While WiMAX technologies are scattered throughout the world, it is emerging markets that make up the bulk of deployments with an impressive 60 percent of WiMAX subscribers globally in 2007, according to a recent survey.

 

Pyramid Research, in its latest WiMAX in “Emerging Markets: Operator Lessons in Strategy and Tehcnology” noted that the high number is due to the relative lack of broadband offerings in these markets.

 

"Through 2012, emerging markets will account for most WiMAX subscribers, who will primarily use it for fixed or portable Internet access," said Özgür Aytar, senior Research manager for Pyramid Research’s Broadband & Media Practice and author of the report.

 

The study suggest these markets are positioned for greater WiMAX use, primarily as a DSL substitute, providing mainly fixed or portable Internet access services.

”The WiMAX operators that were examined in Pyramid's WiMAX in Emerging Markets

report have been adding new customers at a rate of 500-1,000 per month, with more than 70 percent of the current customer base coming in from the SME and SOHO segments,” the report said.

 

Because the initial deployments have been in underserved areas, operators are increasingly competing head-to-head with DSL networks. While in suburban and urban areas, operators claim that more than half of their customers previously subscribed to DSL or dial-up services, and they have seen unexpected demand in the residential market.

 

“The majority of the commercial networks are based on the 802.16d standard,” said Aytar, “but moving forward we expect 802.16e-based equipment to gain traction.”

 

Operators with 802.16d-based networks have not expressed a sense of urgency about migrating to mobile WiMAX, however.

 

“We expect global WiMAX subscribers to grow from just over 2.1m in 2007 to 41m in 2012, with emerging markets accounting for 57 percent of all customers in 2012,” said  Aytar.