These days, in many markets, people using smart phones are on the fixed networks for Internet access, more than on the mobile network.  In North America, as much as 82 percent of Internet traffic from smart phones occurs indoors, where users can take advantage of Wi-Fi, instead of the mobile network, Analysys Mason suggests. In Western Europe, as much as 92 percent of Internet usage from smart phones occurs indoors. So to a large extent, [...]

Whether TV white spaces spectrum is going to be a big deal or not might hinge on how much real spectrum is available in given markets, plus manufacturing volume to get retail prices of network elements down to a level where the spectrum has a reasonable business case. At a high level, it isn’t going to help as much in urban areas, where interference issues are more constraining. It might prove quite important in some [...]

It sometimes is easy to forget that it isn’t as easy to become an ISP in some nations, as in others. Consider the matter of “unlicensed spectrum,” for example. “Unlicensed” spectrum exists. But use of that spectrum is, in about 66 percent of nations, is not really non-licensed. Based on responses from 75 countries, 33 percent of national regulators require a license to use 2.4, or 5 GHz “unlicensed” spectrum, a study found. Another 33 [...]

If you wanted to rip cost out of any device, app or network, what are some of the things you’d do? You’d remove parts. You’d probably reduce size. Shoretel, for example, sells docking stations for iPhones and iPads, for example, that allow the iOS devices to act as the CPU, when the docking station providing all the peripheral support. And that’s as good an example as any of how a network designer would try and [...]

There is one thread that underlies thinking and business strategy at firms as disparate as Google, Netflix and Microsoft, namely Moore’s Law. Even if communications does not scale in the same way as memory and processing, Moore’s Law underpins progress on the communications front, at least in terms of signal compression, the power of network elements and cost of those elements and systems built on those building blocks.   As Intel CEO Paul Otellini tells [...]

BT appears to have changed its mind about the retail mobile market. Having won 4G spectrum (2×15 MHz of FDD and 20 MHz of TDD 2.6GHz spectrum), BT suggested it would not build a national retail network but use the 4G spectrum as a way to augment its fixed network operations. Now BT says it will launch its own retail 4G network. The thinking is that BT will source wholesale mobile connectivity from one of [...]

“The total worldwide telecom market grew by 3.2 percent during 2012, and IDC is forecasting growth of 3.4 percent during the 2013 time frame, with the market settling into a steady growth rate of about 3.2 percent during the forecast time frame,” according to Courtney Munroe, GVP, Worldwide Telecommunications, Mobility, and Network Infrastructure, IDC. But those service provider revenues will be unevenly distributed. What is not so clear from those global statistics is the actual [...]

It hasn’t happened yet, but it is predictable that, at some point, concerns will be raised about the extent of coverage of gigabit access networks in the United States. One might argue that is a fair public policy concern, but also a concern that some might argue has to be secondary to promoting the building of gigabit networks as widely as possible. Even within its own chosen cities, Google Fiber builds first in neighborhoods where [...]

The new version of Google Maps will personalize and customize map detail for each user.  When users set “Home” and “Work” locations, star favorite places, write reviews and share with friends, every Google Map instance automatically will include such details within the mapping experience.  The new “carousel” gathers all Google Maps imagery in one spot enabling users to fly through cities, walk canyon trails, climb mountains, and even swim the oceans, Google says.  And on a WebGL-enabled browser, like Google Chrome, [...]

One of the adoption issues with Google Wallet or any other type of mobile payment system is getting a critical mass of users and merchants. One new helpful wrinkle for Google Wallet is a coming ability to send money to anybody with an email address (no need for them to use GMail).  That isn’t a direct mobile payment app, but certainly will have critical mass.