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Qualcomm keeps Google sweet with 700MHz support
IF THE USA's 700 MHz spectrum auction really does produce networks that are truly 'open' – as Google is demanding – then it would seem logical for both established 3G standards to work at 700 MHz.
The INQ asked Qualcomm this question and guess what? The company had quietly announced support for 700MHz, the same day Google said it was going to bid for 700MHz spectrum.
The product in question is the RTR6570 CMOS transceiver which is scheduled to sample circa Q3 2008, and should be ready in time for the first 700 MHz service launches which are anticipated to be around Q1 2009.
The RTR6570 will support both CDMA2000 and W-CDMA (UMTS) in the 700 MHz bandwidth. It also supports all other 3G frequency bands in the United States which include 850 MHz, 1700/2100 MHz, and 1900 MHz for CDMA2000.
With an eye to keeping Google happy, Steve Brown, a senior director with Qualcomm, commented, "The RTR6570 will help to ensure the availability of devices when the first services in 700MHz launch, helping accelerate the commercialisation of new application possibilities for wireless users."
But hang on. If the new 700MHz networks are going to be truly open, then surely they would have to support Mobile Wimax – 802.16e - too?
As far as Qualcomm is concerned, however, this ain't going to happen. Back in early 2006, Qualcomm CEO, Paul Jacobs announced that 802.16e was dead and that the real future lies with a different standard - 802.20.
As Qualcomm's Peter Carson explained to the INQ, the company hasn't seen any major Telco announcing support for all three. So adding it into a chip – like the RT6570 – would raise the cost unnecessarily.
"We just don't see the demand," he added. "We look at the broader market and the business case is not proven at this point."
So there you have it. A 700MHz network which supports all three 3G technologies? Definitely won't happen in Qualcomm's view. µ
See Also
Wimax
is dead says Qualcomm
Tags: Google
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Is the RT6570 the "World Mode" chip that the Qualcomm CEO discussed previously ?

As far as the wikipedia link ,a cursory reading reveals that both 802.16e and 802.20 have similar limitations as is demonstrated in the conclusion of that article.
"Since the evolution of core air-link technologies has approached the practical limits imposed by Shannon's Theorem, the evolution of wireless has embarked on pursuit of the 3X to 10X+ greater bandwidth and network efficiency gains that are expected by advances in the spatial and smart wireless broadband networking technologies. What will clearly define 4G more than either WCDMA or OFDMA wireless link methods will be wireless networks that more effectively adapt to and take advantage of available spectrum."

Could the 700MHz spectrum be that spectrum required for 4G implementation to begin to be practical ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimax#802.16e
Look at the table along the right side. WiMAX is a "Pre-4G" technology. The reason...
3G networks are telephone networks with data access methods slapped onto them. WiMAX IS ONLY a data network, and if you want voice, you use a VOIP application. The reason it would cost so much is that it is a completely different way of thinking about the network.