Free Newsletter
The coming WiMAX-4G-3G melee
Things are coming to a head as WiMAX, 4G and 3G will be competing for many of the same constituencies. Dublin-based research group Research and Markets has just come out with a new report on the coming melee. Among the report's findings: Moving from 3G to 4G should simplify making applications available to mobile users because of the faster data rates; this will make the middleware used to adapt applications for the slower speed of wireless systems obsolete; the availability of a complete IP based service with the security of a VPN to the mobile end-user will be a major benefit; access to the network will be continuous.
The face off between 4G, WiFi and WiMAX will revolve around a globally adopted network of shared applications, resources, and standards which meet a minimum delivery requirement of VoFi, broadband and multimedia services to all 4G enabled end-users. The technology best performing in this contest will emerge as the solution of choice. If WiMAX can gain a loyal customer base with revenue projections, the cellular companies will merger quickly with them.
If you are a network operators faced with the need to make decisions about the trade-off issues among 4G, WiFi and WiMAX; a supplier of equipment or software wondering about the shape of the market; or an investor looking for an angle, you may want to take a look at this report.
For more on the report:
- see Research and Markets website
Be the first to comment
Comments
Posted by Michael | November 7, 2006 - 4:02pm
I would feel a great deal more confident in the value of this report if the publishing entity had been able to correctly spell the word "versus" in the overview of the paper on their website.
To quote: "The face off between 4G verses Wi-Fi verses WiMAX..."
At last check, "verses" is the plural of verse. "Versus" indicates items in opposition.
How comfy am I about parting with 530 Euros now?
Posted by Anonymous | November 7, 2006 - 5:19pm
Nice to analyze a market that hasn't been defined yet... 4G requirements have yet to gain any widespread agreement, let alone the technology specifications. The implication is that WiMax can be lumped with 4G when in fact, it will perform much like 3G when deployed. A comparison between 3G and WiMax is relevent but the suggested melee between 3G and 4G is too far off to be relevent today. 3G is still ramping up and will continue to do so for years to come. WiMax is coming soon but will be more of a niche and complement the 3G networks than the current hyperbole would have us believe.
Posted by P-Jar | November 8, 2006 - 12:13am
I agree, anyone trying to sell their goods should put their best foot forward - including correct spelling. That said, there are a few other things to think about.
I'm not sure we can say that WiMAX will perform like 3G. Honestly, Sprint wants to use 20 MHz channels - if they can't get the service to perform better (faster, for more people) than 3G, they've got problems.
The idea, however, that performance will determine a winner between technologies is insane. Yes, it will play a part. However, so will regulations (will WiMAX be possible in European 2.5 GHz spectrum?), ecosystems (is there one?) and the simplicity of upgrades (can UMTS kit be easily evolved to support LTE?).
Separately, can we please stop calling Research and Markets a "research group?" They're a reseller. They don't write reports. They don't have a "new report." They resell other people's work. Let's not give them too much credit (or flak).
.
.
.
P-Jar
