The impact of WiMax on the mobile telephony industry could be
profound, and carriers need to put together strategies concerning
the wide area wireless technology now, industry experts urged
today.
In-Stat warned
existing cellular carriers that WiMax may become a big competitor.
However, the analyst firm conceded that the technology could also
be a great ally, or a minor factor for established mobile
operators.
"WiMax faces many challenges, including multiple incompatibility
standards, different frequency allocations in each country, and
expensive consumer devices, " said In-Stat analyst Allen
Nogee.
"But fixed-line WiMax is here, and mobile WiMax will be arriving in
the next few years."
A newly published In-Stat report predicted that voice over WiMax
will not start affecting mobile operators much before 2009.
The study noted that there are many "profiles" in different regions
of the world, meaning that WiMax devices will almost certainly
operate differently in different regions unless device
manufacturers are willing to accept extra expenses to make a
universal WiMax device that supports all profiles.
When WiMax competes with mobile telephony, cellular operators will
be forced to lower their prices for wireless data services over
existing mobile infrastructures.
Even if WiMax fails after that point, it is unlikely that cellular
carriers will ever again be able to charge the amount they
currently do for wireless data services, In-Stat predicted.