It was, like most technology-focused conferences, a decidedly equipment-centric event. But new information about vendor alignments revealed at last week's Broadband Wireless World Forum in San Francisco shed light on how the hotly competitive manufacturing environment will likely develop.

The most significant news came in the form of an offhand mention by a Lucent Technologies representative that the company is engaged in an OEM arrangement for broadband fixed wireless systems with San Jose-based start-up Netro Corp.

The relationship-likely part of the reason Lucent has been able to score big deals with the likes of WinStar and Advanced Radio Telecom-began around the time Lucent acquired a component division of Hewlett-Packard in early 1997 and established its broadband wireless beachhead in Silicon Valley. Netro's gear was being tested in Lucent's lab just as Lucent was forging a contract with ART.

"We had enough confidence in the long-range vision of the technology, but we were still committed to a partnership-based model," said Larry Schwerin, general manager of Lucent's wireless broadband networks division. "We looked at ART's business needs and where Netro was going and saw what we believed to be a good match."

Last week's revelation of the OEM deal surprised the industry and even Netro, which was nonetheless ecstatic to be publicly acknowledged as a Lucent partner.

"We share the same vision that for data-dominated traffic, packet-switching technology is the right architecture," said Gideon Ben-Efraim, CEO of Netro.

With Netro's packet-switched, time division technology as part of its On-Demand product, Lucent is a strong vendor rival for broadband wireless-particularly to Nortel Networks, which leapfrogged other players last year when it simultaneously acquired Broadband Networks Inc. and bagged a coveted contract from Teligent.

Nortel is developing several versions of its platform: frequency division for dedicated access, time division for shared pipes and "pure IP" for data-only applications, said Doug Smith, chief operating officer for Nortel's broadband wireless access division. "We're doing all three because each works best for different market segments," he said.

Nortel recently announced a contract to provide its system to Touch America, the telecom subsidiary of Montana Power Co. and a holder of local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) licenses.

Much of last week's broadband wireless buzz was attributed to the recent acquisition of LMDS license-holder WNP Communications by Nextlink Communications, a competitive local exchange carrier backed by Craig McCaw. McCaw, after all, is seen as a sort of technological barometer, and many view his endorsement and involvement as evidence that broadband wireless has come of age.

One of the remaining variables in the sector are the dozens of small manufacturers that hope to make it on the broadband wireless circuit. Despite the competitive pressure, Netro's involvement with one of the big system manufacturers and integrators is likely a hopeful sign.

"We're not going to become Lucent-unfortunately for us," said Inon Beracha, R&D vice president at Giganet, an Israeli radio manufacturer. "We're looking for OEM relationships to get to market."

Last week's broadband wireless focus prompted other equipment developers to show off who's buying their gear.

Cisco Systems said it signed a memorandum of understanding with Canadian network operator WIC Connexus, making it the primary supplier for the carrier's fixed wireless system. Cisco will use radio equipment from Bosch Telecom and begin joint product development with that company.

Newbridge Networks announced new deals last week with Canadian-based MaxLink Communications and with U.S. LMDS license holder Home Telephone.