Is WiMax´s Future Up in the Air?

When the IEEE 802.16 WiMax technology standard emerged from its working group in 2004, it was greeted with great anticipation as a key building block in future network Infrastructure. Service providers who had tried to deploy fixed wireless broadband access with proprietary technologies welcomed WiMax´s promise of off-the-shelf long-range wireless networking gear; public-policy experts were equally enthusiastic about 802.16´s prospects as a competitor to landline networks in developed regions and as an economically viable solution in regions in which landline broadband was difficult or Impossible to construct. However, a funny thing happened on the way to wireless nirvana. WiMax´s entry into the broadband market has been marked with confusion and conflict. Across the networking industry, a period of reappraisal has replaced the post-release euphoria.