Consumers want on-the-go e-mail, mobile TV and music

Jun 21, 2007 13:53 GMT  ·  By

Motorola is behind a recently conducted survey, which shows some of the anticipated uses for WiMAX mobile broadband. The most important uses are watching live online news, e-mail related activities (read, compose and send), downloading music and using mobile TV. WiMAX was described in the survey as being a long-range wireless broadband technology that brings Internet access to offices and homes in a safe manner and at high speeds, through laptops or other devices. But the most important thing about WiMAX is that it can be used also while walking or traveling, in your car or in a train, with an Internet connection speed comparable to the DSL or cable speeds.

According to Ed Zander, Motorola Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the survey's conclusions are as follows: 49 percent of the people questioned said they prefer to use WiMAX for e-mail related activities, 31 percent are interested in real-time online media and news, 28 percent would use WiMAX for mobile TV and another 28 percent declared they want to download and listen to music. Another thing clarified by the survey is what wireless service providers had expected: most Internet users believe that wireless broadband services should be accessible from absolutely anywhere.

"Consumers clearly want to eliminate broadband cables or wires to access high-speed Internet connectivity", says Fred Wright, senior vice president and general manager, Home & Networks Mobility, Motorola, Inc. Mr. Wright also noted that WiMAX popularization can bring considerable benefits for companies like Motorola that will produce and sell WiMAX-enabled devices.

The consumers that responded to the survey were also asked about the way they would use wireless broadband more often. 20 percent of them intend to use navigation services for real-time traffic view while driving, 17 percent think that mobile TV would entertain children while in the car, and 11 percent would check online for restaurant wait times or menus.

"More and more service providers worldwide are expressing interest in delivering long-range wireless broadband service in major cities, suburbs and rural areas, making wireless broadband as common as wireless phone service", Fred Wright said. "It's very exciting, and the innovation our technology will spark will be absolutely staggering."