Intel Capital invests in FREEDOM4 to Accelerate the Deployment of WiMAX Networks in the U.K.

LONDON – Feb. 11, 2008 – Intel Capital, Intel Corporation's global investment organization, today announced that it has signed an agreement to make a substantial investment in U.K. based FREEDOM4 Limited ("FREEDOM4"), formerly known as Pipex Wireless Limited. Pipex Communications PLC will also join Intel Capital in this investment. Intel Corporation and Freedom4 will collaborate to accelerate the deployment of WiMAX networks in the U.K. in an effort to enable lower cost and truly mobile broadband technology. This latest investment from Intel Capital and Pipex Communications, a major U.K. based telecommunications provider, follows FREEDOM4's successful WiMAX trials in the U.K.

FREEDOM4 is a pioneer in WiMAX services with broad spectrum assets, which will enable the deployment of WiMAX across the U.K. WiMAX services provided by FREEDOM4 aim to make personal wireless broadband available to both businesses and consumers at affordable prices. WiMAX represents the future of mobile broadband and Intel Capital, along with tremendous support from a worldwide ecosystem, is a leading global investor in WiMAX technology.

"Intel Capital is a major investor in WiMAX technology and is committed to accelerating the deployment of open-standards mobile broadband around the world," said Arvind Sodhani, president of Intel Capital. "FREEDOM4 has built a top-notch management team and this is a strategic investment opportunity through which we can help facilitate the deployment of wireless broadband in the U.K market."

Mike Read, CEO, FREEDOM4 adds, “Following the success of the commercial launch of our services in Milton Keynes, we are in the next phase of our development: making FREEDOM4 the market leader in ‘personal’ wireless broadband access. The investment from Intel Capital and Pipex Communications will facilitate the roll out of a WiMAX network in other cities around the U.K., providing a truly flexible service to businesses and consumers."

Delivering Mobile WiMAX
Intel is a leader in driving the development and deployment of WiMAX, a new wireless broadband technology that delivers "broadband on the go." Mobile WiMAX, based on the IEEE 802.16e industry specification, is a mobile broadband wireless technology that provides low-cost, multi-megabit speed and increased throughput for accessing large amounts of data such as movies and multimedia content. Intel’s integrated Wi-Fi/WiMAX module (codenamed "Echo Peak") will debut in certain next-generation Intel® Centrino® processor-based laptops (codenamed "Montevina") beginning in the middle of the year. The company's low-power mobile WiMAX silicon specifically designed for mobile Internet and consumer electronic devices (codenamed "Baxter Peak") will also be available this year.

About FREEDOM4
FREEDOM4, a joint venture between Pipex Communications and Intel Capital, is a provider of personal wireless broadband services without boundaries. With a national license to deploy WiMAX services in the 3.6 GHz band, FREEDOM4 is working closely with businesses and local authorities to build the necessary infrastructure to provide broadband wireless internet access across the UK.

FREEDOM4 has partnerships with some of the leading names in wireless technologies and telecommunications, including Intel Corporation, Airspan Networks, Nokia Siemens Networks, Ericsson, and National Grid Wireless to provide WiMAX services to nomadic workers, businesses and SOHOs via a scalable and resilient network. For further information, visit www.freedom4.com.

a la mobile raised $6.5M series B fund

PE Hub Reported:

San Ramon, CA based a la mobile has taken $6.75 million Series B in a round led by original investor Venrock. Under the deal, Venrock managing partners Ray Rothrock and Tony Sun join the a la mobile board.

a la mobile had recently demonstrated the Android platform on HTC Qtek 9090 Smartphone. Founded in 2005, a la Mobile has already established itself as the leader in developing and delivering one-stop, commercial-grade complete Linux system stacks for mobile devices: integrated, customized, certified, supported and maintained. The Company's first Linux system offering - Convergent Linux Platform (CLP) version 1.0 - based on the Qt application framework by Trolltech, was first introduced in 2006 and adopted by several handset vendors.

Govt to auction spectrum for 3G, Wi-Max services - Hindu

Updates:

BSNL Plans To Roll Out WiMax Services…But Will They Follow Through?

Telecom Roundup: RCom-VAS; Telecom Licences, Tariffs; CDMA Subs; 3G vs 4G


Link to the opriginal post in The HIndu BusinessLine

Also at ContentSutra:India To Auction 3G Spectrum; Introduces Phased Number Portability



Move opens doors for Deutsche Telecom, AT&T and new Indian players



New Delhi, November 12 In yet another blow to the existing GSM operators, the Communication Ministry has decided to auction spectrum for third generation (3G) mobile services and wireless broadband services through technologies such as Wi-Max.

The auction will be open to new companies wanting to foray into the telecom sector as well as established foreign telecom players. The existing operators had wanted the auction for 3G services to be limited to the licence holders.

The Ministry’s decision to open up the bidding to all players is also a move away from the telecom regulator’s recommendations that it be restricted to existing operators. The move gives a chance to the likes of Deutsche Telecom, AT&T and new Indian players such as Unitech and Hindujas, which may not get spectrum in the 2G band given the huge rush, to enter the high growth telecoms market. This means that existing GSM operators such as Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, after being asked to rope in more subscribers for being eligible for more spectrum for 2G services, will now have to fight it out for a piece of 3G spectrum.

As per the guidelines worked out by the Communication Ministry, 30 Mhz of spectrum in 2.1 Ghz band for 3G services is available which can accommodate between 3 and 6 players depending on whether the Government allocates 10 Mhz or 5 Mhz per operator. A decision on this and other modalities such as the date for the auction will be taken shortly by the DoT.

CDMA operators


For CDMA operators such as Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications, the Government has identified the 800 Mhz band in which 1.25 Mhz will be given to each operator. There will be no auction for the CDMA operators wanting to offer 3G services but they will have to pay an amount that is proportionate to the highest bidder in the auction for GSM players.

This is good news for CDMA players as they are currently using the 800 Mhz band for offering 2G services and, therefore, can start offering low-cost 3G services using the same equipment with minor investments. However, the DoT has not allowed the use of 1900 Mhz band and 450 Mhz band for CDMA players for now, which means that they will have only 1.25 MHz in all to offer 3G services.

In another major decision, the Government has decided to auction spectrum for Wi-Max services in the 2.5 Ghz band. Three operators would be given 10 Mhz each based on an ascending e-auction. The base price would be 25 per cent of the amount quoted by the highest bidder for 3G spectrum.

Besides the initial one time spectrum charge, an additional spectrum charge of 0.5 per cent of the operator’s annual revenues will be levied on both 3G and Wi-Max operators. Mergers will not be allowed during the first 5 years to prevent reselling or trading of spectrum. Both 3G and Wi-Max technologies will enable consumers to access high- speed data and entertainment services such as Interent Protocol TV and Video on Demand on mobile handsets. These technologies also allow the operators to offer better quality of service.


Mobile number portability in phases

Mobile Number Portability, which allows subscribers to change their operator without having to change the phone number, is finally here. The Minister of Communication, Mr A. Raja, has decided to introduce this system in phases, starting with the four metros.

This facility is likely to be available to the mobile subscribers by the fourth quarter of 2008. All the investments required to launch number portability will be made by the mobile operators.

Though the telecom regulator had recommended introduction of this system more than a year ago, the Government was facing resistance from the operators who were concerned about losing subscribers to rivals.