Millions of DSL broadband subscribers to switch to Wimax

Up to 12% of the world's DSL broadband subscribers will transfer to fixed Wimax connections by 2013, according to Juniper Research.

The annual fixed Wimax global market size will exceed 13 million subscribers by 2013, with the Far East leading the switchover, said Juniper.

The Juniper study suggested that Wimax is well suited to rapid deployment in many under-served areas, not only in developing areas, but also in developed countries.

The report's author, Howard Wilcox, said, "Wimax will be an attractive offer in areas where there are no wired networks, and in areas where the existing DSL speed is sub-optimal."

Wilcox said, "Wimax will solve the broadband access problem for users located at the fringes of DSL coverage. This is in fact the case in a number of developed nations, such as the UK, the US, Ireland and those in Scandinavia, where Wimax network operators are deploying networks to address this market need.

"Additionally, in developing countries such as India, network operators are aiming to provide basic connectivity," he said.

Mobile Wimax usage will develop after initial demand for fixed services is addressed, said Juniper.