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Ask Mr Operator: “When will WiMax become standard for carriers?”

Started by Ewan · 10 months ago

Last week, I invited the Mobile Industry Review audience to pose questions to Mr Operator. For the benefit of those new to Mr Operator — the series is written by a chap working high up in one of the world’s international mobile operators. As such, Mr Operator has a rath ... Continue reading »

8 comments

  • tim

    10 months ago

    Rather than just for data, time and again I hear of an African or Asian state being flogged WiMAX as some wonderful alternative to GSM (yes mobile phones using WiMAX!). Quite frankly how many mobiles has anyone seen with WiMAX inbuilt (though a very few do exist). What would in fact be the point of selling expensive WiMAX handsets into an underdeveloped country when GSM/3G handsets are so cheap and ubiquitous.

    WiMAX has gone the same way as Iridium (late to market, too much money spent and over taken by other technologies) so there is little chance that it will make much of an impact.

    Yet some say there may still be hope for WiMAX as a cheap backhaul when deploying new GSM/WCDMA networks in remote areas. Some also say that Intel can not, will not, let WiMAX fail.
    reply
  • Mike42

    10 months ago

    Spot on Tim - the only financially-feasible use is the originally intended one - as vendor-neutral microwave backhaul. Bring on dem Gigabit Ethernet radio links - we're gonna need them all over the place come LTE time in 2010.

    WiMax's 'New Hope' is its raison d'etre.

    /m
    reply
  • ben

    10 months ago

    The funny thing about this is that it still needs to be said. People were claiming that Wifi would destroy 3G back in 2001 - it was a stupid idea then and it's still a stupid idea.

    On the other hand, fixed wimax is pretty decent as a last-mile solution in emerging markets - an alternative to copper for fixed connections.
    reply
  • Ewan

    10 months ago

    But you still have to use RJ45 plugs when you get to the office, is that
    right?

    2008/9/3 Disqus <>
    reply
  • andyhoops

    10 months ago

    Depends on the CPE offered by your WiMAX vendor / operator.

    For example...

    Another...
    reply
  • goodygoody2

    10 months ago

    Superb Article Mr. Operater :)

    This kinda stuff should be on the National Curriculum !!

    Back in 1998 (As a young 20year old) I was working in a Bluetooth startup. I had previously worked in Motorola and had managed to get onto the Bluetooth SIG Marketing Evengelism team. What I witnessed back then was Intel's unbendable belief to get "their" standard out the door and their ability and willingness to throw money at it to ensure nobody else got into the race.

    All Intel are itnerested in is selling their chips and if they've pegged their colours to WiMax you can be sure they will throw money hand over fist at it to make sure that they sell those chips!

    Maybe they should just cut their losses and open a Fish'N Chip Shop :)
    reply
  • South77

    10 months ago

    This could've been written 3 years ago. Hey, I predict Usain Bolt will win the 100 M at the bejing olympics!
    reply
  • MarkW

    10 months ago

    Fascinating stuff, as ever, even from someone without any vested interest other than the device in his hand!
    reply

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