Ericsson highlights LTE advantages, as WiMAX wobbles

Days before the Indian government accepts bids for WiMAX spectrum, Ericsson's CTO, Hakan Eriksson, has emphasised the issues that operators would experience if they adopt the technology.

According to Eriksson, it is commonly accepted within the wireless industry that WiMAX requires a minimum 30MHz of spectrum; whereas the Indian government is offering only 20MHz. This, said the CTO, could result in severe interference problems, whereas LTE is already in operation with a number of operators and only months away from large scale deployments.

According to reports, the Indian WiMAX auction will be for two slots of 20MHz with 11 bidders already registered in what is expected to be an aggressive fight to secure spectrum.

However, two WiMAX stalwarts, US Clearwire and Russia's Yota, have both indicated this week that they could use LTE in the future. Clearwire's CEO, Bill Morrow, also called for the telecoms industry to focus on bringing WiMAX and LTE closer together.

Earlier this month, Russian operator Svyazinvest picked TD-LTE over WiMAX for mobile broadband, and Qualcomm said it would bid in an Indian mobile broadband auction for TD-LTE spectrum.

"WiMax is a great idea, but with no market support. They came with innovation, but someone else will capitalize on it," said Fabricio Martinez, consulting practice director at Aircom.

For more on this story:
Wireless Federation & Reuters

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