Accelerated WiMAX IPR and industry

PRESS RELEASE

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October 2008: Press Release

Accelerated WiMAX IPR and industry
momentum push LTE development forward

Maravedis releases its
“WiMAX/LTE 4G Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) & Market Impact Report, 2^nd Edition”

MONTREAL, Canada, September 23, 2008 –Maravedis Inc. (www.maravedis-bwa.com) today revealed that accelerated WiMAX IPR and industry momentum has pushed LTE development forward by 3 or 4 years, to 2009-10.

“IPR is shifting to a broader set of factors. In addition to a wider array of technologies, it also includes globalization that shifts the balance of commercial influence from Europe and North America to rapidly developing economies like Brazil, Russia, India, and China,” said Robert Syputa, senior analyst at Maravedis and author of the report.

Consolidation among smaller players indicates further acquisitions by major stakeholders including Qualcomm, Intel, Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola, and Samsung. These will strongly influence overall IPR costs. Maravedis expects that as a result of the IPR agreement with Nokia, Qualcomm's position will strengthen in areas of development that will impact 4G, multi-mode, and video multi-casting. The ramp up of patents for non-core areas will continue to push the envelope towards “enhancement” technologies including “Smart Wireless broadband Network” topology that incorporates MIMO-OFDMA, and smart networking methods to leverage the core link platform to greater advantage.

The report covers IPR policies, regulations, forecasts, and reveals several important IPR trends that indicate the role major players could have in the emerging WiMAX/4G markets.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE AUTHOR:

Qualcomm’s settlement with Nokia reveals that the landscape of competition for wireless is shifting to a new openness of standards.
There has been continued acceleration and diversification of patent filings, notably in smart antennas, smart WBB networking, and multiple mode network operation.
Many additional patents overlap between 802.16m WiMAXm and LTE-TDD versions of IMTAdvanced, including those essential to the harmonization of base stations and devices.
WiMAX OPA is likely to add several more participants and cross the threshold of over 50% IPR used in WiMAX early in 2009.
China may be critical in LTE's overall success by playing a determining role in IPR and markets for the LTE-TDD advanced standard.

“As the industry ventures toward 4G, it is driven by developments in technology and in the market that are organized around industry standards and business alliances. There is now more than ever a clear need to look ahead at the impact IPR issues will have on the industry,” said Adlane Fellah, president of Maravedis. “Insights from the first edition of our IPR report have helped clients target R&D resources and develop patent licensing strategies - including patent pools - which have led to effective products and marketing programs.”

The WiMAX/LTE 4G IPR Policy & Market Report – 2nd Edition gives service providers powerful foresight regarding their upcoming IPR expenses, and helps manufacturers to position their IPR in the global patent scheme in order to direct their R&D and patent strategy. It also equips investors and financial analysts with the right tools to gain insight on upcoming trends in the industry, identify potential investment opportunities, provide a solid foundation to build a strong marketing plan, and understand how IPR and market trends may pressure new IPOs.

About Maravedis
Maravedis is a leading research and analysis firm focusing on Broadband Wireless technologies including WiMAX, 802.20, TD-CDMA and Wireless Local Loop Systems. Maravedis has established itself over the years as the most credible and reliable resource for market intelligence in the broadband wireless industry. Maravedis works with equipment vendors, service providers, regulators and the investment community to produce a sound market analysis based on hard primary data and on in-depth understanding of technology, market and regulation trends. For more information, visit www.maravedisbwa.com.

Click here to view the Executive Summary

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For More Information:
Adlane Fellah, Tel: +1 (305) 992-3196
afellah@maravedis-bwa.com
Robert Syputa, Tel: +1 (206) 367-6931
robert@maravedis-bwa.com