WiMax set to revolutionise developing world

Although WiMax will supplement communication structures in the developed world, the fixed wide area wireless networking technology is poised to "truly revolutionise" basic technology systems throughout the developing world, industry experts predicted today.

Analyst firm West Technology Research Solutions said that Africa, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe are heading for a fixed WiMax boom. By 2010 shipments in less developed areas will be twice those in the developed world.

Kirsten West, principal analyst at West Technology, expects WiMax to be the "most significant tool" in kick-starting nascent economies by enabling the rapid and relatively inexpensive deployment of broadband.

"Chipset sales in 2010 are forecast at $275m in less developed areas and $154m in developed countries," she said.

"Finished products containing those chipsets will of course provide significantly greater gross revenues.

"But the real importance in these numbers is that in developed countries WiMax will be an 'add on' to existing structures for the foreseeable future, while in the rest of the world WiMax will essentially be the 'first mover' of real technology development."