Two Cheers For WiMAX (RedOrbit)
Sprint/Nextel has announced that it will partner with Motorola and Samsung to create a mobile WiMAX network.
Earlier speculation of the cost for a Sprint/Nextel WiMAX service anticipated an overall lower fee, but analysts now wonder, "Could the cost be even lower?"
Sprint/Nextel has selected to implement a network aimed at providing mobile access to the WiMAX connection. A cheaper alternative to implement the WiMAX network is available however, through a series of fixed base stations. Since testing of the WiMAX infrastructure is still underway, and the first devices supporting WiMAX are not expected until 2007, it is still too soon to tell which option Sprint/Nextel will select.
Michael Finneran describes the factors that contributed to Sprint/Nextel choosing the WiMAX specification as well as the commercial rise of WiMAX and other BWA (broadband wireless access) technologies.