Mformation is a privately held company that specializes in software platforms that enable the carriers to manage the myriad of mobile devices and applications supported by a wireless carrier’s network. Managing the devices amounts to activities such as customer provisioning, device activation, subscriber services, content delivery, etc,,

Investors need to understand that operating a network involves not only vast amounts of capital but also operational dollars. The best way to reduce OP EX dollars is by outsourcing as much of the daily operation of the network. The goal is to reduce operational costs.

Designing and building a network is not a simple task; it is highly complex, expensive, and time consuming. Clearwire needs to reduce its time to market. Outsourcing can reduce the time to get Clearwire’s network operational. In fact it will be essential for Clearwire to seek as much outside help as possible. Remember many hands make light work. Outsourcing in a startup reduces the time to go operational.

The challenge for Mformation is that no one has ever managed a WiMAX network like Clearwire’s. Clearwire’s handsets will not be using phone numbers that identify each subscriber. Clearwire will be using media access control addresses and IP addresses. Think apples and oranges. A MAC address is a unique identifier that is assigned by the manufacturer to network adapters and interface cards. An IP address is a numerical identification and address for devices on an IP network. IP addresses are assigned by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. IP addresses are often assigned dynamically.

What we are looking at here is a FIRST on a massive scale. Fortunately for Mformation and Clearwire the network build out will be small initially hence giving all parties time to learn out to manage the network applications. Bottom line, the Clearwire network connects MAC addressed devices with an IP based core network. In short a challenge. I hope Mformation has the technical and operational know-how to get the job done.

According to Mformation’s website the company has experience in GSM and CDMA. The company also has experience in application management, real-time customer care, enterprise device management, and customer experience monitoring. All of this sounds like exactly what Clearwire needs. However, there is nothing about whether or not the company has dealt with WiMAX. It would be easy for me to take a few potshots at Mformation, however I won’t do that because quite frankly, I think the company should be able to stretch itself a bit to encompass WiMAX devices.

However, I will say this, no one has had to deal with a WiMAX network envisioned as big as the one Clearwire is envisioning. In this case size does matter. Think large number of different devices all requiring back end support over an IP network. This is a complicated task.

It will be an interesting technical feat to watch. I actually think the industry can learn a great deal from Mformation.