able to deposit the licence money.
After BRAC'S departure from the race, BTRC called others bidder on a chronological basis and Mango Telecom, the seventh bidder, agreed to take the licence as the third private WiMax operator.
However, the hefty licence fee was questioning the viability of the WiMax venture in the Bangladeshi market.
Foreign equity owning licensee Augere deposited licence fee in due date, whereas others two yet to make full payment.
Along with Mango, BanglaLion Communi-cation, the first ranked bidder, is yet to deposit the full licence fee to BTRC, BTRC officials.
BanglaLion, which is aiming to launch its data and internet services through WiMax by June this year, paid 50 percent of the set licence fee.
A bank consortium, headed by AB Bank, at last agreed to finance the project.
"As per the court verdict, we have some time to pay the remaining money. We hope to pay the money by this month," said Parvez Ahmed Shamim, who is consulting BanglaLion's WiMax project.
Sources said BanglaLion also had to struggle to get loans from the banks despite having a good business background.
Through WiMax, high-speed broadband technology would be introduced. At present, more than a million customers are enjoying internet facilities, mainly connected by the local internet service providers.
The WiMax licence holders had appeared in court to get the deadline extended to deposit the licence acquisition fees to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission.
A prospective broadband internet provider through WiMax said he had to mortgage land to obtain bank loans.
"The WiMax market could not present itself as a bullish business to financial institutions now, due to the global economic crisis," said Mir Masud Kabir, managing director of Mango Telecom.
"Financial institutions are extra-careful in funding such large projects."
"It is all about money. But it may be difficult for banks to visualise returns from these business cases," he said.
Mango Telecom agreed to take the WiMax licence as the third private operator after BRAC Net, the second winner of the WiMax licence, surrendered their licence amid fears that the technology would not be a financially viable venture after paying the hefty licence fee.
WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless digital communication system that can provide broadband wireless access across 30 miles for fixed phones, and 3-10 miles for mobile stations.
The three bidders -- BanglaLion Communi-cation, BRAC BD Mail Network Ltd and Augere Wireless Broadband Bangladesh Ltd -- won the licences at an auction organised by BTRC in September last year.
The Tk 215 crore bid price for each WiMax licence acquisition had become a 'double bind' for the telecom regulator, as only Augere was able to deposit the licence money.
After BRAC'S departure from the race, BTRC called others bidder on a chronological basis and Mango Telecom, the seventh bidder, agreed to take the licence as the third private WiMax operator.
However, the hefty licence fee was questioning the viability of the WiMax venture in the Bangladeshi market.
Foreign equity owning licensee Augere deposited licence fee in due date, whereas others two yet to make full payment.
Along with Mango, BanglaLion Communi-cation, the first ranked bidder, is yet to deposit the full licence fee to BTRC, BTRC officials.
BanglaLion, which is aiming to launch its data and internet services through WiMax by June this year, paid 50 percent of the set licence fee.
A bank consortium, headed by AB Bank, at last agreed to finance the project.
"As per the court verdict, we have some time to pay the remaining money. We hope to pay the money by this month," said Parvez Ahmed Shamim, who is consulting BanglaLion's WiMax project.
Sources said BanglaLion also had to struggle to get loans from the banks despite having a good business background.
Through WiMax, high-speed broadband technology would be introduced. At present, more than a million customers are enjoying internet facilities, mainly connected by the local internet service providers.
Banglalion is starting 1st ever WiMAX Service in Bangladesh
March 23, 2009
Banglalion is the first ever wimax operator in Bangladesh has started their service offerings. According to their web information... from 1st of June, 2009 Banglalion will start their internet and data connectivity service in Bangladesh. And the service will be 4G based Technology. The initial pricing of the service will be as following:
Product: 128 kbps - Prices
Home User/Individual Tk 600/Month
Corporate (5-10 users) Tk 550/Month
Corporate (10 users above) Tk 500/Month
Day User (Max3GB) Tk 45/Day
Night Package (12 AM to 9 AM =9 hrs) Tk.300/Month
This affordable pricing will be definitely liked by the people who dream to use wimax for long time. The service profile mentioned 128kbps (hopefully, full duplex ! ! ! But at least 1:4 will be fine) as according to BTRC guideline 128kbps or higher will be marked as broadband service. So, this price is really the cheapest over south asia and obviously in this wimax trends, we crossed all the milestones of entire Asia's experience.
