NextPhase Wireless receives FCC approval for nationwide Wimax license

NextPhase Wireless, a regional fixed wireless access provider wants to go national with its Wimax based offerings. On Jan 25, the FCC granted a license to the company for national deployment.

The company designs, deploys and operates WiMAX ready wireless networks along with advanced wireless technology solutions to both businesses and municipalities. Its ISP services encompass most of the states in the U.S besides offering broadband coverage in California and Nevada.

Commenting on the license approval Robert Ford, President and CEO of NextPhase Wireless, said in a press release, “In late 2007, theFCC ( News - Alert) acknowledged the challenges faced in deploying WiMAX services in the US, and opened up the 3.65 - 3.7 GHz band for Wireless Broadband Services in an attempt to encourage multiple entrants and stimulate the expansion of broadband service to rural and under-served areas.” (from TMCnet)

This could be a trend for Wimax evolution in the US. The smaller entrants have been targeting business customers who have taken a financial beating at the hands of the Telcos for years simply because in many locations there was no lower cost alternative. It’s low hanging fruit for a willing competitor, with fast payback using a Wimax based infrastructure. It could be that the medium bandwidth customer the AT&T and Verizons have counted on for high margin business will be be departing en mass soon.