US Consumers Prefer WiMAX to Cellular Data or Wi-Fi
In a head-to-head comparison, respondents to a US consumer survey indicated a significant preference for WiMAX over cellular data and Wi-Fi services, reports In-Stat. This comes from a survey conducted earlier this year with over 1,200 respondents. The respondents were asked a series of questions by the high-tech market research firm regarding their interest in various wireless broadband services, with each service description based on what is currently or will soon be available per technology.
"While much of the WiMAX industry's focus has been on ultra mobile devices, which still remains a few years away, these findings show there are real opportunities for WiMAX based on what it can deliver today" says Daryl Schoolar, In-Stat analyst. "WiMAX's ability to support nomadic services with laptop cards and USB devices will become a reality this year. Combining that nomadic ability, with its fixed capabilities will give WiMAX service providers a way to differentiate their broadband services from what is currently available."
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
- Over 50% of respondents would change their current home broadband provider for one that bundles wireless with a home broadband service.
- Respondents' interest in cellular data decreased dramatically when presented with pricing.
- Top two service attributes used in selecting a wireless broadband provider, when not factoring in price, were availability and reliability.
Posted to the site on 17th April 2007
