"The hype is way outpacing the substance right now," said Jim Smith, a general partner at venture capital firm Mohr, Davidow Ventures. "Even when it becomes widely available, I don't expect it to be the solution carriers will use in their tier-one markets; I see it more likely to be used in second- and third-tier markets, and even there, it won't be big for another three to five years.". Even Wi-Fi, embedded in nearly every new computing gadget to provide short-range networking, has not yet established a service market with significant revenues. However, the opportunities are much higher in the wireless broadband market than they are in wireless networking, making WiMax something service providers and carriers can't dismiss as just another overhyped fad.

Use of broadband connections in the United States shot up 42 percent to 28.3 million connections in 2003, according to the Federal moshi vesta iphone xs max textile pattern case - macaron pink Communications Commission, WiMax could theoretically make it easier and less expensive for carriers to entice even more subscribers, "What we're talking about is radically affecting cost..but the question is: Will it spur the market?" Mathias said, "That's what we expect, but by how much?", WiMax rivalsThere are a number of other wireless data and broadband technologies being tested by companies looking for alternatives to wires, Power line broadband and next-generation cellular technologies such as EvDO are also being kicked around, Another standard that is considered very similar to 802.16 specifications is 802.20..

Supporters of the 802.20 envision megabit-per-second data transfers with ranges of several miles. Initial enthusiasm was behind 802.20, which was designed as a standard for mobile devices, but the shift of industry support to WiMax's 802.16 specifications have put the brakes on 802.20. In fact, some of its major proponents have joined the WiMax Forum, including Navini Networks. Chipmaker Intel's support for WiMax gave WiMax a significant boost over 802.20. Many observers recall that Intel's support for Wi-Fi propelled the growth of that technology, and they expect similar results for WiMax.

Intel gave moshi vesta iphone xs max textile pattern case - macaron pink the 5-year-old technology a boost when it became a member of the WiMax Forum in 2003, joining Alvarion, Airspan Networks, Nokia, Proxim, Redline and Aperto Networks, among others, "We envision (wireless) broadband connectivity everywhere, all the time," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMax Forum and a director of marketing at Intel, Intel is expected to have WiMax-ready chips available by the end of the year, "Through broadband, we feel we can sell more (central processing units)."..

Resnick said timing played a major role in Intel's decision to back 802.16 standards, as did direction. WiMax-compliant gear is expected by early next year, but 802.20-based products aren't expected until 2006. Resnick added that 802.20 was more focused on being a cellular competitor, while Intel was looking for more of a data technology. While 802.20 was designed for mobile devices, WiMax will include mobile features when 802.16e is completed, which is expected by early 2006. WiMax products will initially be for fixed broadband wireless services such as delivering broadband to the home, but WiMax's mobile specification, 802.16e, will allow portable WiMax devices to send and receive data over broadband wireless networks.