• MOST READ

• LATEST NEWS

Android and WiMAX have always seemed like a natural fit - both have roots in the PC/internet world's view of the open web taking over from conventional cellular models; and both are supported by Google. Google has worked closely with Sprint Nextel and Clearwire on creating software platforms for their WiMAX networks, is an investor in Clearwire, and set up the operator's 'developer sandbox' in Silicon Valley to boost apps support for the technology. Now three firms have formed a partnership to turn all this exploratory interest into actual products.

Beceem, the leading supplier of chips for WiMAX devices, particularly at Clearwire, is one of the trio, along with D2 Technologies and ECS. D2 provides VoIP and converged client software for IP devices, and ECS EliteGroup has been a pioneer in dual-mode WiMAX/GSM handsets, working with Israeli chip supplier Comsys.

The three firms are looking at optimized deployment of the Android OS and applications on smartphones and other devices for WiMAX, with a particular interest in VoIP, for operators that aim to deliver voice as well as the more common data services over the IP platform.

D2 is providing its mCUE converged communications client, Beceem the BCSM250 WiMAX modem, and these will be deployed on smartphones and MIDs such as the ECS T371.

D2 and Beceem have already partnered on the important area of enhancing the VoIP experience for WiMAX. Last month, they completed the world's first mobile VoIP calls over WiMAX and Android, using the Zoom OMAP34x-II mobile development platform and a Beceem modem, with D2's kernel level embedded voice engine.

These firms, and others, see Android - because of its open source nature and broad developer support - as a natural OS once WiMAX moves into smartphones, and other devices that require a full OS, browser and apps portfolio. This could help WiMAX carriers offer an experience similar to that of the 3G carriers - in terms of apps optimized for their devices and networks, and running on innovative MIDs, not just laptops - but enhanced by the higher speed and capacity of an as-yet uncongested 4G network, and by the pure IP platform. All these factors mean Google is almost certain to lend its support to activities like Beceem's.

Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow said this week that he expected to be offering smartphones in the middle of next year. Samsung has already created the Mondi MID, though this does not run Android. And HTC, the frontrunner in Android adoption, provides a WiMAX/cellular smartphone which is used by Yota in Russia - it would hardly be a big step to run Android and the HTC user experience, Sense, on that.

The Android news was announced at the WiMAX Forum Congress Americas event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More details of the discussions and news will follow.

Related Stories

COMMENTS

No comments yet. Be the first to add a comment!

Digital Money: The Convergence of Contactless Card and Mobile Payments

This report examines the emergence of digital money from the perspective of the convergence of card-based proximity payments to the...

Cloudbooks: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report is based on interviews with device OEMs, retailers and resellers and provides a comprehensive analysis of the new cloudbook...