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The enterprise/consumer lines are blurring

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:15:38 -0400

The enterprise/consumer lines are blurring

In less than two weeks, the wireless industry will find itself trekking out to Las Vegas for the twice-annual pilgrimage that is CTIA. While the fall show is technically the "IT" show, the boundary on which that distinction was based has long since been abandoned, as the line between the enterprise user and the consumer increasingly blurs. In an age when iPhones hook up to Microsoft Exchange Servers and BlackBerrys play MP3s, it no longer makes sense to view the enterprise and the consumer markets separately, as they have traditionally been seen.

So, what can we expect to see in terms of enterprise mobility at this year's spring show? A quick look at the list of keynote speakers turns up a few leads. First there's Robert Bach, President of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices division. While it's possible that he'll focus on the entertainment side of the equation, it would be unlike Microsoft to miss an opportunity to make a major announcement regarding enterprise mobility at CTIA. After all, we all remember what happened the last time Microsoft keynoted CTIA.

On the carrier side, the stage seems set for exciting announcements as well. I'll bet dollars to donuts that Sprint Nextel President and CEO Dan Hesse will muse on the company's forthcoming XOHM WiMAX network, as Sprint Nextel senior vice president Atish Gude did last fall. Verizon Wireless President and CEO Lowell McAdam's intentions, however, are a bit harder to peg. While a major announcement doesn't seem too likely, there's always the outside chance that the company could choose to unveil a major launch onstage. At the very least, McAdam should dish out a bit more information on his company's open development initiative, which could have huge repercussions for the enterprise.

Regardless, it should be an interesting show for wireless industry folks of all stripes. Read on for more previews, predictions and early impressions and be sure to tune in for our live CTIA coverage, starting on April 1st. - Mehan

P.S. Fierce will once again host its popular networking party. Join us on April 1 from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Rain at The Palm in Las Vegas. RSVP here.

WiMAX to be put to the test

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

The United States is getting ever closer to widespread licensed WiMAX deployment. Sprint's XOHM service has begun very limited tests and is still scheduled to go public in the second quarter of this year. Customers looking for pricing and purchase models that mimic those used in 3G cellular devices are almost certain to be disappointed--Sprint has made it clear that both monthly service pricing and device subsidies will be significantly different from cell models when WiMAX eventually rolls out. The market is anxiously watching Sprint's WiMAX rollout for clues about what customers will accept, and how the finances will work for the data-centric WiMAX network. Stay tuned…

For more on the WiMAX launch:
- See the complete article at WirelessWeek

New Sprint WiMAX devices

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:58 -0500

Few people would have picked something like it for the first in a new category of wireless devices, but the Eee PC from Asus looks like it will be the first generally-available computer with WiMAX capability built-in. The big surprise is that the Sprint devices with WiMAX communications are rather more modest, with a couple of PC-card modems for laptop computers the only things on display at the recent CES. This all could be part of the Sprint plan, since they've been talking up the "open" nature of the XOHM network as they get ready for the big public rollout of WiMAX in the US.

For more on the short list of Sprint WiMAX devices:
- Read the complete report at DailyTechRag

Always-on security

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Laptop computers and 3G networks have joined forces to bring anywhere Internet connectivity to the enterprise world. Unfortunately, while the combination has created significant productivity enhancements for mobile professionals, it has brought significant security concerns, as well. Now, Alcatel-Lucent is delivering a product suite, OmniAccess 3500 Laptop Guardian, that has been brought to market by Sprint-Nextel, with the goal of using the same 3G network to provide always-on security and fleet management for corporate laptops. A PC Card with a self-contained computer and constant network access protects the computer and can receive patches and downloads, even when the laptop computer is turned off. When the technology can provide a bit of safety along with productivity, the market is making steps in the right direction.

For more on the new Alcatel-Lucent 24/7 security:
- Read the product news at WirelessWeek

Google mulling Sprint buyout?

