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Metcalfe: WiMax Could Kill WiFi |
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Written by Kory Mohr
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Tuesday, 31 May 2005 |
Amended from Unstrung:
Bob Metcalfe has joined the chorus of big names talking up the
prospects of WiMax metropolitan area network technology. Speaking in an
exclusive Light Reading TV interview, the inventor of Ethernet says "it’s conceivable that WiMax will just kill WiFi."
"I’m not making that prediction, but it’s possible
if WiMax lives up to expectations," he continues. "These days [people]
are saying 'why do you want hotspots when you can have broadband
everywhere?' Of course, they’re not using WiMax but it’s a precursor to
WiMax that they’re using."
Metcalfe is a big proponent of WiMax, not least because of the
effect he believes the technology will have on "lethargic" service
providers.
"WiMax is coming and that’s very exciting because that’s going
to light a fire under [ILECs and cable companies]. No! All three -- the
mobile guys will be attacked, the wireline LECs will be attacked, and
the cable companies will be attacked by WiMax -- and I’m really looking
forward to that." |