Joe Bobier, the inventor if xMax, stated that this new technology is a silent radio system that uses radio channels already filled up with noisy pager or TV signals.

“xMax is trespassing radio frequencies, although trespassing is not the right word, because we’re allowed to transmit a signal if it doesn’t interfere with other, stronger signals,” said Bobier.

xMax uses very low frequencies to transmit over long distances which is good news for broadband operators because the lower the frequency of a wave the greater the distance traveled by it.

Very few base stations are required because of the great distances that xMax can cover making this a viable technology for rural areas which currently third-generation mobile phone networks find too costly to cover due to the number of stations needed.

“We’re talking about a 400 to 500 per cent improvement in range,” Bobier said, noting that this was much better than the range offered by competing rural area broadband system Flash-OFDM.

Previously the dilemma with low frequency transmissions was that they invariably ended up producing weak signals and slow data rates.

xMax appears to have jumped this hurdle by operating at a lower frequency bandwidth that enables signals to be transmitted up to 22km, a distance that is significantly longer than WiMax can cover.

Special aerials that can pick up signals that are usually too weak to be received are required along with radio chips that should be $5-$6 when built in volume along with base stations that will be around $350 000.

When considering the range xMax can cover these prices are competitive, which is why Florida-based XG Technology has claimed ownership of this new technology and is planning to build the first xMax network in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

xMax holds the advantage over WiMax. Whilst WiMax promises high-speed broadband connections over long distances using applications that use cellular hotspots, it can really only operate in urban areas.

xMax can not only offer connectivity to rural and remote areas but he technology can cover a city the size of London with just 4 base stations.

xMax looks set to hold a significant advantage over WiMax as according to Bobier: “We offer long range as well as high speed.”

Only time will tell but one thing is certain the broadband market will be watching developments in this field with great interest.