Lets get on the treadmill and start moving

Implications: In a recent survey it was clear that the 'ecosystem' is the most or second most important factor behind generating momentum behind roll out of WiMAX networks. What any operator needs is the ability to deliver and bill for content & service and that means giving or selling a device to the customer to both use and access content. With this step change many more operators and would be operators can now plan for roll outs and know that users will have a choice of devices to use.

Analysis: After delays, caused not by the device manufacturers themselves but due to the operators ensuring that they had the right go to market model, the commencement of critical 2.5GHz auctions and the availability of the all important Testing facilities, the leading chip suppliers and ODM/OEMs are ready to start shipping in volume.

There is a very tight relationship between silicon suppliers and the OEM/ODMs which either supplier large name vendors or operators direct or sell through other branded outlets. They are order driven and need something to sell and somebody to buy. Simple really.

With Taiwan's local WiMAX market talking of late '08/early'09 and the increasing penetration of mobile WiMAX into Western Europe and Asia this will ensure a critical mass, or volume, which then drives down prices etc.

This industry knows where the pricing has to get to and now its the hard slog to get there.