Xorg

Can WiMAX Triumph Over Its Competitors?

There will be winner or loser, they'll both co-exist. This isn't like the Bluray/HDDVD fight. It's more like cable vs. dsl, satellite tv vs cable tv. There was no 'winner' in the latter two as the playing field is defined by what resources are available to the provider.

WiMAX will be pushed by IEEE and the consumer electronics industry. LTE will be pushed by the telcom industry. Both will exist long term.

One advantage for WiMAX in the states is that Sprint/Clearwire have over 100mhz of spectrum per market dedicated to WiMAX. ATT/Verizon have only about 25mhz or so for LTE. This mean far more WiMAX bandwidth can be distributed to end users in the States.

Can WiMAX Triumph Over Its Competitors?

You have to consider how WiMAX will easily get in the hands of consumers. WiMAX will likely be standard in most laptops in a year or so. Many will be buying laptops that happen to have WiMAX and may not even know it. They see a hotspot, think it's WiFi and sign up. It will be a self-marketing network for Sprint and other WiMAX providers. When a self-marketing network can be demonstrated, it will be easier to find funding to rollout to other cities.

When WiMAX/WiFi combo chipsets cost the same as WiFi only (it's only about a $6-$10 difference today), existing WiFi product makers of all kinds of consumer electronics products will naturally drop in WiMAX, ideally not having to deal with carriers. Consumer electronics product makers are already tied into IEEE, which is WiFi/WiMAX. WiMAX will naturally end up in cameras, GPS devices, streaming MP3 players/iPOd, PSP/gameboy etc.

LTE is controlled by 3GGP, the telcom industry. For LTE to make it in a wide array of products, they'll have to pay device makers to put it in on a case-by-case basis. It will not occur broadly or naturally as WiMAX.

First Out of the Gate: WiMax Vs. LTE

You have to consider how WiMAX will easily get in the hands of consumers. WiMAX will likely be standard in most laptops in a year or so. Many will be buying laptops that happen to have WiMAX and may not even know it. They see a hotspot, think it's WiFi and sign up. It will be a self-marketing network for Sprint and other WiMAX providers. When a self-marketing network can be demonstrated, it will be easier to find funding to rollout to other cities.

When WiMAX/WiFi combo chipsets cost the same as WiFi only (it's only about a $6-$10 difference today), existing WiFi product makers of all kinds of consumer electronics products will naturally drop in WiMAX, ideally not having to deal with carriers. Consumer electronics product makers are already tied into IEEE, which is WiFi/WiMAX. WiMAX will naturally end up in cameras, GPS devices, streaming MP3 players/iPOd, PSP/gameboy etc.

LTE is controlled by 3GGP, the telcom industry. For LTE to make it in a wide array of products, they'll have to pay device makers to put it in on a case-by-case basis. It will not occur broadly or naturally as WiMAX.

With WiMAX and 3G on Your PC, What Will Happen?

Don't forget that Sprint is also coming out with EVDO/WiMAX combo cards later this year. Sprint also roams on Alltel EVDO, which is greater than Verizon and ATT coverage (for now).

When Intel puts out WiMAX/WiFi chipsets out at nearly the same price as WiFi only, the game will be over. The laptop makers just need to drop in the chipset. With 3G, they have a lot of extra overhead to work with the carriers.

WiMAX will also likely make it to a variety of devices since its controlled by the IEEE. The consumer electronics industry is already tied to IEEE. LTE will probably not make it into a wide array of devices because it is controlled by the telcom industry. Just ask Apple how fun that has been.

Clearwire: WiMax Rollout Begins, Signifies Industry Changing Potential

You are incorrect that Clearwire will acquire Sprint XOHM assets. Sprint will own 51% of the new Clearwire and keep the Clearwire name.

WiMAX will succeed because within a year, people will be buying WiMAX products and not even know it. Sprint won't even have to market it. The device makers will.

WiMAX will be standard on laptop within a year. MP3 players, GPS devices, cameras and other device will have WiMAX in a year or two. People will be buying these products and not even know WiMAX is in it. Once Sprint can say there are all of these millions of devices out there that they didn't even have to sell, they'll be able to convince investors more easily to fund the US rollout even further.