NextWave Wireless Unveils Multimedia Platform For WiMax Operators

NextWave Wireless reported it has developed a mobile multicast and broadcast technology for WiMax operators that is compatible with the 802.16e standard. The platform, called MXtv, will be delivered by Huawei Technologies, according to the announcement Monday.

The platform will let WiMax operators deliver a range of multimedia services including mobile TV, interactive media services, and digital audio. Service providers won't have to invest in new spectrum or additional radio access network equipment to make use of the technology.

"MXtv's wide range of applications completely transforms the economics of WiMax for operators," said Allen Salmasi, chief executive officer of NextWave Wireless, in a statement. "MXtv will provide WiMax operators a unique opportunity to generate significant incremental revenue by delivering relevant and highly targeted interactive advertising to customers while maintaining control over the nature and extent of content delivered over their network."

The platform supports 30 frames per second QVGA and WQVGA content, while providing as many as 45 mobile TV channels in 10 MHz. Network operators can dynamically allocate spectrum across a variety of factors including content availability, time-of-day constraints, user demand, and important live events like sports contests or emergency broadcasts.

NextWave said network vendors will find it relatively easy to integrate MXtv into their networks because the technology will be incorporated in NextWave's Wave 2-compliant MW2000 WiMax system-on-a-chip for mobile devices.

Huawei will integrate MXtv technology into its base station and ASN-GW network platforms, which conform to the 802.16e air interface standard. Commercial sampling is expected to be available in the third quarter of 2008, NextWave said, adding that the two companies have competed initial design and implementation. Interoperability testing is currently underway at NextWave's Del Mar, Calif., facilities.