Summary
WiMAX is the way to keep the cellular backhaul costs low. Personally, I think Clearline’s estimate of 30 million customers is probably conservative.
Analysis
In my view, WiMAX is the only wireless standard today that has the ability to deliver true broadband speeds. One might even say that WiMAX is a medium that would make the vision of pervasive connectivity a reality. It is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, and is expected to enable true broadband speeds over wireless networks. WiMAX has been forecasted to be at a cost point that would enable mass market adoption.
Both the fixed WiMAX (suitable for many homes and businesses) and mobile WiMAX are designed to provide high-speed wireless services at a low cost. WiMAX networks are designed for high-speed data and will spur innovation in new mobile devices and provide content to where it is requested in a cost efficient manner.
I foresee that in the not too distant future, WIMax devices will see its way into many of the everyday devices that people use in their homes and outside.
Bottom line, Clearwire cannot do it all alone but with the help of companies like Intel, Sprint, Google, Comcast, etc, they can reach the 30-50 million customer base in ten years and become a formidable player in this area.
