London, UNITED KINGDOM, June 30, 2009—Market research firm Infonetics Research released results from its latest service provider survey, Global WiMAX Service Strategy 2009–2011, published last week as part of its WiMAX Continuous Research Service (CRS). Highlights follow.

ANALYST NOTE

"Although WiMAX service strategies differ from operator to operator and from market to market, most operators are focused on the less capital-intensive fixed and nomadic WiMAX broadband services now to address underserved markets seeking ‘wireless DSL,’ and many have formalized plans to migrate to full mobility WiMAX over the next couple of years. VoIP, CPE and device subsidization, and an emphasis on pre-paid and ad-hoc pricing are also integral service components for many operators we interviewed,” said Richard Webb, Infonetics Research’s Directing Analyst for WiMAX, Microwave, and Mobile Devices.

WiMAX SERVICE PROVIDER SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 59% of respondents plan to offer VoIP over WiMAX services by 2011, indicating the strong potential of voice over WiMAX as an additional high-value revenue stream for operators
• An increasing number of GSM operators are entering the WiMAX market, seeking to leverage their trusted consumer brand by offering basic broadband services, and WiMAX offers the more cost-effective delivery option
• To move to full mobility WiMAX services, operators must continue to deploy network infrastructure to ensure coverage to support mobility and roaming, and wait for the mobile device ecosystem to become more diverse and affordable for consumers