Existing business wisdom in many industries is that it is usually easier and far cheaper to defend a customer previously won from new competition entering a company’s market, than to attempt to persuade a customer already being well served by other broadband competitors to leave their carriers. Also, due to the incredibly flexible nature of broadband wireless technology, upgrades to new gear can be made affordably and very fast relative to other infrastructure broadband technologies. This tends to reinforce the view that the battle to convince customers is more important than waiting to have the most cost effective, technically innovative products to offer them. This is probably the strongest argument for launching with precursor gear.

It is worth noting that highly disruptive technologies can implode this argument. However, WiMAX is composed of mostly existing and proven technology repackaged in a more consistent and compelling standard. It seems likely that adding WiMAX to the mix, once available at scale, will only accelerate wireless carrier’s build-out rates as costs drop. It should also increase margin for those customers already being served.