Next Nokia Internet Tablet will launch in 2008 and have WiMAX
By Stefan Constantinescu on Wednesday, March 21st, 2007 at 6:19 pm PST In Nokia Internet Tablet
Am I the only one who reads Nokia (NYSE: NOK) press releases in their entirety? No one caught this little nugget of gold:
In addition to supplying Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel with WiMAX network infrastructure, Nokia will also develop WiMAX-enabled mobile devices, including multimedia computers and Internet tablets, which are expected to be available in 2008.
If the next Internet Tablet has GPS as well then I’m going to be all over it. Guaranteed.
I wonder what they meant by "Internet Tablets," does this mean we’re going to see more than one tablet introduced next year?
I love suspense.
March 21st, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Good catch Stefan, Ari Jaaksi in one of his blog posts mentioned that WiMax was part of the Internet Tablet strategy, it looks like I’ll be upgrading my N800 next year.
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:13 am
That’s why we read you!
March 22nd, 2007 at 6:26 am
Henrikki, true X)
March 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 am
Very nice work Stefan. Eye of an eagle. Definitely great news that slipped under many other’s radar.
March 22nd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Actually, about a month ago you yourself posted a quote from, or a link to, someone’s blog that mentioned WiMAX in the next Nokia (NYSE: NOK) tablet.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:05 am
WiMAX as the Top Wireless Trend for 2008
Fortune has named WiMAX as the top ten wireless trend for 2008.The naming of WiMAX as the top wireless trend for 2008 has not come as a surprise to industry watchers. A number of developments, happening in their own areas are now coming together to deliver the promise of a completely new mobile wireless experience, the first in over a decade. There are no less than ten reasons, which we foresee today, which are likely to make this prediction ring true.
Firstly, the price of CPEs based on bill of material costs has for the first time forecast to be below $100 (e.g. by Wavesat®). This is even without any of the large scale introductions of WiMAX networks, and even with relatively low CPE volumes in existence today. With volume the prices are set to nosedive even further.
Second, the year 2008 is slated to be one, where large scale introductions of WiMAX networks will happen. The launch of XOHM by Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel and WiMAX from Clearwire® will propel the availability of WiMAX to over 100 million of customers before the year is out. This follows over 200 trials and successful introductions in a number of countries.
Third, WiMAX technologies have now matured with the WIMAX forum certifying Wave 2 compatible mobile WiMAX devices. Chipsets are available e.g. from Beceem or Runcom amongst many others which provide immediate implementation of a variety of customer premises equipment(CPEs).
Fourth, the governments worldwide have now much higher awareness of the power of mobility as well WiMAX as an enabler of rural and urban connectivities and its potential in delivering high speed applications. With many of the countries adding 8-10 million users a month for mobile services, universal connectivity is squarely in focus. This is implying a better focus on regulatory issues to spur WiMAX networks.
Fifthly there is a greater availability of CPEs ranging from PC cards, USB modems, standalone gaming devices and internet tablets. Hence operators who do not possess wireline assets are now willing to take a plunge with the new technologies.
Sixth, there is now much better clarity on the use of spectrum for WIMAX and mobile WiMAX. With the WRC 2007 adopting the OFDMA-TDD as one of the approved air interfaces under IMT-2000 as well as clearly defining the WiMAX spectrum bands, many of the pending allocations can be quickly resolved.
Seventh, the success of programs such as M-Taiwan and Eratech® Argentina amongst many others have demonstrated that e-governance and universal connectivity are key drivers of global competitiveness. Regulators globally are seeking expeditious implementations of WiMAX networks, both through spectrum auctions as well as licensing etc.
Eighth, most of the legacy wireline and wireless networks based on TDM circuit switched architecture are nearing end of life and the new generation networks( NGNs) are invariably being implemented based on IP. WiMAX is one of the key wireless technologies which are based on completely open architectures, use of IETF protocols and use of IPv6. The use of WiMAX is seen not only as a migration to open IP core networks with support for mobility but also migration to IPv6 which is inevitable with growing base of mobile devices and mandates for such migration in many countries.
Ninth, the WiMAX technology, unlike its predecessor the WiFi, provides a number of quality of service classes, which can be defined for each connection and each application running over these connections. Thus it can support VoIP for rural telephony as easily as streaming video with their own QoS classes. It is now being seen as a key technology to enable true broadband capable of supporting a rich multimedia messaging and calling environments. Whether it is pictures with an 8Mp camera or an 80GB iPOD®, WiMAX can keep these wireless. Many applications are now ready to step out of the limited connectivity and the row resolutions enabled by today’s mobile networks.
Tenth and finally, all this would be in vain, were it not for some “big-bang” introductions of the technology, which immediately provide a critical mass for prices to come down sufficiently for even more users to subscribe to the service, thus creating a chain reaction.
With the impending launches in a number of countries, as well as launch of Sprint Nextel XOHM and Clearwire® services in USA, the stage is now fully set for just such a phenomenon.
Just as WiFi changed the landscape in the use of computers and mobile devices in just a couple of years, get set to witness the same for WiMAX this year. The drama is expected to unfold with veterans on the stage with the likes of Intel, Samsung, Motorola (NYSE: MOT) and Sprint being a part of the star cast and many years of rehearsing behind them. The drama will be played out on the world theatre, with virtually every country donning its colors and logo.