STAMFORD, Conn.-Owing to its low cost, WiMax technology will emerge as a viable alternative for U.S. telecom carriers by 2006, according to a study by META Group.
The study also said it will be the third option beyond copper wires and voice over Internet Protocol by 2007.
This trend is emphasized by the mass exit of long-distance carriers from consumer markets, especially as leasing local copper lines has not worked, according to the research.
“The economics of the “wireless local loop” will drive alternative carriers to leverage WiMax technology, resulting in enhanced competition in the consumer voice market,” said David Willis, vice president with META Group’s infrastructure Strategies service. “Wireless economics have already proven true in mobile voice services, where the cost per line is 40 percent of the cost per equivalent wireline services. We expect the same economics to hold true in wireless data using WiMax.”
