Global Mobile Corp (全球一動), one of Taiwan’s licensed WiMAX operators, yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding for a field trial with a US-based company that could lead to potential procurement deals depending on the trial’s outcome.
Global Mobile, awarded the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) license in October last year, said at a news conference in Taipei that it intended to make NextWave Wireless Inc, a global provider of mobile multimedia and wireless broadband technologies, its potential WiMAX partner.
The two companies plan to set up a comprehensive WiMAX field trial and demonstration network that would leverage shared resources to provide Global Mobile’s end-users a personalized mobile experience through the delivery of mobile multimedia services, including mobile TV, interactive media services and digital audio.
PHOTO: AFP
The trial network will be deployed in Taipei and will be monitored over several months.
Global Mobile chairwoman and chief executive Rosemary Ho (何薇玲) said her company picked NextWave because it had prior experience in helping New York City deploy WiMAX services.
Global Mobile will place procurement orders for WiMAX products from NextWave if the trial proves to be satisfactory, the company said, adding it planned to launch next-generation WiMAX service in the first half of next year.
Ho told reporters earlier this year her company would wait for a more favorable macro environment to start the service, or until there are more devices available to facilitate WiMAX connection, faster speeds to ensure smooth data transmission and lower base station costs.
While the cost of building a base station is estimated at around NT$2.5 million (US$79,900), Global Mobile believes that NT$1.5 million is more reasonable, she said.
All six WiMAX operators are required by the regulatory National Communications Commission to launch their commercial service within 15 months of obtaining their license, though they may ask for a one-year extension.
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