Also the tagline of Banglalion was quite bit alluring … “Discover WiMAX 1st time in Bangladesh at 2.5 GHz”. It is very intelligent to deploy 4G technology as wimax standard because the most discussed issue in “WiMAX vs. 3G”. All the experts are anxious about the deployment of 3G technology by the mobile service operators in Bangladesh. Already we have observed the showdown of Ericsson Bangladesh’s “Alokito Bangladesh” project. Most probably, based on this concept we are watching the promo line of Bangladesh’s biggest telecom service operator GrameenPhone’s internet service “Alo Ashbei…”. The basic advantages for the mobile operators as a BWA operator using 3G over wimax are:
1) The total number of Mobile Phone Active Subscribers has reached 45.21 million at the end of February 2009 [Source: BTRC; www.btrc.org.bd] which are the ready customers for internet access.
2) All the mobile service operators have their ready to use network infrastructure as well as site acquisition facilities to upgrade their network coverage of internet access.
3) The entire 45.21 million subscribers have CPEs (Customer Premises Equipment) in their hands; somebody ready to use it immediately; somebody ready to upgrade theirs’.
4) All the operators have strong brand image in service market.
5) 3G is proven technology in many countries; successfully deployed and financially viable.
These factors will be really the challenges for the wimax operators in Bangladesh. In this regards, the decision of deploying 4G technology by Banglalion will be very advantageous for them. As there is rumors in industry that Banglalion has the technical support of another PSTN operator of Bangladesh. If this is true, then Banglalion will have a benefit of using their nationwide network developed for PSTN operation. In other hand, other wimax operators gained license; Augure and Mango are remaining silent till now. As we have discussed in my previous article, Mango Teleservices has financial advantages over price war of internet service in Bangladesh. But the benchmark of service price set by Banglalion will be really competitive any other wimax service operators in country. Even it will be a great business challenge for 3G operators also. At the end, we appreciate the business policy of serving the Bangladeshi people the low cost internet by Banglalion very much. Hopefully, in future BanglaLion will offer more excellent services and pricing to fulfill the dreams of internet users’ and very importantly the to-be internet users’.
Banglalion is the first ever wimax operator in Bangladesh has started their service offerings. According to their web information... from 1st of June, 2009 Banglalion will start their internet and data connectivity service in Bangladesh. And the service will be 4G based Technology. The initial pricing of the service will be as following:
Product: 128 kbps - Prices
Home User/Individual Tk 600/Month
Corporate (5-10 users) Tk 550/Month
Corporate (10 users above) Tk 500/Month
Day User (Max3GB) Tk 45/Day
Night Package (12 AM to 9 AM =9 hrs) Tk.300/Month
This affordable pricing will be definitely liked by the people who dream to use wimax for long time. The service profile mentioned 128kbps (hopefully, full duplex ! ! ! But at least 1:4 will be fine) as according to BTRC guideline 128kbps or higher will be marked as broadband service. So, this price is really the cheapest over south asia and obviously in this wimax trends, we crossed all the milestones of entire Asia's experience.
Also the tagline of Banglalion was quite bit alluring … “Discover WiMAX 1st time in Bangladesh at 2.5 GHz”. It is very intelligent to deploy 4G technology as wimax standard because the most discussed issue in “WiMAX vs. 3G”. All the experts are anxious about the deployment of 3G technology by the mobile service operators in Bangladesh. Already we have observed the showdown of Ericsson Bangladesh’s “Alokito Bangladesh” project. Most probably, based on this concept we are watching the promo line of Bangladesh’s biggest telecom service operator GrameenPhone’s internet service “Alo Ashbei…”. The basic advantages for the mobile operators as a BWA operator using 3G over wimax are:
1) The total number of Mobile Phone Active Subscribers has reached 45.21 million at the end of February 2009 [Source: BTRC; www.btrc.org.bd] which are the ready customers for internet access.
2) All the mobile service operators have their ready to use network infrastructure as well as site acquisition facilities to upgrade their network coverage of internet access.
3) The entire 45.21 million subscribers have CPEs (Customer Premises Equipment) in their hands; somebody ready to use it immediately; somebody ready to upgrade theirs’.
4) All the operators have strong brand image in service market.
5) 3G is proven technology in many countries; successfully deployed and financially viable.
