With the CEO out at Sprint (S), it looked like his dream for a nationwide WiMax network to blanket much of the US with high-speed wireless was dead. That might have killed WiMax as a widespread technology here leaving it and its champions to take their chances overseas.
But, in a odd turn of events the United Nation’s may have become the biggest single advocate of WiMax. The International Telecommunications Union portion of the UN endorsed that tech after a big battle between Intel (INTC), one of the largest supporters of WiMax, and Qualcomm (QCOM), which does not want to see the new wireless standard cut into its 3G franchise.
According to The Wall Street Journal "WiMAX has been most widely used in emerging markets, where laying down cable has often been prohibitively expensive and where fixed-line networks never had a chance to develop before mobile technologies emerged." To some extent the UN is supported the standard because it is an affordable way to bring broadband to the world’s poorer countries.
How odd that the advocates for the poor and technology that they can afford might help WiMax distribution in the US.
Qualcomm, which gets a royalty on all 3G-based devices, can add this to its list of setbacks.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Try a Free Trial to the 24/7 New Media Newsletter and get the scoop on companies from Google to AT&T to Disney. E-mailed to you 52 times a year.
Take Charge of Your Retirement In Just A Few Minutes (Sponsor)
Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance—and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor.
Here’s how it works:
- Answer a Few Simple Questions. Tell us a bit about your goals and preferences—it only takes a few minutes!
- Get Matched with Vetted Advisors Our smart tool matches you with up to three pre-screened, vetted advisors who serve your area and are held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Click here to begin
- Choose Your Fit Review their profiles, schedule an introductory call (or meet in person), and select the advisor who feel is right for you.
Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today!
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.
You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.