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Settle down, folks: for the time being, this is a totally unsubstantiated rumor. VoIP columnist Rich Tehrani unleashed a editorial piece over the weekend where he muses philosophical about the rumors he's "been hearing" regarding a buyout of Sprint-Nextel by Google. While Tehrani fails to mention exactly who's been whispering in his ear, it doesn't take too much of a stretch of the imagination to see how a Google/Sprint deal might make sense. After Sprint's deal with Clearwire fell out last week, it's become painfully clear that Sprint is going to need an infusion of cash if it is to make good on it's ambitious WiMAX plans. And we probably don't need to point out the fact that with or without WiMAX, Sprint just hasn't been doing so hot lately. So, we've established that Sprint is a prime target for acquisition--but why would Google want to buy? Well, as we've seen, Google is already dipping its toes in the mobile market, though it would be a bit of a leap for the company to enter the carrier space. Still, Google has expressed intentions to bid in the upcoming 700Mhz auction and its hard to argue that the openness of Sprint's XOHM network wouldn't jive with the big G's agenda. Could Google snap up Sprint-Nextel and make a huge splash in the industry by launching the nation's first WiMAX network? Given the size of Google's war chest, it certainly could--the only question that remains is whether or not the company is interested in playing the role of carrier.

For more on the rumor:
- see this TMCnet editorial

QUICKLINKS: Vonage loses jury trial; Disney folding mobile phone service;

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:59:55 -0400

> Minnesota AG files against Sprint/Nextel. Article

> Vonage loses jury trial. Article

> Google's going mobile. Article

> Disney folding mobile phone service. Article

Who will win Alltel?

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 20:01:36 -0400

The news slipped during a February call with analysts, when Alltel admitted that it was reviewing a number of options concerning a possible sale. Now AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel have joined private equity firms as potential suitors for the $22 billion (market valuation) wireless carrier. Alltel is the fifth-largest U.S. carrier with a coverage footprint that includes many of the less-served rural areas of the country. Who will want to link up with Alltel? The answer may wait until after the next FCC spectrum auction.

For more on Alltel's prospects:
- read the article at Network World

QUICKLINKS: Pennsylvania county investigates wireless network feasibility; Sprint Nextel sprints toward a 4G network via WiMax;

Sun, 13 Aug 2006 20:00:50 -0400

Pennsylvania county investigates wireless network feasibility. Article

Sprint Nextel sprints toward a 4G network via WiMax. Article

Mobile device carry-on rules depend on flight destination. Article

Wal-Mart still gungho on RFID use. Article

How users segment communications to various mobile devices. Article

Nokia cuts CDMA development off, layoffs coming. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 20:01:40 -0400

I received a press release this morning about wireless operators offering child-tracking capabilities via the mobile phone. For example, the second largest mobile operator, Verizon Wireless, offers Chaperone, which uses GPS capabilities to alert parents as to their child's location. Disney Mobile is right behind, readying to launch a similar service and Sprint Nextel has already put a personal tracking service on the product list.

The thing is, none of these services are really new. Big corporations have been using very similar GPS technologies for years to track product through development cycles, mobile employees on the road, the location of service trucks and actual worker productivity to ensure that every minute of the workday is being used for work.

What is new is that corporate enterprise computing is finding its way into the everyday life of the consumer. And yes, who doesn't want to know where their child is when they're out of sight? Yet, on the other hand, such technologies can have a boomerang impact--it can erode trust and it can undercut personal responsibility achievements, in both the work and the family scenario.

I know I don't want to be tracked like a piece of inventory moving through a warehouse, and I don't think my oldest daughter would want me to tag and track her every movement through her phone.

The idea of not having to learn personal responsibility and some of the hard lessons that come with making judgment mistakes is a bit scary in terms of a person's development. It's a slippery slope that I really hope we all take it very slowly. -Judy

QUICKLINKS: Avaya, Intel collaborate on VoIP for the workplace; What Sprint Nextel hopes its merger will accomplish; Much more.

Sun, 28 Aug 2005 20:00:50 -0400

Avaya, Intel collaborate on VoIP for the workplace. Article

A new Business Class Wireless Suite from Intel and Cisco. Article

Tech giants throw big support to power line broadband technology. Article

Financial leaders love their cell phones. Article

What Sprint Nextel hopes its merger will accomplish. Article

The debate continues over VoIP security. Article

Better, and more secure, messaging apps coming for wireless networks. Article