These factors will be really the challenges for the wimax operators in Bangladesh. In this regards, the decision of deploying 4G technology by Banglalion will be very advantageous for them. As there is rumors in industry that Banglalion has the technical support of another PSTN operator of Bangladesh. If this is true, then Banglalion will have a benefit of using their nationwide network developed for PSTN operation. In other hand, other wimax operators gained license; Augure and Mango are remaining silent till now. As we have discussed in my previous article, Mango Teleservices has financial advantages over price war of internet service in Bangladesh. But the benchmark of service price set by Banglalion will be really competitive any other wimax service operators in country. Even it will be a great business challenge for 3G operators also. At the end, we appreciate the business policy of serving the Bangladeshi people the low cost internet by Banglalion very much. Hopefully, in future BanglaLion will offer more excellent services and pricing to fulfill the dreams of internet users’ and very importantly the to-be internet users’.
And also don't miss to register for the Bangladesh's First ever WiMAX service in Bangladesh by BanglaLion on : http://www.banglalion.com.bd/
Friday, March 6, 2009
BanglaLion WiMAX First in Media !
Finally Banglalion Communications Limited has published the first ever news media advertisement for WiMAX Service in Bangladesh. "Exploring the world of Banglalion WiMAX" titled newspaper advertisement says the very generic taglines of the broadband internet business in Bangladesh e.g. No phone line needed, Plug & play(this one is new), High speed access, Quick service activation & Value for money. The initial assessment shows that the advertisement targets the Dial-up internet users of Bangladesh. The publicity also informs that the service launch will be by June 01, 2009 and the registration begins from 7th March means from tomorrow which can lead you for a special offer. There is no mention of how the registration will be done. Also some spelling mistakes will catch your eyes which reflects the amateurness of branding/promotions. Meanwhile, we found a web presence http://www.banglalionbd.com/ claims the official website of Banglalion. We have seen this type of advertisement in our daily newspaper earlier from a wellknown ISP of Bangladesh. Also another ISP company already claimed before that they are the only company who launched wimax in bangladesh. Later on that company fails to earn the license. Another very interestingly we observed in webpage the word 4GBD. Then Banglalion is implementing 4G technology in Bangladesh? The stakeholders of Banglalion can answer you better. But it is absolutely true that Banglalion Communications Ltd. is the only company among those 3 wimax license holders that has come to news media for the very first time. We appreciate the efforts of Banglalion to be more visible to public through media. I hope they will be the trend setters of wimax technology implementation in Bangladesh and fulfil the nation's dream for Digital Bangladesh.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
WiMAX in INDIA ! ! !
BSNL's WiMAX order to be finalized next week
March 03, 2009
Three global telecom firms Huawei, Telsima and Alvarion emerged as front runner for bid order of state-owned telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd’s (BSNL)'s WiMax equipment. The winners are expected to be announced next week, enabling launch of much awaited Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) services by state owned telecom giant.
Chinese vendor Huawei, US-based Telsima and Nasdaq-listed Alvarion are in the final lap of the project, with the companies quoting the lowest prices (L1). The winner will be announced next week, sources close to the development told Business Standard.
Companies like ZTE and Alactel-Lucent have also placed their bids, sources said. Other telecom vendor companies such as ZTE and Alactel-Lucent are also in the race. However, they have to face stiff competition from foreign telecom players on the lowest price (L1) issue.
BSNL was planning for a nation-wide rollout of WiMax services with a total investment of over $1 billion.
The company is offering WiMax under the 2.5-GHz band, a superior frequency, compared with the private players who are currently offering under 3.3 GHz. WiMax will enable the companies to offer high-speed Internet access on laptops and mobile handsets.
BSNL and its sister-concern Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) have received WiMax spectrum on a preferential basis, while the private companies will have to wait bid for spectrum.
Huwaei had earlier received bagged a BSNL contract to set up 1,000 common service centres (CSC) in rural areas, while the company is also believed to be bidding for the state-owned company’s 3G rollout. Alvarion had deployed over 3 million WiMax units in 150 countries, while Telsima is a five year-old India focused WiMax solutions firm.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has reserved amount of over $1 billion to roll out WiMax service, a telecommunication technology for wireless transmission of data from one point to another. The technology, based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, provides broadband internet downloading speed of 72 Mbit/s without any cable connection. The company is facing stiff competition from private telecommunication companies, providing internet broadband connectivity through wireless links.
