Sprint Extends 4G Leadership by Announcing Next U.S. Markets to Experience Sprint 4G

Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle among Cities to Experience Turbo-Charged Mobile Broadband in 2009

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Mar. 25, 2009-- Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the next markets in the national Sprint 4G roll out. Sprint, the first national carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology, is extending its 4G leadership by launching the next- generation service across the country. Sprint 4G offers turbo-charged mobile broadband – peak downlink speeds of up to 12 Mbps in Baltimore today and average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps – three to five times faster than today’s 3G service from any carrier.

Sprint plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in many markets in 2009, including:

			Atlanta								Honolulu
			Charlotte								Las Vegas
			Chicago								Philadelphia
			Dallas								Portland
			Fort Worth								Seattle

Sprint also expects to launch service in multiple markets in 2010 including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

In addition to the ongoing market roll outs of 4G service across the country, Sprint has several new 4G devices planned for 2009 and 2010, including a single-mode 4G data card, embedded laptops, a small-office-home-office broadband modem and a tri-mode phone. Sprint was the first wireless carrier to offer access to both 3G and 4G networks on one device – the 3G/4G USB Modem U300.

Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008, then by launching the first dual-mode 3G/4G device in December. The current availability of Sprint 4G in Baltimore and the roll-out of 4G in major markets in 2009 and 2010 delivers on Sprint’s promise to offer a faster Internet experience in cities across the nation than any other wireless service from a national carrier.

“Sprint continues to lead the wireless industry by harnessing the power of WiMAX” said Todd Rowley, vice president of Sprint 4G. “The availability of Sprint 4G in more places this year and our aggressive expansion of Sprint 4G service demonstrates our commitment to provide 4G capabilities and devices nationwide for our business, consumer and government customers. These capabilities enable significantly enhanced performance and productivity for our customers.”

Sprint 4G brings the Internet to life and represents a shift in the way business, consumers and local governments will use mobile broadband, by extending the Internet beyond home or office use. Sprint 4G data cards, laptop solutions and phones will enable businesses and individuals to work when and where they want. Among the enhancements Sprint 4G enables are rich content, larger file transfers, streaming video and low-latency remote access. Sprint 4G-enabled smart phones have the promise of delivering processing power, applications and now the network connectivity to replace the laptop paradigm.

The 3G/4G USB Modem U300 is currently available nationwide via Sprint telesales at 1-800-Sprint-1 and at Sprint retail stores, Best Buy stores and local retailers in Baltimore. The device is priced at $79.99 with a $50 mail-in rebate (excludes taxes). With the U300, customers have access to the best of both 3G and 4G and can be ready to experience 4G when it arrives in their city, while taking advantage of America’s most dependable 3G network now.

Clearwire has added another option to their home service packages with their ClearVoice Adapter, a unit that connects your Clear Home Modem and landline phone to provide unlimited calling for just $25/month. The ClearVoice Adpater utilizes VOIP to provide telephone service via Clear's WiMAX network - rather than paying a local landline company to provide phone service, you can use high-speed broadband!

The Linksys 2102 featurew two ports for connecting any standard analog phone or even a fax machine, and two ethernet ports - one to connect the Clear Home Modem and a second for 

Cost: $15 for the adapter, $25/month for the service when added to any home plan

SPA2102 Telephony Features:

Two voice ports (RJ11) for analog phones or Fax machines
Impedance Agnostics - 8 Configurable Settings
Call Waiting, Cancel Call Waiting, Call Waiting Caller ID
Caller ID with Name/Number (Multi-national Variants)
Caller ID Blocking
Call Forwarding: No answer, Busy, All
Do Not Disturb
Call Transfer
Three-way Conference Calling with Local Mixing
Message Waiting Indication - Visual and Tone Based
Call Return
Call Back on Busy
Call Blocking with Toll Restriction
Delayed Disconnect
Distinctive Ringing - Calling and Called Number
Off-hook Warning Tone
Selective/Anonymous Call Rejection
Hot line and Warm Line Calling
Speed Dialing of 8 Numbers/Addresses
Music on Hold
Fax: G.711 Pass Through or Real Time Fax over IP via T.38


