NextWave, Alcatel-Lucent tie up for WiMAX TV

A strategic agreement has been forged between NextWave Wireless Inc. and Alcatel-Lucent for the integration of NextWave's MXtv technology into Alcatel-Lucent's WiMAX portfolio, based on the 802.16e-2005 (Rev-e) standard. The companies also plan to perform a series of interoperability tests with Alcatel-Lucent's commercial WiMAX infrastructure starting Q2 08.
In a separate deal, China communications gear supplier Huawei also said last week it would integrate the MXtv technology into its own WiMAX networking kit.

The MXtv technology has also been integrated into NextWave's low-power, Wave 2-compliant NW2000 series WiMAX subscriber device SoC. The device is currently being integrated into a wide range of devices with some device availability planned for 2H 08.

The technology is based on the TDtv mobile TV platform NextWave gained access to through the acquisition last year of UMTS-TDD kit supplier IP Wireless.

Promised benefits
NextWave says its latest broadcast technology will allow WiMAX operators to deliver rich and personalized multimedia services including mobile TV, interactive media and digital audio. NextWave said that macro-diversity technology is used to improve the broadcast performance over the WiMAX channel.

The offering promises 30fps QVGA and WQVGA content and up to 45 high-quality mobile TV channels in 10MHz with channel switching times below 2s.

Network operators can also dynamically allocate spectrum based on content availability, time of day requirements, user demand and the availability of live events such as sports, concerts, interactive reality shows or emergency broadcasts.

"User demand for mobile broadcast services is rapidly expanding and we believe that the exciting new applications offered through this alliance will provide mobile operators a unique ability to deliver the key differentiating feature of 4G networks," said Allen Salmasi, CEO of NextWave Wireless.

- John Walko
EE Times Europe