BSNL has already launched WiMax in Gujarat (using US-based Soma Networks solutions), while plans are afoot to roll out services across Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.The state run company aims to extend WiMax services across all major towns of country in the coming financial year. It is already providing the services, under the 2.5-GHz band, in Gujarat with the help of US-based Soma Networks solutions.
A BSNL executive said, "We are aiming for 50,000 connections in each state in 2008, 500,000 in each state by 2010."
[Source:- a) http://www.topnews.in/ (Keshav Seth); b) http://www.business-standard.com/]
Alvarion® Reports Q4 and Full Year 2008 Results
WiMAX™ demand drives BreezeMAX® shipment growth of 37% in 2008 to a new record
Tel Aviv, February 4, 2009 — Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALVR), the world’s leading provider of WiMAX™ and wireless broadband solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December, 31, 2008.Q4 Highlights (compared to Q4 2007):
- WiMAX shipments up 55% to record $57.7 million
- WiMAX revenues up 21% to $43.9 million
- Non-GAAP EPS was breakeven; GAAP net loss was ($0.08), including restructuring charge
2008 Highlights (compared to FY 2007):
- WiMAX shipments increased 37% to a record $189.3 million
- WiMAX revenues increased 38% to a record $171 million
- Non-GAAP EPS of $0.11 compared to $0.14 in 2007
GAAP loss of ($0.09) per share compared to GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.11 in 2007
In the fourth quarter of 2008, revenues were $70.1 million, a decrease of 6% from $74.3 million in the third quarter of 2008, and increase of 6% from $66.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 was ($4.8) million, or ($0.08) per share, which included a restructuring charge and related expenses of $3.4 million in connection with the cost reduction initiatives that were implemented in December 2008, compared to net income of $803,000, or $0.01 per share in Q3.Excluding the amortization of intangibles and stock based compensation expenses, other income, restructuring charge and related expenses, and the results of discontinued operations, on a non-GAAP basis, the company reported net income in the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $119,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of approximately $3.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008, and non-GAAP net income of approximately $3.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in Q4 2007.The sequential decline in revenues was primarily a result of Alvarion’s inability to recognize $2.4 million of revenues from the sale of products to Nortel Networks during the fourth quarter of 2008 after Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection on January 14, 2009 and subsequently repudiated the joint WiMAX agreement between the two companies. The decline in Q4 gross margin was due to the write-off of the cost of the equipment related to the Nortel sales in the period.For the full year 2008, revenues totaled a record $281.3 million, an increase of 19% over $236.6 million in 2007. WiMAX revenues set a new record of approximately $171 million, about 61% of total revenues in 2008, compared with approximately $124 million, representing about 52% of total revenues, in 2007. WiMAX shipments for the year reached a new record of approximately $189 million.For 2008, net loss was ($5.5) million, or ($0.09) per share compared with net income from continuing operations of $7.1 million, or $0.11 per share in 2007. Excluding the amortization of intangibles and stock based compensation expenses, other income and restructuring charge and related expenses and the results of the discontinued operations, non-GAAP net income for 2008 was $6.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $8.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share in 2007.As anticipated, gross margin in 2008 declined primarily due to a shift in product mix. In addition, unfavorable foreign currency translation during the first three quarters contributed to the margin decline.Cash reserves as of December 31, 2008, totaled approximately $141 million, after using $5 million to repurchase Alvarion shares during the fourth quarter.For supplemental information to facilitate evaluation of the impact of non-cash charges and comparisons with historical results of operations, see the attached table showing the detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results for Q4 2008, the full year 2008 and the comparative periods.
Comments from Management
“In 2008, WiMAX continued to exhibit strong demand, despite concerns over a spreading global recession,” said Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion. “We are very pleased with our record level of WiMAX shipments and our book-to-bill ratio of well over 1 in Q4. We are further encouraged by the fact that we are entering 2009 with a backlog of business twice as large as we had a year ago. Our non-WiMAX business was stable in 2008 and we expect it to remain so in 2009.“Demand for primary broadband connectivity and mobile data usage are both in long term growth trends that require new solutions that improve the total cost of ownership for operators,” continued Mr. Friedman. “There are many well-funded operators, includingTier 1 and Tier 2 carriers, around the globe embracing rather than resisting change and planning to use WiMAX to bolster their competitive advantage. While decision cycles may lengthen and funding will remain an issue, we believe opportunities for a company our size remain abundant.“Our immediate challenge is to continue to win major deals while supporting existing customers’ rollout plans, and to take a larger share of the available business in a very competitive environment. We are, and intend to remain, among a handful of topend-to-end solution providers that will win the bulk of the WiMAX business in years to come. Meanwhile, we will be stretching farther to be as efficient as possible. Our goal for 2009 is to improve profitability for the year even as growth slows temporarily due global economic conditions.”