Package Contents:

1 - SPA2102 Phone Adapter Unit
1 - 5v Power Adapter
1 - RJ45 Ethernet Cable
1 - Quick Installation Guide


Data Networking:

MAC Address (IEEE 802.3)
IPv4 - Internet Protocol v4 (RFC 791) upgradeable to v6 (RFC 1883)
ARP - Address Resolution Protocol
DNS - A Record (RFC 1706), SRV Record (RFC 2782)
DHCP Client - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (RFC 2131)
DHCP Server - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (RFC 2131)
ICMP - Internet Control Message Protocol (RFC792)
TCP - Transmission Control Protocol (RFC793)
UDP - User Datagram Protocol (RFC768)
RTP - Real Time Protocol (RFC 1889) (RFC 1890)
RTCP - Real Time Control Protocol (RFC 1889)
DiffServ (RFC 2475), Type of Service - TOS (RFC 791/1349)
SNTP - Simple Network Time Protocol (RFC 2030)
Upload Data Rate Limiting - Static and Automatic
QoS - Voice Packet Prioritization over Other Packet Types
Router or Bridge Mode of Operation
MAC Address Cloning
Port Forwarding


Voice Gateway:

SIPv2: Session Initiation Protocol v2 (RFC 3261, 3262, 3263, 3264)
SIP Proxy Redundancy - Dynamic via DNS SRV, A Records
Re-registration with Primary SIP Proxy Server
SIP Support in Network Address Translation Networks - NAT (incl. STUN)
Secure (Encrypted) Calling via Pre-Standard Implementation of Secure RTP
Codec Name Assignment


Voice Algorithms:

G.711 (A-law and μ-law)
G.726 (16/24/32/40 kbps)
G.729 A
G.723.1 (6.3 kbps, 5.3 kbps)
Dynamic Payload
Adjustable Audio Frames per Packet


Fax Capability:

Fax Tone Detection Pass-Through
Fax Pass-Though - Using G.711


Security:

Password Protected System Reset to Factory Default
Password Protected Admin and User Access Authority
Provisioning/Configuration/Authentication:
HTTPS with Factory Installed Client Certificate
HTTP Digest - Encrypted Authentication via MD5 (RFC 1321)
Up to 256-bit AES Encryption


Provisioning, Administration & Maintenance:

Web Browser Administration & Configuration via Integral Web Server
Telephone Key Pad Configuration with Interactive Voice Prompts
Automated Provisioning & Upgrade via HTTPS, HTTP, TFTP
Asynchronous Notification of Upgrade Availability via NOTIFY
Non-intrusive, In-Service Upgrades
Report Generation & Event Logging
Stats in BYE Message
Syslog & Debug Server Records - Per Line Configurable
Per Line and Purpose Configurable Syslog and Debug Options


Physical Interfaces::

2 100baseT RJ-45 Ethernet Port (IEEE 802.3)
2 RJ-11 FXS Phone Ports - For Analog Circuit Telephone Device (Tip/Ring)


Subscriber Line Interface Circuit (SLIC):

Ring Voltage: 40-55 VRMS Configurable *
Ring Frequency: 10 Hz - 40 Hz *
Ring Waveform: Trapezoidal and Sinusoidal *
Maximum Ringer Load: 3 REN
On-hook/off-hook Characteristics:
On-hook voltage (tip/ring): -50 V NOMINAL
Off-hook current: 25 mA min
Terminating Impedance: 8 Configurable Settings including


Regulatory Compliance:

North America 600 ohms, European CTR21
FCC (Part 15, Class B) , CE, ICES-003


Power Supply:

Switching Type (100-240v) Automatic
DC Input Voltage: +5 VDC at 2.0 A Max.
Power Consumption: 5 Watts
Power Adapter: 100-240v - 50-60Hz (26-34VA) AC Input, 1.8m cord


Indicator Lights/LED:

Power, Internet, Phone 1, Phone 2


Documentation:

Quick Installation, User, and Configuration Guides are downloaded from
www.linksys.com
Administration Guide - Service Providers Only
Provisioning Guide - Service Providers Only


