27.5 Mn WiMAX users by 2012

NEW DELHI: By 2012, India will see a massive growth in the number of WiMAX users. According to a study by the WiMAX Forum, there will be over 27.5 million WiMAX users in India by 2012. India had only 3.4 million broadband subscribers in January, 2008, whereas, the target was nine million by 2007 set by the broadband policy makers.

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According to the study, around 70 percent of the WiMAX subscribers will use mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband internet services by 2012.

WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a telecom technology that provides wireless data. The data ranges from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access. Low operator capex, innovative return on investment (ROI) models combined with the economies of scale could drive down the cost of the wide range of diverse WiMAX devices. This in turn will strengthen the subscriber base in India, says The Economic Times. "India is clearly making the commitment and taking steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enable operators to meet the needs of India's diverse and growing population," said WiMAX Forum president Ron Resnick.

According to Gartner study, India will remain a niche market for WiMAX until 2009. This research shows that India will have 6.9 million mobile and fixed WiMAX connections by the end of 2011. The study points out the failure of the government to effectively motivate operators to opt for country-wide mobile broadband. WiMAX has still not reached every corner of the country. The technology is limited to enterprise and high-end residential users in urban India. Hence, it needs proper planning to attract the mass of India to use this technology.