I think we agree. WiFi is a nice way to provide hotspots or to jumpstart broadband in an underserved area, but it is not a long term solution to the broadband problem. Whether WiMax lives up to its promises is still a longshot as well.
Licensed wireless spectrum provides much more consistent quality of service, and scales up better to serve more users. And if you are going to do things like wireless parking meters, you have to use licensed spectrum, in my opinion, to provide consistent service.
I don't see it as either/or. WiFi has a place, WiMax has a place, licensed spectrum has a place, and fiber has a role to play. From a technology perspective, wired services are farther along, as there is widespread recognition that fiber is where you want to go. In the wireless world, different players are promoting a lot of different and often confusing solutions. My rule of thumb is to only buy what you know is going to get used in the next 6-9 months. That's why I generally oppose "big" wireless projects that talk about wiring up whole cities....a lot of that infrastructure will be obsolete before the bandwidth gets used up.
Licensed vs. unlicensed wireless
I think we agree. WiFi is a nice way to provide hotspots or to jumpstart broadband in an underserved area, but it is not a long term solution to the broadband problem. Whether WiMax lives up to its promises is still a longshot as well.
Licensed wireless spectrum provides much more consistent quality of service, and scales up better to serve more users. And if you are going to do things like wireless parking meters, you have to use licensed spectrum, in my opinion, to provide consistent service.
I don't see it as either/or. WiFi has a place, WiMax has a place, licensed spectrum has a place, and fiber has a role to play. From a technology perspective, wired services are farther along, as there is widespread recognition that fiber is where you want to go. In the wireless world, different players are promoting a lot of different and often confusing solutions. My rule of thumb is to only buy what you know is going to get used in the next 6-9 months. That's why I generally oppose "big" wireless projects that talk about wiring up whole cities....a lot of that infrastructure will be obsolete before the bandwidth gets used up.