Q1 2009 Guidance
The company’s revenue guidance for Q1 2009 is $65 to $73 million. Based on the indicated revenue range, Q1 non-GAAP per share results are expected to range between ($0.02) and $0.04. GAAP per share results are expected to range between a loss of ($0.05) and earnings per share of $0.01.
About Alvarion
Alvarion (NASDAQ: ALVR) is the largest WiMAX pure-player with the most extensive WiMAX customer base and over 250 commercial deployments around the globe. Committed to growing the WiMAX market, the company offers solutions for a wide range of frequency bands supporting a variety of business cases. Through its OPEN™ WiMAX strategy, superior IP and OFDMA know-how, and ability to deploy end-to-end turnkey WiMAX projects, Alvarion is shaping the new wireless broadband experience (http://www.alvarion.com/).
[Source: http://www.alvarion.com/ - Press Center]
Tel Aviv, February 4, 2009 — Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ:ALVR), the world’s leading provider of WiMAX™ and wireless broadband solutions, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December, 31, 2008.Q4 Highlights (compared to Q4 2007):
- WiMAX shipments up 55% to record $57.7 million
- WiMAX revenues up 21% to $43.9 million
- Non-GAAP EPS was breakeven; GAAP net loss was ($0.08), including restructuring charge
2008 Highlights (compared to FY 2007):
- WiMAX shipments increased 37% to a record $189.3 million
- WiMAX revenues increased 38% to a record $171 million
- Non-GAAP EPS of $0.11 compared to $0.14 in 2007
GAAP loss of ($0.09) per share compared to GAAP EPS from continuing operations of $0.11 in 2007
In the fourth quarter of 2008, revenues were $70.1 million, a decrease of 6% from $74.3 million in the third quarter of 2008, and increase of 6% from $66.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.GAAP net loss in the fourth quarter of 2008 was ($4.8) million, or ($0.08) per share, which included a restructuring charge and related expenses of $3.4 million in connection with the cost reduction initiatives that were implemented in December 2008, compared to net income of $803,000, or $0.01 per share in Q3.Excluding the amortization of intangibles and stock based compensation expenses, other income, restructuring charge and related expenses, and the results of discontinued operations, on a non-GAAP basis, the company reported net income in the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $119,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of approximately $3.0 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2008, and non-GAAP net income of approximately $3.1 million, or $0.05 per diluted share in Q4 2007.The sequential decline in revenues was primarily a result of Alvarion’s inability to recognize $2.4 million of revenues from the sale of products to Nortel Networks during the fourth quarter of 2008 after Nortel filed for bankruptcy protection on January 14, 2009 and subsequently repudiated the joint WiMAX agreement between the two companies. The decline in Q4 gross margin was due to the write-off of the cost of the equipment related to the Nortel sales in the period.For the full year 2008, revenues totaled a record $281.3 million, an increase of 19% over $236.6 million in 2007. WiMAX revenues set a new record of approximately $171 million, about 61% of total revenues in 2008, compared with approximately $124 million, representing about 52% of total revenues, in 2007. WiMAX shipments for the year reached a new record of approximately $189 million.For 2008, net loss was ($5.5) million, or ($0.09) per share compared with net income from continuing operations of $7.1 million, or $0.11 per share in 2007. Excluding the amortization of intangibles and stock based compensation expenses, other income and restructuring charge and related expenses and the results of the discontinued operations, non-GAAP net income for 2008 was $6.9 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, compared with non-GAAP net income of $8.8 million, or $0.14 per diluted share in 2007.As anticipated, gross margin in 2008 declined primarily due to a shift in product mix. In addition, unfavorable foreign currency translation during the first three quarters contributed to the margin decline.Cash reserves as of December 31, 2008, totaled approximately $141 million, after using $5 million to repurchase Alvarion shares during the fourth quarter.For supplemental information to facilitate evaluation of the impact of non-cash charges and comparisons with historical results of operations, see the attached table showing the detailed reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results for Q4 2008, the full year 2008 and the comparative periods.
