WiMAX set to take off
19 May 2004
News
From an operators' perspective, WiMAX, the new wireless broadband standard, can ease the financial burden of deploying and expanding a network. According to technology market research firm ABI Research, these cost advantages help both the smaller wireless Internet service providers (WISP) and the larger, regional and national players. For smaller WISPs, lower cost equipment reduces the breakeven subscriber point for a new tower. For those with grander plans, it says the cost efficiencies brought on by the new standard will allow a company to cover more ground at less cost.
While the business model for fixed broadband wireless operators is steadily improving, specific plans on service launches remains unclear. Operators, long known for keeping their plans under wraps, are not saying anything. But recent activity points to big things, says ABI.
A recent survey sent to nearly 400 WISPs worldwide showed some interesting trends. Over half of the respondents, with an average of just 765 subscribers, intend to deploy WiMAX equipment as soon as possible in order to lower overall equipment costs, both for customer premises equipment (CPE) and for base stations. The survey indicated that respondents are also not afraid to go after incumbents, says ABI. Over half mentioned that their initial service launches are in areas served by two or more competing technologies - for example, cable, DSL or T-1 access.
www.abiresearch.com
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version