Thuraya Launches Smallest IP Antenna for Enhanced Speed and Portability

To enhance streaming speeds of Thuraya’s IP terminal, the Company has launched a new compact antenna manufactured by the antenna specialist, SCAN Antenna. SCAN Active antenna for Thuraya IP is the smallest in the market and provides 384 Kbps uplink and downlink streaming speeds reliably. This antenna is ideal for many market segments including the broadcast and defense which require portable solutions when streaming from the field and wish to fit this compact unit in their gear.

“The new SCAN Active antenna provides connectivity through Thuraya IP ensuring customers have high quality streaming performance in an extremely portable solution. Users can access 384 Kbps streaming speeds in the uplink or downlink without having to worry about using any bulky antenna,” said Thuraya’s Senior Manager Product Management, Mr. Rashid Baba.

“The broadcast sector will find it most convenient due to its size and weight making it easy to carry. With this antenna they can connect and stream videos very quickly and efficiently at high speeds providing breaking news as it happens,” elaborated Mr. Baba.

He also added that the new SCAN Active antenna is battery powered and has a long cable that runs up to 30 meters.

Thuraya IP is the world’s smallest satellite broadband solution providing Standard speeds of 444 Kbps and was the first to reach streaming speeds of 384 Kbps. It is uniquely A-5 sized making it very compact and portable. Based on a plug and play system, Thuraya IP is very user-friendly in addition to being cost-effective. The solution has attracted several vertical market users from segments such as broadcast media, oil and gas, military, government and large corporates.

T-Mobile and Clearwire mulling 4G partnership

Looks like the kids at T-Mobile USA are well aware that their company's future will depend on offering both compelling handsets and a competitive network for them to ride on. Reuters reports that the Deutsche Telekom subsidiary has been exploring all its options with regard to the provision of 4G services, including potential joint ventures with cable companies and even spectrum sharing with AT&T, though the likeliest candidate for the moment remains Clearwire's WiMAX infrastructure. Asked about a potential merger with Sprint, who controls more than 50 percent of Clearwire, T-Mobile's CEO Robert Dotson declined the idea, explaining that "what you never want to do is take one company that is going through challenges and take another company going through challenges." Reports of ongoing discussions between Clearwire and T-Mo have been around since last September, and the latest from Dotson suggests that his company is keen to get a resolution either way as soon as possible.

mocoNews Reuters

Clearwire and Sprint slinging WiMAX to NC, HI and TX in November / December

We knew Clearwire would be snaking its 4G services to select markets in North Carolina, Hawaii and Texas before the year's end, but it's always reassuring to hear a corporation come right out and affirm that those leaked dates are still solid. What's interesting about the latest announcement is that both Clearwire and Sprint will be offering 4G in these same cities under their own brands, even though the signals and towers used will be the same. Starting next month, WiMAX will officially land in Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina (Charlotte is already lit up, despite these companies' claims) and Austin; Dallas/Fort Worth; San Antonio, Texas. In December, the companies will get things fired up in Honolulu and Maui, two areas where we're certain techs from Sprint / Clearwire are more than eager to go "test things out." So, now that this has all panned out, how's about another leak sheet for 2010 rollouts?

http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/23/clearwire-and-sprint-slinging-wimax-to-nc-hi-and-tx-in-november/

ZTE Achieves XOHM Certification for WiMAX Modem

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZTE USA, a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global telecommunications equipment and network solutions provider, today announced that Sprint’s XOHM_TM WiMAX business unit has certified its TU25 USB modem after extensive evaluation in the XOHM Herndon, Va. lab environment. The USB modem is the first certified for use with XOHM’s Mobile WiMAX service, the company’s next-generation broadband service now commercially available in Baltimore and planned elsewhere.

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless internet technology designed to provide broadband connections over large areas - even in challenging city environments. ZTE’s TU25 USB Modem provides XOHM’s subscribers with reliable, high speed broadband wireless connection for laptops and desktop computers with a USB port.

XOHM’s certification of the ZTE TU25 USB Modem signifies the product’s interoperability with other elements of the WiMAX network including back-office provisioning and customer relationship management systems and infrastructure. In addition to the XOHM certification, ZTE’s modem has also achieved Microsoft’s WQHL certification, USB Forum certification and FCC certification, marking it ready for commercial usage.

“With our newly achieved certification, consumers and enterprises everywhere are one step closer to realizing the promise of WiMAX technology which we see as the next-generation of broadband wireless access,” said Dr. George Sun, CEO, ZTE USA. “The certification of our USB modem proves that XOHM has chosen a high quality and reliable product that is a key component of the Baltimore launch, as well as future service roll-outs. We are proud to be working hand-in-hand with XOHM and its other vendor partners to help pioneer WiMAX in the United States.”

XOHM launched its first commercial service in the Baltimore area on September 29th. ZTE’s USB modem is the only USB modem presently certified for use. ZTE worked closely with XOHM to complete the testing and certification in the XOHM ND-ADE lab.

“We know that part of our commercial success relies on our ability to offer our subscribers technologically advanced equipment that will enable them to seamlessly harness the power of our WiMAX service,” said Bin Shen, VP Product Management and Partnership Development for XOHM. “After putting ZTE’s USB modem through rigorous testing, we are confident to offer our customers this product as part of their service equipment. We look forward to working with ZTE as we launch other cities later this year and next.”

About ZTE USA and ZTE

ZTE USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, is headquartered in Dallas, TX, with offices in Iselin, NJ, Chicago, IL and San Diego, CA. ZTE USA is leveraging ZTE's proven strength in IP and wireless technologies, strong R&D capability, and strategic industry partnerships to bring innovative wireless and wireline solutions and mobile handsets to the U.S. market. www.zteusa.com

ZTE delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to customers in more than 120 countries, helping them achieve continued revenue growth and shape the future of the world's communications. ZTE commits around 10 percent of annual turnover to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. It is the fastest-growing telecoms equipment company in the world and is China's only listed telecoms manufacturer, with shares publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. ZTE was the only Chinese IT and telecoms manufacturer listed in Business Week's 2005 Information Technology 100 and was included in its 2006 ranking of China’s Top 20 brands. ZTE was also awarded the “Most Promising Vender of the year” by Frost & Sullivan in its 2007 Asia Pacific ICT Awards, and was reported as the fastest growing telecom equipment and solutions provider among the major telecom vendors worldwide by international research firm IDC in 2007. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.

Contacts

ZTE USA, Inc.
Kathryn Gonia, 214-420-8443
Kathryn.gonia@zteusa.com
or
Bite Communications
Elissa Ehrlich, 212-857-9397
elissa.ehrlich@bitepr.com

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