10th May , 2004

As WISPs expand their broadband wireless offerings using today's proprietary equipment, they're keeping an eye on standards developments and plan to deploy WiMAX-certified gear when it becomes available, a new survey conducted by ABI Research has found.

Wireless Internet Service Providers view WiMAX-standardized equipment as a way to realize stronger economic benefits, lower customer acquisition costs, and broaden their menu of equipment suppliers, according to the survey's findings. Such benefits are key, especially as the majority of WISPs operate in markets rife with other broadband solutions-namely DSL and cable. One surprising conclusion of the survey was that over half of all WISPs deployed services in markets with two or more competing broadband access technologies.

Still, WISPs aren't blindly rushing into deploying WiMAX and don't see it as a must-have in the short term, finds ABI Research. Although standardized equipment should be commercially available in 2005, the majority of the WISPs polled expect 2006 to be the year when WiMAX will have a tangible effect on business.

The survey, which analyzed WISP views on WiMAX, was conducted by ABI Research through a questionnaire sent to 400 service providers. The insight collected from the WISP poll was reported by ABI Research's media arm, WirelessIQ.INFO.