WiSOA Eyes Global WiMAX Roaming Agreement by Dec.
A new WiMAX spectrum owners’ coalition expects to sign a global roaming agreement in Dec. connecting “the next billion broadband users,” it said last week. The pact, a first, will cover all WiMAX services and operate in all WiMAX frequency ranges, said the WiMAX Spectrum Owners Alliance (WiSOA). Unlike mobile operators’ international roaming agreement, however, it isn’t likely to enrage the EC, WiSOA Secy.-Gen. Patrick O'Brien told us.
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WiSOA will focus on interoperable network infrastructure, services and agreements, it said. Its work will complement the WiMAX Forum’s, but the new group formed specifically to ensure that govts. and investors fully realize licensed spectrum’s value. Founders include Unwired Australia, Network Plus Mauritius, UK Broadband, Irish Broadband, Austar Australia/Liberty Group, Telecom New Zealand, WiMAX Telecom Group, Enertel and Woosh Telecom.
GSMA members have a dispute with the EC on international roaming fees. But WiSOA “does not expect to encounter the same problems,” O"Brien said. As a data service, WiMAX doesn’t charge the “high metered tariffs that mobile operators do,” he said. WiSOA has created a working group to review elements affecting WiMAX roaming, and will propose a tariff structure “that will not be objected to by the Commission,” he said.
Apart from the roaming agreement, WiSOA will address 2 matter. Another working group will look at WiMAX development and deployment in emerging and developing markets, O'Brien said. “WiSOA members believe that it is from these markets that the next billion broadband customers will be connected,” he said.
A 3rd working group will draft a joint specification and procurement model for WiSOA members. “We want the vendors to understand what operators need and to commit to deliver to us what we want when we want it,” O'Brien said. That will boost the available market for WiMAX hardware as more operators deploy the technology. The effort is supported by 8 leading vendors, he said.