petr -

Suggested reading:
It's Already Crunch Time for WiMAX.

The reality is that the chip that Intel promises will make WiMAX a real hit won't appear until (scheduled) May 2008.

Before the chip is useful, laptop makers will have to produce new laptops to use it, and people who want it will have to buy new laptops.

Plug-in cards may be available fairly soon, but it's "iffy" whether people will give up existing "pretty good" services to switch to something new, even if it is a bit faster.

There are only two WiMAX service providers, and they've already divvied up the market. They have a fair number of subscribers already, but all use other systems now. ONE "trial setup" covering a 15 mile radius around Intel's Hillsboro, Ore. campus. A 175 square mile coverage around Portland OR is planned, with "future expansion," of course; but NO TIMETABLE has been published even for the tiny Portland start up area, or for any expansion elsewhere.

Coverage for about two thirds of the US is planned "in the near future," but the areas to be "WiMAXed" are areas already reasonably well covered by the two providers, with subscribers using other kinds of service.

Speed of 50 times broadband between your machine and your ISP won't be particularly useful, if the net continues to be bogged down serving TV and Movie downloads to the few gluttons with T1 (or better) already.

So don't hold your breath, unless you're one of the extremely lucky few who live in one of the areas selected for the first coverage - and can afford new computer(s) to use it.

John