Comments from Management
“In 2008, WiMAX continued to exhibit strong demand, despite concerns over a spreading global recession,” said Tzvika Friedman, president and CEO of Alvarion. “We are very pleased with our record level of WiMAX shipments and our book-to-bill ratio of well over 1 in Q4. We are further encouraged by the fact that we are entering 2009 with a backlog of business twice as large as we had a year ago. Our non-WiMAX business was stable in 2008 and we expect it to remain so in 2009.“Demand for primary broadband connectivity and mobile data usage are both in long term growth trends that require new solutions that improve the total cost of ownership for operators,” continued Mr. Friedman. “There are many well-funded operators, includingTier 1 and Tier 2 carriers, around the globe embracing rather than resisting change and planning to use WiMAX to bolster their competitive advantage. While decision cycles may lengthen and funding will remain an issue, we believe opportunities for a company our size remain abundant.“Our immediate challenge is to continue to win major deals while supporting existing customers’ rollout plans, and to take a larger share of the available business in a very competitive environment. We are, and intend to remain, among a handful of topend-to-end solution providers that will win the bulk of the WiMAX business in years to come. Meanwhile, we will be stretching farther to be as efficient as possible. Our goal for 2009 is to improve profitability for the year even as growth slows temporarily due global economic conditions.”
Q1 2009 Guidance
The company’s revenue guidance for Q1 2009 is $65 to $73 million. Based on the indicated revenue range, Q1 non-GAAP per share results are expected to range between ($0.02) and $0.04. GAAP per share results are expected to range between a loss of ($0.05) and earnings per share of $0.01.
About Alvarion
Alvarion (NASDAQ: ALVR) is the largest WiMAX pure-player with the most extensive WiMAX customer base and over 250 commercial deployments around the globe. Committed to growing the WiMAX market, the company offers solutions for a wide range of frequency bands supporting a variety of business cases. Through its OPEN™ WiMAX strategy, superior IP and OFDMA know-how, and ability to deploy end-to-end turnkey WiMAX projects, Alvarion is shaping the new wireless broadband experience (http://www.alvarion.com/).
[Source: http://www.alvarion.com/ - Press Center]
Sunday, February 22, 2009
What is LTE ? ? ?
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3GPP Long Term Evolution (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the name given to a project within the Third Generation Partnership Project to improve the UMTS mobile phone standard to cope with future technology evolutions. Goals include improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum and reframed spectrum opportunities, and better integration with other open standards. The LTE air interface will be added to the specification in Release 8 and can be found in the 36-series of the 3GPP specifications. Although an evolution of UMTS, the LTE air interface is a completely new system based on OFDMA in the downlink and SC-FDMA (DFTS-FDMA) in the uplink that efficiently supports multi-antenna technologies (MIMO). The architecture resulting from this work is called EPS (Evolved Packet System) and comprises E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) on the access side and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) on the core side.
3GPP LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the name given to a project within the Third Generation Partnership Project to improve the UMTS mobile phone standard to cope with future technology evolutions. Goals include improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum and reframed spectrum opportunities, and better integration with other open standards. The LTE air interface will be added to the specification in Release 8 and can be found in the 36-series of the 3GPP specifications. Although an evolution of UMTS, the LTE air interface is a completely new system based on OFDMA in the downlink and SC-FDMA (DFTS-FDMA) in the uplink that efficiently supports multi-antenna technologies (MIMO). The architecture resulting from this work is called EPS (Evolved Packet System) and comprises E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) on the access side and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) on the core side.
Long Term Evolution (NORTEL NETWORKS)
Although 3G technologies deliver significantly higher bit rates than 2G technologies, there is still a great opportunity for wireless service providers to capitalize on the ever-increasing demand for "wireless broadband" and take advantage of the technology innovation that improves the economics of deploying mobile broadband networks. Consequently, there is an expanding revenue opportunity from a growing pool of consumers and business professionals who are demanding the same experience and applications that they enjoy on a fixed wireline connection over wireless -- anywhere, any content, stationary or mobile. The solution is LTE, (3GPP Long Term Evolution), the next-generation network beyond 3G. In addition to enabling fixed to mobile migrations of Internet applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP), video streaming, music downloading, mobile TV and many others, LTE networks will also provide the capacity to support an explosion in demand for connectivity from a new generation of consumer devices tailored to those new mobile applications.
