NTC okays more frequency for wireless broadband

BY MARICEL E. ESTAVILLO, Reporter/BusinessWorld The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Monday approved additional allocation for wireless high-speed Internet under the frequency bands 2300-2400 and 3300-3400 megahertz (MHz). "There is an increasing demand for broadband wireless access, necessitating the re-allocation of additional frequency bands," read the NTC memorandum circular. Edgardo O. Cabarios, NTC director for common carriers, said in a telephone interview Monday that the additional frequency allocation can be used for WiMAX deployment. ‘LAST MILE’ SOLUTION Short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, the technology is touted as the next-generation "last mile" solution for wireless, wide-area broadband due to its ability to transmit data at speeds of up to 75 megabits per second (Mbps) per base station within a range of 2 km to 10 km. Specifically, Mr. Cabarios said the additional frequency allocation will cater to generic WiMAX equipment manufactured in South Korea. In South Korea, he said WiMAX is often called "WiBro" — short for wireless broadband. He said South Korea-manufactured equipment is cheaper than similar equipment manufactured in countries like the United States. High up-front cost is a restriction in the mass deployment of the technology. Prices of customer premise equipment (CPE) — the hardware needed to connect computers to WiMAX — are still within the range of $200 to $300, while prices for WiMAX base stations are anywhere between $40,000 and $250,000. But, by 2008, CPE prices are expected to fall below $100, while prices for network providers’ base station equipment are expected to fall below $15,000. "The Commission would like to fully support the goal to provide broadband access in as many frequencies as possible. Korea is currently the leader in broadband deployment, with 99% penetration," Mr. Cabarios said. 2008 DEPLOYMENT Here, chipmaker Intel Corp. and Globe Telecom, Inc. — through its wholly owned wireline subsidiary, Innove Communications, Inc. — are targeting the commercial rollout for WiMAX by 2008. Intel and Innove took the lead in deploying the first-ever local trials for WiMAX, spread out in various locations, namely: in General Trias and Trece Martirez in Cavite; Alabang in Muntinlupa; as well as in two remote sites in Leyte in Eastern Visayas and in Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao. Their WiMAX testing uses other radio frequency spectrum outside the 2300-2400 and 3300-3400 MHz bands. The tie-up between Intel and Innove is part of Intel’s Asian Broadband Campaign, a pan-regional program designed to accelerate wireless broadband deployment in Southeast Asia.