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Worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) is
likely to become popular in geographical pockets as it offers significant
benefits to the developing countries with poor existing infrastructure, states a
research report from Frost & Sullivan.
However, success of this technology in the developed world
depends on a number of factors. From the invention of the radio, the future of
technology has been wireless. The benefit of eliminating wires has led the
development of radio, satellite communication, cell phones, and eventually
wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi). This commoditization was responsible for the wide
adoption of the technology, leading to cheaper products and a rise in the usage.
"By eliminating the copper connection to the home,
customers could walk away from their current service providers and simply switch
to Internet access through a WiMAX tower in their town," says Frost &
Sullivan Research Analyst, Sivam Sabesan. "Although Wi-Fi is considered a
competitor for WiMAX, it is generally limited to a range measured in feet,
whereas WiMAX can operate in a radius defined in miles."
WiMAX received a boost when Intel began marketing it in
full-swing in early 2004. Looking to cover entire cities with Wi-Fi, Intel
decided to install a large number of access points, but the general consensus
was that management of these access points would be a difficult task. Internet
access had to evolve as a carrier technology and the company started working on
unlicensed spectrums. By mid 2006, Intel was widely promoting the WiMAX forum
and was making strategic investments in companies that had the potential to
become market leaders in this segment through its venture capital division.
Despite the hype, WiMAX products are only entering the market
now, though only trials are up and running. The mobile version will not be in
the market until 2007, when the first products get certified. The deployment of
equipment must be initiated for WiMAX to get the momentum. This is important to
bring the cost point lower and help it compete with other technologies.
Companies have invested heavily in competing technologies, as they have an
interest in seeing these technologies succeed. Competition with other
technologies is a restraint. WiMAX at the moment has some advantages over these
technologies, but not in all areas.
"People are discussing the WiMAX changing paradigms before
the commencement of widespread adoption and as with any new technology there are
always concerns regarding the generation of excessive hype about the
capabilities of the technology, the timeframes in which it will be available,
and the unit costs," notes Sabesan. "WiMAX also has to overcome issues
such as interference within the same frequency which could lead to a decline in
the QoS, which in turn would lead to regulations that directly affect the
popularity of the scheme."
The mass media often refers to WiMAX as the next generation of
Wi-Fi, but the real question is whether WiMAX will replace Wi-Fi as a preferred
access medium. The short answer is no. The two technologies will coexist. WiMAX
is likely to succeed as a technology because it has a standard, which means
lower prices, more competition and the ability to take over the market. In
addition, the developments in Asia Pacific in terms of the economy and booming
industries are likely to increase demand for this technology.
CIOL
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