Although 3G technologies deliver significantly higher bit rates than 2G technologies, there is still a great opportunity for wireless service providers to capitalize on the ever-increasing demand for "wireless broadband" and take advantage of the technology innovation that improves the economics of deploying mobile broadband networks. Consequently, there is an expanding revenue opportunity from a growing pool of consumers and business professionals who are demanding the same experience and applications that they enjoy on a fixed wireline connection over wireless -- anywhere, any content, stationary or mobile. The solution is LTE, (3GPP Long Term Evolution), the next-generation network beyond 3G. In addition to enabling fixed to mobile migrations of Internet applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP), video streaming, music downloading, mobile TV and many others, LTE networks will also provide the capacity to support an explosion in demand for connectivity from a new generation of consumer devices tailored to those new mobile applications.
What is it?
LTE is the natural evolution of 3GPP GSM and WCDMA networks. It is also an evolution candidate for 3GPP2 CDMA networks. Efforts are underway to harmonize the standards. LTE itself is a new paradigm in access, with a new modulation technique, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex), and antenna technology, MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output).
OFDM splits the information into multiple narrowband subcarriers, allowing each of them to carry a portion of the information at a lower bit rate, which makes OFDM a very robust modulation, particularly in multipath scenarios, like urban areas.
MIMO technology creates several spatial paths on the air interface between the network and the subscriber; so these paths can carry the same or different streams of information, allows an increase in either the coverage (due to higher Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) at the receiver) or the user data throughput.
Why do we need it?
LTE, combining OFDM and MIMO, will provide on 2 to 5 times greater spectral efficiency than the most advanced 3G networks, reducing the cost per bit and allowing better economics for operators and end users.
The result is affordable mass market wireless broadband services that will boost Operator profitability. Faster downloads, video sharing, true Mobile TV with more channels and enhanced quality are just some examples of applications that will benefit from LTE's greater performance.
How Can we Do it?
LTE comes hand in hand with SAE (System Architecture Evolution), an evolution of the Core Network towards a flat, packet only, all-IP based architecture. In SAE, the network is composed of only two node types, the Base Station or eNodeB (evolved NodeB) and the AGW (Access Gateway). This architecture enhancement reduces the latency of the network (in the range of 10-20 msec round trip, an improvement of 50-200% when compared to the most advanced 3G networks), required to provide real-time applications, like VoIP or on-line interactive gaming. It lowers total cost of ownership as fewer network nodes will need to be installed and managed. Nortel can also provide cable reduction technology and integrated backhaul solutions to minimize the total cost of ownership of the network.
Nortel is delivering leading IMS Solutions for revenue generating applications to run on this true broadband access technology. As a matter of fact Nortel has already achieved several industry firsts with IMS VoIP live services running on top of 4G access including handover between VoIP on 4G systems and 2G cellular, in both directions, featuring Voice Call Continuity (VCC).
WiMAX vs. LTE
The WiMAX and 3G Evolutions/ LTE debate is not new. Nevertheless there can not be one technology which can be deemed as superior without specifying a range of factors such as rural/ suburban or urban usage, type of applications and user densities. Mobile WiMAX or WiMAX is capable of providing wireless overlays in rural areas and this has been also one its early application. WiMAX also classes of services which provide more reliable deliveries of Video or VoIP, which at present can not be matched by any competing technology. The MBS multicast feature of mobile WiMAX can deliver streaming multicast services to hundreds of thousands of customers. At the same time HSPA or LTEs enjoy the legacy advantage of incremental CAPEX over existing 3G networks and the ready targeting of a large base of customers under the 3G (UMTS or CDMA) technologies. Nevertheless it can not overcome the basic architectural weakness of the 3G as of today. Hence the advantage that these networks enjoy may be more fickle than believed.
LTE is the natural evolution of 3GPP GSM and WCDMA networks. It is also an evolution candidate for 3GPP2 CDMA networks. Efforts are underway to harmonize the standards. LTE itself is a new paradigm in access, with a new modulation technique, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex), and antenna technology, MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output).
OFDM splits the information into multiple narrowband subcarriers, allowing each of them to carry a portion of the information at a lower bit rate, which makes OFDM a very robust modulation, particularly in multipath scenarios, like urban areas.
MIMO technology creates several spatial paths on the air interface between the network and the subscriber; so these paths can carry the same or different streams of information, allows an increase in either the coverage (due to higher Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) at the receiver) or the user data throughput.
Why do we need it?
