3G and WiMAX face-off - 17 May 2007

A global battle for market dominance is looming between 3G/HSDPA mobile data technology and the new WiMAX, says Tim Courtenay, MD for telecommunications services at ATIO.

3G provides high-peed mobile data over the mobile networks and supports voice, data and video content.

"The road map for the future will take 3G/HSDPA throughput up to 14,4mbps, which looks achievable by next year."

He says mobile operators worldwide are starting to look at longer-term evolution, that will take 3G netwroks to 4G, designed to increase speeds to 50mbps or 100mbps.

One of the major advantages of 3G is that the mobile operators have a massive existing customer base pf more than 2-billion subscribers globally who have the potential to upgrade to the latest mobile data services.

However, the initial release of the WiMAX wireless technology standard provides fixed communication to homes and business premises at potential speeds of up to 20mbps to 40mbps.

In addition, a mobile version of WiMAX will soon e released that will allow users to maintain connectivity as they roam between base stations.

Courtenay says the market is divided on the 3G verus WiMAX debate.