Obstacles to WiMax adoption

You report that WiMax trials are underway and there are regulatory hurdles to overcome (Is WiMax on course for success?, 18 April), but I think you understate the barriers.
Transmissions at 2.4GHz are limited to 100mW, which means hundreds of feet not tens of miles. The 3.5GHz spectrum in the UK is licensed to PCCW and the 3.4GHz range to Pipex Communications, so while they may offer WiMax systems, they “own” that spectrum.
The 5.8GHz band A is for indoor transmissions only; band B is for nomadic outdoor use, which rules out fixed links. Band C is for fixed links but Ofcom requires that terminals are registered and meet its IR2007 spec, which has a 2-watt limit. That is quite high, but it will still be difficult to get 30 miles out of it, and since it's only a single band you lose the advantages of WiMax.
Intel is putting a lot effort into selling chips, but whether WiMax will actually meet expectations remains to be seen.
Steve Kennedy