Benefits of a Standard
For Equipment Vendors
- A standards-based, common platform fosters rapid innovation and the addition of new components and services.
- Vendors can concentrate on specialization (i.e., base stations or CPEs); they no longer need to create an entire end-to-end solution as in a proprietary model.
For Consumers
- Consumers can receive services in areas that were previously out of the broadband loop, such as in developing countries with little infrastructure, or in rural and hard-to-service areas of developed countries.
- Having more players in the market translates into more choices for receiving broadband access services.
- The quick “trickle down” effect of cost savings to consumers translates into lower monthly rates.
For Service Providers
- Having a common platform drives down costs, fosters healthy competition and encourages innovation.
- It also enables a relatively low initial capex investment and incremental expenditures that reflect growth.
- Commitments to a single vendor—a typical by-product of the proprietary technology model—are not required.
- Wireless systems significantly reduce operator investment risk.
For Component Makers
- Standardization creates a volume opportunity for chipset vendors and silicon suppliers.
