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Wireless Broadband Networks
Status
of Technology Adoption (Mid 2000)
Wireless
broadband has been adopted more outside North America (USA and Canada)
because there does not exist a very reliable telephony and networking
infrastructure there. In South America and Europe, where competing wireline
facilities are not available, take a long lead time or monthly lease charges
for these services are high, businesses
and ISPs have found wireless broadband to be an attractive option.
However in North America where competing wireline alternatives are well
established, it is still in early stages of adoption with many customers
piloting the technology for the first time now (mid 2000).
Another reason for slow adoption was delay in FCC licensing the
spectrum. It would appear that countries like Venezuela, Brazil, and
other countries have leapfrogged USA.
As
shown, there is a strong product introduction activity by US vendor community
– one indicator of the growing demand - strong abroad but growing
domestically.
Advisory Note: Wireless
broadband is not a universal solution. In the short run, both alternatives
can be utilized. Users should evaluate offerings from both camps and make
individual decisions that suit their specific needs. In fact, the same
organization may have a hybrid solution - wireless broadband in one region
and conventional wireline solution in another location.
However, the network
service providers and ISPs MUST gear up to offer wireless broadband service
fast and quick - now.
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