WiMax 'set to complement UK broadband package'

The spreading dominance of Wi-Fi broadband connections in the UK is unlikely to be threatened by new WiMax technology, it has been suggested.

Instead of becoming the new king of web connections, WiMax was predicted by the editor of thinkbroadband.com, Andrew Ferguson, to complement existing growth systems.

"[The] lack of built-in WiMax standard kit in laptops and other devices is probably holding things back," he said.

"Look at Wi-Fi, it has taken some years to become widely available and used - I suspect [WiMax] will co-exist rather than dominate."

Hopes are high that broadband over WiMax could become widely used in more remote regions, as the connections can travel many times further than Wi-Fi signals.

Web access is still available via WiMax up to three miles from the hub, which is far further than the 100 or so feet that Wi-Fi services can reach at their current level of development.