SAN JOSE, Calif. — Chip designers for cellular and WiMax networks are sharpening their pencils on plans for 700 MHz support after getting new guidance from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on the spectrum last week. A race is on to determine who will have what chips with what performance dynamics ready when new spectrum owners start planting towers as early as February 2009.
Qualcomm is working to characterize its current and future CDMA technologies for 700 MHz with initial chips shipping next year. WiMax players are doing the same. And the proponents of the Long Term Evolution version of cellular are still finishing their specification.
"One of the things I lose sleep over is whether the technology road maps will slip, and I will have to deploy an interim solution before one of these 4G technologies is ready," said Stagg Newman, chief technology officer for Frontline Wireless, a startup that hopes to buy some of the new spectrum rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment