xMAX: Startup launches with promise of cheaper wireless VoIP

There was some discussion in the forums about xMax technology last year... now they have announced that commercial products will be available this year: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39259791,00.htm

Their website (http://www.xgtechnology.com/default.asp) has some interesting stuff... and their demo is impressive: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/wireless/0,39020348,39235645,00.htm
"A company called XG Technology LLC is developing xMax, a wireless technology that offers the promise of high-speeds over long distances [18 miles in the demo] using very low power.
xMax uses licensed and unlicensed spectrum, and XG claims it can be deployed at a fraction of the cost of mobile WiMax and 3G. "

Wireless VOIP to replace cell phones?! In a country with such progressive government leadership such as ours, I am sure this will happen very soon indeed. Very, very soon, even.

ignacio said:

Wireless VOIP to replace cell phones?! In a country with such progressive government leadership such as ours, I am sure this will happen very soon indeed. Very, very soon, even.

Click to expand...

Progressive government? Where? Surely you are not refering to our DoC, are you? Great links!

If this is true then we are in for some fun sometime in the future. I wonder what local companies are doing? Would be great if the local laws made it easier for local startups to market test locally similar equipment made here in SA. Now we have to flog our stuff overseas because the market here is bunched in with the cocain dealers and just as illegal if government doesn't lisence you...

xMax for SA

xMax is a potentially (note potentially) v.exciting technology... I've been doing a spot of research into it myself and and it looks like xG Technologies (which developed and owns the xMax patents) is looking for developing countries (http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/30/xg-will-ship-first-xmax-voip-handsets-before-end-of-year/) to act as a test bed for their new technology. The question is now how do we convince them to pls use South Africa?

The only problem with xMax is that it sounds almost 2 good 2 be true. I'm not a huge techie but the implications of xMax's descriptions are that any reasonably funded startup could create a great WISP using xMax technology because it can work in unlicensed lower frequencies (therefore no buying of expensive licenses needed). It apparently can also serve many more users per base station than WiMax. So overall a POTENTIALLY easier entry, cheaper and more effective alternative to WiMax. Any tech/expert's comments with regard to this would be appreciated.

Also for any1 interested here's a great doc on the implications of WiMax wrt to competition & regulation, check it out.. http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/32/7/36218739.pdf.