Gartner: Australian WiMAX failure not representative

Buzz Broadband's failed WiMAX test should not in any way be taken as a sign of problems with the standard, claims the research group Gartner. The firm's VP, Ian Keene, observes that tests have been proceeding well in a number of areas around the globe, including Asia, Europe, North America and even Africa. In fact, says Keene, "we are seeing those networks expanding as conformance-tested products become available."

"There certainly isn't any universal opinion that something is fundamentally wrong with WiMAX," he adds. "Any technology can produce poor performances if you don't get it right."

This view is echoed by John Polivka, a PR frontman for Sprint, who says that the Australian test was conducted under different conditions. "Buzz Broadband was working with a fixed WiMAX installation in the 3.5GHz spectrum," he argues, "which is in stark contrast with Sprint's use of mobile WiMAX technology in the 2.5GHz spectrum." Sprint is currently testing its Xohm WiMAX service in several major American cities, and has been moving ahead with plans for national release.

CIO Today notes that Intel, WiMAX's primary backer, is in fact rumored to be interested in boosting its investments, by providing extra cash to Sprint and Clearwire. The latter has been developing its own WiMAX network, which is expected to become interoperable with Sprint's.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: Intel, sprint, WiMAX, Clearwire