Scott Ticer, VP business development, VentureWire (moderator)
Reza Ahy, CEO, Aperto Networks
Graham Barnes, CEO, NextWeb
Dixon Doll, managing general partner, DCM-Doll Capital Management
Edward Rerisi, VP research, ABI Research
Questions: Is WiMAX the panacea? What are the myths?
Interesting -- panelists agree most wireless data providers are not going to underserved areas, but instead are first competing against established wireline providers. Reason: enterprises are the low-hanging fruit (more dollars spent, more users in smaller area). Graham notes -- startup businesses need to get money as fast as possible. Harder to do in remote areas or to consumers/small businesses. "I deliver big pipes to businesses," Barnes said. "I'm not going after the real estate agent working out of a car."
Ticer, great question: "Wireless broadband has been the technology of tomorrow for a lot of tomorrows. What's different now?"
Why now? Economies of scale, technology improvements are making it a cost reality. Ahy -- now possible to offer 5 Mbps pipe into business for $500 a month. Barnes -- can deploy immediately, not in months. Rerisi -- standards-based equipment allows service providers to better forecast costs, swap providers if necessary.
