BellSouth's WiMAX plans: cannibalization or competitive weapon?
Testing efforts are scheduled for various BellSouth labs in the coming months, with live testing likely in the fall.
BellSouth vice-president for development Michael Bowling throws a strike by noting that communications difficulties encountered after Hurricane Katrina is providing the impetus for this effort.
"There's a higher level of customer interest in these solutions based on the hurricanes," he says.
Still, I have to wonder about the future of BellSouth Wi-MAX testing and innovation once the Atlanta-based regional telco becomes part of AT&T. Will such an effort be seen as cannibalistic to high-margin, fee-laden, AT&T broadband Internet service, or as a high-stakes competitive weapon against Wi-Fi islands?
My sense is both. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Hey Roger Ramjet, our resident WiMAX "true believer," what do you think?