During Futurecom, WiMAX Forum executives showcase how Russian broadband model could be applied in the country, generating investments and creating jobs
São Paulo, SP, Brazil – October 14th, 2009 – WiMAX ecosystem executives bring a promising wireless broadband message to the market this week during the Futurecom 2009 event. Dr. Mo Shakouri, WiMAX Forum Vice President, and Yegor Ivanov, International Development Director at Russian WiMAX™ operator Yota will showcase the momentum of WiMAX technology and the correlation between broadband penetration and economic development in Brazil. Further, they will outline the promise of wireless access for mass proliferation of broadband in the country as well as the critical need for immediate release of 2.5 GHz spectrum.
According the Brookings Institution, a think-tank in Washington, DC, USA for every percentage point increase of broadband penetration at state level, employment typically increases by 0.2% to 0.3% per year. Applied to Brazil’s workforce (IBGE 2007) that model would translate conservatively to the creation of 250,000 jobs nationally. "Since WiMAX is proven today across the globe it is very important that Brazil joins this global momentum. The Brazilian society cannot afford further delays in implementing a national telecom policy that will promote mass proliferation of broadband access. It is essential that widespread broadband services rapidly become available to provide significant gains in economic efficiency and productivity and to assist in diversifying income", said Shakouri.
During this year’s event, Yota´s success case is also to be presented. The Russian service provider delivers mobile broadband services via cutting edge Mobile WiMAX™ technology. Founded in May, 2007, Yota’s current services cover a total population of 23 million people, with more than 200,000 subscribers and operational break event point announced just this month. More than 1,200 customers are added per day and the company recently won licenses to operate in Nicaragua and Peru. Yota will begin the deployment of its WiMAX Latin America networks in Q4 2009 and the second quarter of 2010, respectively.
"We have a proven business model, knowledge, experience, reliable infrastructure, mobile services and variety of Mobile WiMAX embedded end-user devices. This allows us to deploy WiMAX networks in Latin America and, including Brasil, even faster that we did in Russia”, stated Ivanov. "We became the first Russian company to join the WiMAX Forum’s board of directors," Ivanov continued, "For two years we have worked hard to bring Mobile WiMAX to the market and promote this technology - not only in Russia, but throughout the world."
The WiMAX Forum supports Anatel’s proposal of incorporating mobility as part of the possibilities of 3.5 GHz, and maintains that moving forward immediately with a national 3.5 GHz auction in Brazil will create significant national economic benefits at a time of world economic crisis. The organization is also responding to Anatel’s public consultancy No31, for the 2.5 GHz spectrum.
Aggressive WiMAX Ramp Drives Evolution of the Wireless Internet
In addition to news about the Brazil WiMAX opportunity, the WiMAX Forum also announced several updates on how WiMAX is changing lives today with affordable, multi-megabit broadband worldwide.
The WiMAX Forum Certified™ program continues to see strong submission and certification results on products, including end user products such as netbooks and laptops. The WiMAX certification registry reached 154 products, with 14 new products certified in August and 11 in September. To view the WiMAX Forum Certified product showcase, please visit www.WiMAXForum.org. In addition to the six WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratories, WiMAX Forum is expected to open labs in Brazil and Malaysia in the coming year.
Recently, the number of WiMAX deployments reached approximately 504 networks in 145 countries. Regionally, Africa led with 109 deployments and Central/Latin America closely followed with 102. Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe reached 79 deployments each and Western Europe hosts 68 networks. North America and the Middle East grew to 49 and 18 deployments, respectively.
In addition to an increase in the number of networks tracked by WiMAX Forum, many of the already established WiMAX networks continue to expand rapidly. Examples include Yota, which expects to reach 200,000 subscribers on its Russian network this month, and Packet One Networks, which recently celebrated its first anniversary of operations with news that it had reached 80,000 subscribers. Clear, Sprint and Comcast all have also made strides in expanding their networks this year, with multiple U.S. city launches set to come by the end of 2009. UQ Communications plans to cover more than half of the Japanese population by the end of December, and KT’s Mobile WiMAX network already covers more than half of the Korean population. For more information on WiMAX deployments, please visit www.WiMAXMaps.org.
WiMAX Forum Keynote Agenda – Futurecom
Title: WiMAX Global Market and Technology Update
Keynote Speaker: Mohammad Shakouri – WiMAX Forum Vice President
Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 3:20 pm
Where: França Conference Room, A Pavilion
Title: "Yota: A WiMAX Operator's Perspective on Broadband"
Keynote Speaker: Yegor Ivanov - International Development Director
Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: Brasil Conference Room, A Pavilion
About the WiMAX Forum®
The WiMAX Forum® is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile services. Along these lines, the WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements.
"WiMAX Forum," the WiMAX Forum logo and the WiMAX Forum Certified logo are registered trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. "WiMAX," "Mobile WiMAX," "Fixed WiMAX," "WiMAX Certified," and "WiMAX Forum Certified" are trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. Third-party trademarks contained in this document are the property of their respective owners.
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