A Glimpse Into Tomorrow - Last Mile
A Glimpse Into Tomorrow
Last Mile
Eran Eshed, Altair Semiconductor
Sept. 1, 2008
Sometimes we, the technology guys, tend to ignore the “Whys” in favor of the “Hows” behind technology developments. Rather, we develop new technologies just because we can. In other words, not all new technologies are developed with a clear idea in mind of what exactly they will be used for and what kind of need they will serve.
However, in many instances the availability of the technology as an enabling service platform has to be developed before solid use cases and business models could be conceived. At times, the technology development cycle is long enough that the applications and services that specific technology ends up delivering could not have been conceived of at the time it was architected.
Mobile WiMAX is not any different. Carriers, equipment vendors and semiconductor companies started investing in its development more than seven years ago. Back then, wired broadband technologies like DSL or cable modems were making baby steps in developed markets, with a killer application that was simply fast Internet access. Third generation (3G) networks were already partly deployed, but the user adoption was very disappointing. Fancy iPhone-like mobile devices were almost science-fiction at that time. Even if these cutting edge devices had been available in 2001, mobile processors running at just 200 MHz could not have supported them. When Altair Semiconductor was an early stage company, it was constantly hearing questions from potential investors who were looking to understand why anyone would be willing to pay an extra $20 a month for fast Internet access over a mobile handset.
Fast forward a few years and you find a different world. The way we consume and share information over our home PCs and portable notebook computers is nothing we could have envisioned a decade ago. And now, it is all going mobile. Arguably, it is still difficult to imagine what roles the Internet and access to advanced services will play in our children’s lives decades from now, but it is evident that this technology will take center stage. And slowly, but surely, as mobile technology continues its evolution, it seems that this picture is starting to get a little clearer.
In late August, Sprint’s Xohm mobile WiMAX division announced a new location-based service which it intends to offer to its customers in the coming months. Xohm’s vision for the future of location-based search includes numerous devices such as laptops, mobile handheld devices, cameras, car navigation systems and much more. The notion of being able to perform quick searches and have results prioritized based on one’s physical location is a very powerful concept. Searching for movie tickets would, for example, bring up results for the closest theaters. And all of these results could include mapping, driving directions and even videos showing relevant promotional information and sponsored advertisements.
Location-based services are just one example. Other services that are being developed include always-on, remote vehicle telemetry and road-side assistance. With this service, a car company’s service center can be in constant, two-way communications with each of its customers’ vehicles. As a result, the company could conduct periodic computerized maintenance checks, identifying potential car-system malfunctions and alerting those customers before further damage is caused or the vehicle breaks down.
In addition, consumers will as also be able to instantly share photos directly from the camera, or engage in online gaming anywhere, anytime and on the move.
It is clear that we are on the verge of a connected-revolution — one that I believe will be much more impactful than the one we had experienced eight or ten years ago when we moved from narrowband dialup to broadband DSL. What we are seeing today is exciting, but we must remember it is only the beginning of this revolution — there is much more to come. In the coming months and years, we technology guys will continue building these broadband wireless delivery platforms, while comprehending only some parts of the revolution they will enable.