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Wireless broadband in all its forms (fixed, portable, and mobile) gives operators a way to grow revenues as voice revenue growth slows, reports In-Stat. Based on survey data collected by the high-tech market research firm, WiMAX provides the right mix of features and pricing to appeal to consumers. Business users on the other hand will provide more of a challenge to WiMAX operators, primarily based on business users' need for ubiquitous coverage.

The research, “Waiting for WiMAX: US Consumers Want More from Wireless Broadband”(#IN0803969WBB), covers the US market for wireless broadband. It provides analysis of two surveys of US wireless users conducted in April 2008 covering their preferences regarding wireless broadband services.

“While early WiMAX network coverage will not be as large as 3G cellular, it will be adequate to appeal to consumers,” says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. “When respondents were presented with service examples and picked the one they most preferred, the one representing WiMAX was picked more than two-to-one over the one representing 3G cellular data. Service descriptions include information on coverage, network performance, pricing, and usage limitations.”

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

- Respondents are interested in a wireless broadband service that will allow them to connect multiple devices under a single service plan.
- Respondents want a service that can meet both their at home and away Internet needs.
- Fixed broadband operators are vulnerable to losing subscribers to WiMAX.
- Survey respondents reported increased usage of public wireless broadband between 2006 and 2007, with expectations for further increases in 2008.