US : 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 (http://www.in-stat.com). 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.

Recent In-Stat research, End-Users Prefer WiMAX! (#IN0703519WBB), covers the market for wireless broadband services. It includes results from and analysis of a February 2007 survey of primarily US consumers. The purpose of the survey was to see what attributes respondents look for when selecting a wireless broadband data provider, their interest in bundling wireless broadband with their existing home broadband service, and their preference for different wireless broadband services.