LTE, combining OFDM and MIMO, will provide on 2 to 5 times greater spectral efficiency than the most advanced 3G networks, reducing the cost per bit and allowing better economics for operators and end users.
The result is affordable mass market wireless broadband services that will boost Operator profitability. Faster downloads, video sharing, true Mobile TV with more channels and enhanced quality are just some examples of applications that will benefit from LTE's greater performance.
How Can we Do it?
LTE comes hand in hand with SAE (System Architecture Evolution), an evolution of the Core Network towards a flat, packet only, all-IP based architecture. In SAE, the network is composed of only two node types, the Base Station or eNodeB (evolved NodeB) and the AGW (Access Gateway). This architecture enhancement reduces the latency of the network (in the range of 10-20 msec round trip, an improvement of 50-200% when compared to the most advanced 3G networks), required to provide real-time applications, like VoIP or on-line interactive gaming. It lowers total cost of ownership as fewer network nodes will need to be installed and managed. Nortel can also provide cable reduction technology and integrated backhaul solutions to minimize the total cost of ownership of the network.
Nortel is delivering leading IMS Solutions for revenue generating applications to run on this true broadband access technology. As a matter of fact Nortel has already achieved several industry firsts with IMS VoIP live services running on top of 4G access including handover between VoIP on 4G systems and 2G cellular, in both directions, featuring Voice Call Continuity (VCC).
WiMAX vs. LTE
The WiMAX and 3G Evolutions/ LTE debate is not new. Nevertheless there can not be one technology which can be deemed as superior without specifying a range of factors such as rural/ suburban or urban usage, type of applications and user densities. Mobile WiMAX or WiMAX is capable of providing wireless overlays in rural areas and this has been also one its early application. WiMAX also classes of services which provide more reliable deliveries of Video or VoIP, which at present can not be matched by any competing technology. The MBS multicast feature of mobile WiMAX can deliver streaming multicast services to hundreds of thousands of customers. At the same time HSPA or LTEs enjoy the legacy advantage of incremental CAPEX over existing 3G networks and the ready targeting of a large base of customers under the 3G (UMTS or CDMA) technologies. Nevertheless it can not overcome the basic architectural weakness of the 3G as of today. Hence the advantage that these networks enjoy may be more fickle than believed.
Compiled by: Mohammad Abed Saadullah, Wimax Bangladesh
[Source: Altera, Japan (www.altera.co.jp), Nortel Networks (www.nortel.com), Amitabh Kumar (www.wimax-home.com), Motorola (www.motorola.com]
Friday, February 20, 2009
WiMAX in Bangladesh ! ! !
Wimax In Bangladesh is a hot issue for last few years. As like all bangladeshi IT people, I also feel an excitement. But lot of matters shatter in my mind instantly. As I am not that much technology specialist or expert, lot of question marks are pinching me. I have read in the newspaper that this price is the highest one in the world. Is it true? Does the economics which have been created by our Telco Guardians favorable for the internet users of Bangladesh? Also does it matches with Socio-economic infrastructure of our country? What will be scenario between Wimax & 3G/4G in Bangladesh? I don’t know how much ISPs in Bangladesh has invested 200 crore BDT in their infrastructure? What will be the economics if they invest 200 crore BDT in their infrastructure? Also the utilities of using Wimax Internet matches the PC/Laptop penetration? I know who sold the licenses and who bought the licenses have a very clear explanation of these questions. But if they don’t have it, then Wimax in Bangladesh will remain dream for people like me. Meanwhile some people will enjoy the benefits and the project re-shuffles & restarts again, as we know this is the common culture of our country.
Mango becomes very tasty ! ! !
Finally Mango Teleservices took the 3rd Wimax license. After rejected by the bracnet, P-1, BDIx, Vitel, BTRC found their 3rd Wimax operator of the country. It seems that my dream as well as lots of peoples' dream are getting to be true. Taking 215 crore taka's license will be definitely worth for Mango as they are already the market player as IIG. And finally BTRC had made a good decision by making powerful the only competitor of BTCL in Bangladesh. To achieve the sweet benefits of this access to information superhighway couldn't be possible if there any monopoly of single company remains. It is true that the economics of wimax can be successful by Mango because they are getting the internet bandwidth 60% less than the other ISPs. I believe this final award of the wimax license will bring the welfare for all, for us, for BTRC, for country. I hope that Mango will serve the nation according the expectations and guidelines and dreams provided by BTRC.
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