October 2000

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THIS MONTH'S AGENDA

The October meeting of the Wireless Communication Alliance (WCA) took place Tuesday, October 17, 2000.

 "Personal Broadband Access", Christian John, Director of Personal Data Products, ArrayComm.

The convergence of wireless and Internet communications is inevitable. However the industry has had to adapt the content and richness of the Internet to accommodate for the limitations of bandwidth and capabilities of portable devices used in current wireless systems. ArrayComm takes a fresh perspective to this problem by analyzing the market requirements and technical tradeoffs that would be faced in a wireless system designed specifically for broadband wireless Internet connectivity. The discussion will focus on the market requirements, such as high data rates, "always on" connectivity, and the freedom to move; as well as the technologies that are necessary to address this market at reasonable price points.

ArrayComm Home Page

Red Herring article on ArrayComm: "Aiming Smart Antennae at Wireless"

"Tanager Technologies Shares Its Broadband Wireless Access Business Plan" , Jeff Silverman, Founder & CEO, Tanager Technologies

Stagg Newmann, the previous Chief Technologist for the FCC, said that "there should be multiple, evolving standards and forms of interconnection." Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com states that "in 10 years all computers will be wireless." Tanager Technologies is preparing to launch broadband wireless Internet access service that represent the first step in the company's plan to build itself into a major player in the wireless data communications market. Jeff Silverman will discuss why he's chosen a network design based upon proprietary technology to bring powerful broadband wireless multimedia services to the masses. Mr. Silverman will present an overview of the company's terrestrial cellular-style architecture that emphasizes high bandwidth, coverage, efficient use of spectrum, and rapidly deployable network infrastructure that scales. Mr. Silverman will also present his vision of how the wireless market will continue to evolve in coming years, and explain how Tanager's focused business plan addresses evolving and future wireless markets.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

Christian John, ArrayComm

As Director of Personal Data Products, Christian John is responsible for the terminal equipment and chipset businesses for i-BURST, ArrayComm's personal wireless broadband access system. His past experience includes engineering management and development of terminal equipment and chipsets for cellular communication systems. He received his BSEE from the University of California at Davis, and MSEE and MBA from Santa Clara University.

Jeff Silverman, Tanager Technologies

Tanager is a start-up in the wireless local loop space, as well as Mobile Access at 10 Mbps. Their technology and business plan are unique. In addition to four years in wireless communications technology and business planning, Mr. Silverman has over 18 years experience in bringing award-winning software products to the consumer and education markets as both founder and CEO of Tanager Software Productions and as an early team member at Broderbund Software.