News

Strategy Analytics: Fixed Wireless Broadband Heads Home (19/11/2003)

20 Million Households Represent Target Market

A new study from Strategy Analytics, the global research and consulting company, detects renewed interest in fixed wireless as a residential broadband access technology, particularly in areas where cable and DSL are not readily available. Public funding, support from some commercial users, as well as promotion of the new WiMAX standard, are all helping to raise hopes that fixed wireless could finally support viable residential services. By analyzing country-level statistics from around the world, this report from the Strategy Analytics Broadband Devices Strategies service, estimates the global target market for such services at 15-20 million homes.

The report notes that previous attempts to establish Residential Fixed Wireless Access (RFWA) have ended in high-profile commercial disasters, such as Winstar and Teligent. In recent months however, major operators such as Sprint and France Telecom, as well as newcomers US Wireless Online and Irish Broadband, have launched trials or begun commercial rollouts.

"Advances in the underlying technology have relaxed the line-of-sight constraints that used to make residential installations an expensive and uncertain proposition," says Tom Elliott, Vice President of Consulting with Strategy Analytics. "Reduced equipment costs, improved performance, and an aggressive set of vendors and wireless ISPs are making fixed wireless a serious broadband contender in rural towns and urban fringes."

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