What Does The Nordic Brush Off Mean For WiMax?

Last month, we noted that early supporter Nokia had dropped out of the WiMax forum (though, oddly, many news sources only picked up on that story about a week ago). Yesterday there was some more buzz as Ericsson said they didn't have much interest in WiMax either. Unstrung now has a bit of analysis about what this Nordic brush off may mean for WiMax. The obvious response is that, of course, both of these companies will be cool to WiMax, as it has the potential to cut into their 3G equipment revenue. What's silly about that thinking, however, is that if it's going to cut into 3G revenue, it's going to happen with or without Nokia and Ericsson - and if someone needs to cannibalize your own business, it might as well be you. If anything, it may mean that WiMax as a mobile (rather than fixed) solution takes a little longer to get to market than expected. Still, if the demand is really there for WiMax as a mobile solution, it will come, with or without any Nordic help.

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