Dimensions: 3.98 x 3.98. x 1.10 in (101 x 101 x 28 mm) W x H x D
Unit Weight: 5.29 oz (0.15 kg)
Operating Temp.: 32º~113ºF (0º~45ºC)
Storage Temp.: -13º~185ºF (-25º~85ºC)
Operating Humidity: 10~90% Non-condensing
Storage Humidity: 10~90% Non-Condensing

High-speed loving Chicago residents have been covertly accessing WiMAX via the now-defunct XOHM brand since late 2008, but the city is still awaiting official support. Earlier this month Clearwire announced that they will finally be bringing their "Clear" WiMAX service to Chicago later this year (along with Atlanta, Las Vegas, and several others), but there are still many questions about the launch - particularly how it will effect XOHM users:

• When will Clearwire launch the network in Chicago?
• What areas will be covered? "Chicago" is a broad metro-area
• Will XOHM modems survive the transition?

If you currently use XOHM in Chicago, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the Clear launch. Share your experiences, questions, and concerns on the 4G Forums Clear Chicago thread!

It sounds like a riddle: "how can the introduction of other WiMAX providers make Clearwire money?"

The answer is simple: since Clearwire owns the necessary licenses, spectrums, and towers to operate a WiMAX network, they can make money by selling wholesale access to the network for other providers to re-sell. Since no other company currently has these capabilities and resources in the US, providers wanting to offer WiMAX to their customers have no choice but to become a Mobile Network Virtual Operator (MNVO) of Clearwire's service. This is nothing new - wireless companies have been doing this for ages. Virgin Mobile, for example, is an MNVO of Verizon, and Clearwire already has one MNVO in Sprint, who uses Clearwire's network for their Sprint 4G service.

Comcast, who actually invested about a billion dollars into Clearwire last year, announced this week that they plan to begin offering WiMAX service via Clearwire's Clear network to their customers in Portland later this year. Clearwire already offers WiMAX themselves in Portland, but Comcast may be able to reach additional customers via their existing customer base and by "bundling" the service with cable or landline services. As Clearwire's COO Perry Satterlee put it, "whether it comes through a retail channel or comes through a wholesaler, in the end, Clearwire wins. It's customers on our network."

The public has been eagerly anticipating news from Clearwire, and today they finally offered some information about their current state and future plans.

Clearwire started with the bad news: we knew their financial state was poor, but the company lost an incredible $118 million in the fourth quarter on revenue of just $20.5 million. They claim to have 475,000 subscribers (remember, even though WiMAX is only available in Portland and Baltimore, Clearwire operates "pre-WiMAX" internet networks in 40 other markets, so this total counts them as well), but they are going to need to expand rapidly to start turning a profit.

However, they do have a plan - and the money to execute it. The creation of the new Clearwire company left them with over $3 billion to use, and they say that they plan to spend between $1.5 and $1.9 billion on expanding the network this year. 

So what are they going to be doing with that money? Here are the highlights:

• Launch WiMAX in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia, and Seattle in 2009.
• Launch WiMAX in Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., Houston and San Francisco in 2010.
• Expand Clear network to 80 markets in 2010.
• Release close to 100 WiMAX-compatible products (with Intel's help) in 2009.

Considering the fact that we are already a week into March and Clearwire currently only offers WiMAX in two cities with three modems (I'm counting the Sprint 3G/4G U300), they have a lot of work to do.

 

Cradlepoint Announces New MBR1100
3G/4G/EVDO/HSPA VPN Cellular Router

New MBR1100 Mobile Broadband Router Supports 3G, 4G Networks and VPN

Boise, Idaho – CradlePoint Technology today added to its broad lineup of Mobile Broadband Router products with the introduction of the MBR1100 Mobile Broadband Router. The MBR1100 includes two key capabilities: support for 4G network devices and built-in, secure VPN termination.

CradlePoint, the global leader in 3G/4G network solutions, develops products for businesses and consumers to take advantage of growing cellular networks in supporting primary connections, redundant or failover solutions and secure VPN sessions. “The MBR1100 fits well into our vision of creating products that extend the value of 3G and 4G networks by sustaining a more mobile consumer and workforce.” stated Jack Alton, Vice President of Sales. “The market is demanding more and more options for connecting to the Internet, and CradlePoint helps businesses work in more places without compromising security or ease of use.”

