Broadband networks 'set for increasing wireless innovation'

Wireless connections are set to continue their rapid rollout across the world, as the necessary infrastructure is being put into place, according to one analyst.

BBC technology editor Darren Waters reporting from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas said that there are new innovative devices soon to release which should aid the spread of Wi-Fi connections.

While personal and local area innovations are already plentiful, Mr Waters noted that the expansion of Wimax services is set to bring wireless broadband to a much wider audience.

"Wimax is receiving a big push from Intel at CES. It is a wireless protocol that can transmit data at high speeds over a distance of kilometres," he reported on the BBC News website.

"The company predicts that more than 150 million people will be connected over Wimax around the world by the end of 2008."

And so ambitious are the plans for the technology that Intel chief executive Paul Otellini told the BBC that "eventually we will blanket the globe in wireless broadband connectivity".

Clearly the ability to connect to the web anywhere on earth would benefit many devices and applications, but VoIP services would receive a major boost as their low cost internet calls could be used on the move with greater ease.