NextWave collaborates on WiMAX handset

When it comes to WiMAX devices, most of the emphasis has been on data devices, not handsets. NextWave Wireless is breaking that mold. At the Mobile World Congress the company is showcasing their mobile WiMAX handset reference design that they announced last week. The company is collaborating with Finish firm Elektrobit on a reference design based upon NextWave's WiMAX chipset. Together the two firms hope that this design will help bring WiMAX handset reference designs to market quicker. 

Craig Miller, vice president of marketing at NextWave Mobile Products Semiconductor Unit, said that the company believes a lack of a handset design for WiMAX may prevent operators from transitioning to the technology. "This will help remove that barrier," Miller said.

NextWave is also working with operators Orange and T-Mobile UK on a mobile TV pilot for consumers in London via NextWave's MBMS-based TDtv solution. The six-month pilot, scheduled to commence in the second half of this year, proposes to reduce mobile broadcast costs by means of shared, unpaired 3G spectrum and a standards-based TDtv network--according to NextWave, the consortium model is designed for easy replication in more than 50 additional markets where unpaired 3G spectrum is available. -Sue

For more:
- see this press release