While WiMAX is the only 4G technology currently available in the US, it is important to remember that a second competing 4G technology, LTE, will also be an option at some point. Sprint and Clearwire have a jump on the market with their WiMAX network, but both Verizon and AT&T are working on their own respective 4G LTE networks which will offer 4G users an alternative to choose from. Proponents of the two technologies hold a variety of opinions on which technology will be more successful, but many in the industry believe that BOTH can succeed and share the market - much like EVDO and HSPA have shared the 3G market. Information Week discussed the issue with the senior VP and general manager of Motorola's wireless networks unit, Bruce Brda, who has a unique perspective as Motorola is supplying much of the foundation products for both 4G technologies.
"Both WiMax and LTE can succeed," said Brda in an interview reported by Information Week. Interestingly, despite the fact that Verizon has promised to start rolling out their LTE network next year, Brda believes that WiMAX will maintain its "head start" for several years. LTE may eventually offer more robust networks than WiMAX, but WiMAX's head start will help it survive, as will the fact that WiMAX networks can be launched relatively cheaply and efficiently in areas that didn't have high-speed internet access before. As Brda pointed out, for many of those types of areas, once they have WiMAX access there will be no reason to make the switch to LTE once it becomes available.