The MBR1100, like the currently available MBR1000 (shown in photo above), allows enterprises and small business offices to use a wireless ISP as a backup to their primary wired ISP by providing automatic failover capability. With the addition of 4G support, those businesses now have greater bandwidth when in failover mode. 4G becomes even more appealing for those business applications that require a wireless ISP for dedicated access. Initially, the MBR1100 will support the Franklin U300 from Sprint and the Clear USB modem from Clearwire on 4G networks and more than 85 modems and phones running on 3G networks.

The VPN feature has the capability to create and terminate up to five simultaneous IPSec VPN sessions. This translates into the easy addition of a secure node on an enterprise network, even if it is remote. In addition, if the primary ISP connection fails, the MBR1100 will failover to the wireless ISP and re-establish the VPN connection. By simplifying the IT support environment, CradlePoint’s MBR1100 becomes a valuable tool to establish secure communications from one private network to another.

“This router is perfect for small offices, home offices, remote or satellite offices that require always available access and secure connections to the Internet, email and special applications. Temporary locations or mobile workgroups will find the MBR1100 handy because of its enterprise-class features, security and ease of use.” Alton commented.

As cellular carriers like Sprint and Clearwire continue to increase the speed and availability of broadband wireless networks, using a product like the MBR1100 for primary connection instead of a wired ISP is becoming a viable option for many users. Other customers will find the 3G/4G networks more suitable as a redundant option using the built-in failover, failback and load balancing features.

CradlePoint’s key innovation is its patent-pending WiPipe™ technology, which makes Wi-Fi access portable, secure, and easy to use. With the MBR1100, devices such as Smartphones, PCs, PDAs, cameras, music players, gaming platforms, and even printers can all benefit from network access whenever and wherever customers want to set up a network, on the road, in the office, and at home.

The MBR1100 will be available in the first quarter of this year from resellers across the U.S. and Canada or online and has an MSRP of $349.99US.

About CradlePoint Technology

CradlePoint is the global leader in the design, development and manufacture of mobile broadband networking devices serving business and consumer markets. The company engineers and produces cellular routers, portable hotspots, docking cradles and software platforms that facilitate secure mobile computing. CradlePoint’s unique WiPipe™ technology provides access and traffic management that improves the security and quality of the online mobile experience and supports new revenue streams for network providers. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho CradlePoint maintains sales offices in Montana, Florida, Kansas and Texas

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Discuss the MBR1100 on the 4G Forums

 

 

When the new Clearwire company was created in 2008, several companies combined to invest over $3 billion in the venture. Google, Intel, Time Warner, Comcast, and Sprint all put their financial security at stake to some degree by joining the WiMAX enterprise, and thus far they have yet to see any return on the investment. Quite the contrary - Clearwire's presence in the 4G market has been underwhelming at best thus far, with many consumers and industry insiders wondering if they're missing a big opportunity to take hold of the market before LTE becomes available.

While consumers eagerly await for Clearwire to do something with their assets, its stock continues to plummet. The shares have fallen over 40% since the company launched three months ago, dropping another 8% on Monday to close at a meager $2.96. This is in sharp comparison to the $20 per share price Clearwire had projected to their investors last November. Because the price has stayed so low for so long now, a clause has been triggered that divested even more shares of the company to Google and Time Warner - Google received an additional 4.4 million shares this week to bring its total stake to over 29 million shares while Time Warner Cable has gained an additional 4.8 million Clearwire shares to bring their total to about 32 million shares.

So what does Clearwire have to say about this latest development? Not much - yet. Spokeswoman Susan Johnston confirmed that the clause had indeed been triggered and that Clearwire's investors had received increased shares, but would not reveal any further details. Instead, she said that the increased ownership percentages would not be disclosed until April, when Clearwire is scheduled to file a proxy statement. Perhaps they are hoping that by then they will have some more positive news to divulge in tandem with the slumping stock talk?