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'India can create 1,000 companies in the WiMax space...'
What is the ideal band for WiMax in India?
From worldwide momentum and performance, 2.3-2.5 GHz is best for mobile applications and 3.5 GHz is okay for fixed applications. In 700 MHz there are some issues for WiMax to operate as it requires 2 antennas and they need to be 1/3rd lambda apart to get the effect of the antennas. In 700 MHz one cannot get 1/3rd spacing in mobile.
700 MHz is good on range but loses badly on mobile. For rural and fixed network, 700 MHz is ok for voice. For converged operations, mobile band is best ie 2.3–2.5 GHz. In the urban environment, it is either mobile or fixed so it is 2.3–2.5 GHz. 2.3-2.5 GHz wins over everybody.
For WiMax one requires the 10 MHz band; in some countries it is 5 MHz. Presently, 10 MHz is the main momentum, 20 MHz will come later.
With respect to spectrum, US operators were asked to move to a different spectrum to accommodate large number of users. And even carriers can fund the transition to use spectrum for widespread public use. India can opt for this in the case of WiMax.
What are the areas of research where Indian companies can focus on WiMax?
The most important part of the phone is the chip but we do not have R&D strength and we are not playing in the fundamental layer. Next is the box level where there are big players like Nokia, Motorola and Nortel. And here also there are no Indian companies. The things that we do well is network installation and operation but in WiMax, India should take a lead and be equal to countries like the US, Japan, and Korea.
In 1992, Europe was going ahead in wireless and in order to promote wireless, the US government gave free spectrum to companies innovating wireless technologies. So, the Indian government has to take a lead and create initiatives for the private sector to enter. Say by giving free spectrum in one particular state. And all this will help in creating our own IP in WiMax.
India can create 1,000 companies in the WiMax space right from network management, connectivity, application and billing. Even in applications, focus will be on megabits speed in mobile, streaming, gaming, and movie clips. In VoIP there are 50 companies and each has its own differentiation. So, in WiMax, companies have to look for differentiation. And this speed will bring new things as mobile broadband is a revolution that one can't imagine.
What's your opinion about WiMax deployment in greenfield operations in India?
3G spectrum was given on the promise that it will provide broadband access but it has not delivered. 3G is there as people have lots of money and vendors have to sell their products. If the application is voice then stay with GSM. India should not be the ground for system builders to make some profit. India should leapfrog to WiMax and LTE as new technologies are delivering.
There is not a strong case for 3G in India. In 3G one can get average speeds of 350 Kbps for 2 circuits whereas in the case of WiMax it is 10 Mbps for 2 circuits. In terms of spectral efficiency, one gets around 2.5 times 3G.
Source: VOICE&DATA
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