As many as 12 per cent of all broadband users could transfer to fixed WiMAX connections within five years, according to new research.

Studies carried out by Juniper Research found that WiMAX technology can be easily deployed to a number of underserved areas, including those in developing countries.

The firm predicts that East Asia will lead the trend, accounting for over one-fifth of the 47 million new subscribers in 2013, followed by North America and Western Europe.

Author of the report Howard Wilcox said: "WiMAX will be an attractive offer in areas where there are no wired networks, and in areas where the existing digital subscriber line (DSL) speed is suboptimal."

He added that the technology could also solve broadband access problems for users located at the fringes of DSL coverage.

Last month internet services provider Nildram announced it had released a range of broadband packages providing different performance options, including cheaper selections, for small to medium-sized enterprises with employee numbers of between ten and 250 people.


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