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Can WiMAX Help Improve US Broadband Coverage?
A recent study by an economic research group ranks the U.S. No. 15 out of 30 countries in per-capita broadband subscriptions. These findings were also discussed as part of a recent Senate committee hearing on broadband and American competitiveness.
While the US broadband rate may not be as low as some of these polls indicate, it clearly is not where it should be. The two drivers are price and accessibility in rural markets. In urban environments, subscribers typically have only 2 choices (cable or DSL) often paying $30 - $40 per month. In rural setting they may have just 1 or no other cost competitive options (satellite can be prohibitively expense and only provides broadband speeds on the download).
WiMAX should help to alter that equation by providing a third pipe alternative in urban environments and a lower cost option in rural markets. Additionally, with mobile WiMAX, subscribers will be able to take their broadband with them wherever they go. Once Intel incorporates into the laptop and Sprint and Clearwire build out their national footprints, broadband penetration should increase at a faster rate.
Michael Wolleben
WiMax.com
