[opendtv] Cox signs up for Qualcomm hosted BREW services
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:09:08 -0400
Whoa. I hadn't heard of this before.
Cox creates what amounts to a 3G network, initially using cdma2000
(which is wideband CDMA similar to any other 3G network), to expand its
walled garden coverage to wireless and mobile. In the 700 MHz band.
"With a view" to move to LTE in 2011.
BREW sounds like iPhone-like smart phones.
It will be interesting (for me) to see whether, or why, all of these 3G
services will really feel the need to switch over to LTE, come
2011-2012. Given that they can just continue to up their bit rates
compatibly with CDMA schemes.
Bert
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Cox signs up for Qualcomm hosted BREW services
By PETER WHITE
Published: 21 August, 2009
It was probably in the bag as soon as Cox Communications announced that
it would build a CDMA2000 network, but Qualcomm has just revealed that
Cox will use its BREW content development and delivery platform for its
own cellular network.
Cox is one of the biggest US cable operators, behind market leaders
Comcast and Time Warner Cable, and has split from the rest of its cable
compatriots in that instead of throwing it mobile hopes in with
Clearwire, it successfully bid for spectrum in the US AWS and 700 MHz
auctions and will build its own mobile platform. The idea is to offer
services direct within the footprint of its cable services, naturally
using its own systems for backhaul, and then to roam outside off that
area using Sprint.
For some years now all the US cable operators have been trying to
establish a triple play - offering TV, high speed internet and VoIP
fixed voice services - and now need to turn the screw on US carriers
like AT&T and Verizon, by offering mobile as well in a clear Quad play
proposition. Almost all of the larger cable operators have gone with a
combination of offering Cellular services under the Pivot agreement they
had with Sprint, and will then move on to offering Clearwire services
through WiMAX, with Cox being the exception.
Now it has agreed to begin service design and initiation using
Qualcomm's Brew, and following the launch of Cox's wireless service, its
wireless subscribers with BREW enabled handsets will be able to download
a wide variety of applications that it is setting up now, including
games, tools, lifestyle, location, messaging and ringtones. Qualcomm has
in fact cut a deal to host these services for Cox, because building them
from scratch would likely take way too long.
"In today's competitive telecommunications market, providing subscribers
with premium data services that are relevant to them helps build brand
recognition and customer loyalty," said Arvin Chander, vice president
for Qualcomm Internet Services. "Deploying their BREW-based service
gives Cox the opportunity to generate additional revenue within wireless
services."
"The overall customer experience is a key factor in choosing operating
systems to support our wireless service," said Dane Dickie, executive
director of product operations at Cox Communications. "Qualcomm's BREW
will enable our customers to enjoy a personalized experience with our
wireless service."
BREW is currently in use by 60 operators which recently had Qualcomm's
Xiam recommendation system built into it and Qualcomm offers a number of
ready made applications under the Plaza brand.
Cox will build a CDMA2000 3G network starting this year, with a view to
moving to LTE at the mobile broadband stage, around 2011. It will
initially roll out CDMA EV-DO, with equipment from China's Huawei, in
the AWS band, and will keep most of the 700MHz assets for rural coverage
and for future LTE. The CDMA2000 network should be on offer in the
fourth quarter.
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