Is Video the Killer App for 4G?

One can argue that access to  web applications has turned out to be the "killer app" for 3G.

One might also speculate that video might be the killer app for 4G.

Click the image for a larger view that shows the various channels consumers now use for video.

Clearwire LTE Plans Won't Be Long In Coming

Clearwire and Sprint Nextel have been dropping clear hints that Clearwire could adopt Long Term Evolution as an air interface, either alongside its existing WiMAX network or as an eventual replacement.

Since the U.S. wireless industry has been through technology transitions before, it isn't hard to suggest how it might happen, and when. Companies have had to make transitions from one air interface to another within a single generation of technology, as well as migrating customers from an older generation to a new generation.

Where one air interface is switched out in favor of another within a technology generation, the trick is to add all new customers to the new interface while allowing the legacy base of customers to dwindle through attrition. At some point, the old network then can be shut down without undue disruption.

Where an older generation network is replaced by a next-generation network, additional spectrum also is required. If Clearwire wants to shift air interfaces within the fourth generation, it would maintain current customers on WiMAX, while creating a new LTE network alongside WiMAX, signing up new customers on LTE, and allowing WiMAX customers to gradually shrink through attritiion.

That suggests Clearwire will not want to wait too long, as it will want to limit the number of WiMAX customers it has to support while the LTE network is populated with customers.

As an operational matter--and there are other issues to consider--moving sooner is better than moving later, especially given the larger number of customers now coming onboard on the WiMAX network because of the popularity of the Evo.

On the other hand, abrupt action is not required, or even preferable, as the practical details of interworking between LTE and WiMAX, in the core of the network, will have to be proven, in a full deployment mode.

Handset suppliers will also need some time to ready suitable handsets that interwork, as devices now can use either the 2G and 3G networks, or 3G and 4G networks. Alternatively, Clearwire could encourage single-network devices.

With most consumers on two-year contracts, and a natural handset replacement cycle that runs two to three years, customers can be moved to LTE as they replace their current WiMAX devices.

The point is that Clearwire has plenty of spectrum, and industry executives have lots of experience with technology transitions. It will take some planning, and some time, but it is a normal and expected part of the business that air interfaces and networks are changed, at least every 10 years, and sometimes sooner, for other business reasons.

LTE Tests Signal Clearwire Is Serious

Google CEO Talks Up Synergy Between Mobile, Local, Social Networking

It doesn't take much insight to predict that Google will, sometime relatively soon, be making new moves in the location based services area.

Google already has made major and successful investments in mapping, local search, mobility, geo-location and navigation, for example. It also has made investments in location-based services that haven't gotten traction.

CEO Eric Schmidt recently has been talking up the synergies between mobility, local search and social networking.

“Foursquare and Gowalla are pretty impressive," says Google CEO Eric Schmidt. "They show you the power of mobile,social and local,” Schmidt said.

“Google will play in that market in a lot of ways,” Schmidt added.

http://www.mobilemarketingwatch.com/lbs-roundup-foursquare-improves-its-looks-google-hints-at-gowalla-acquisition-8289/

Video Mashup About Google Verizon Net Neutrality Talks

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Google CEO Schmidt: "People Aren't Ready for the Technology Revolution"

Some people like the ability to remain anonymous on the Internet, while others are not so sure. Most of the bad behavior that happens on the Internet is "anonymous" in terms of its source.

Given the increased use of the Internet for criminal or anti-social purposes, it isn't too surprising that governments would want some way to track "anonymous" users.

"The only way to manage this is true transparency and no anonymity," says Eric Schmidt, Google CEO. "In a world of asynchronous threats, it is too dangerous for there not to be some way to identify you."

"We need a [verified] name service for people. Governments will demand it," he says. At some level, it is hard to disagree.

Google CEO Schmidt: "People Aren't Ready for the Technology Revolution"

LightSquared Gets First Customer

LightSquared, the Harbinger Capital venture planning to build a nationwide wholesale Long Term Evolution network, has found its first customer. Airspan Networks, a provider of connectivity to utilities for their smart grid efforts, says it will resell some of LightSquared spectrum to utilities.

LightSquared’s Proposed 4G Network Gets a Smart Grid Customer

Best Buy to Launch its Own Tablet PC

Best Buy’s CTO Robert Stephens says the firm is going to sell its own branded tablet PC. There are no details about operating system or who the manufacturer is. Some will note that it looks like an HP Slate. That would suggest a nine-inch screen.

Best Buy’s CTO Tweets Out Pics Of A Rocketfish Tablet