WiMAX takes lead role in 4G network rollouts

Fourth generation networks will be a reality for consumers in the Middle East by the second quarter of next year, according to industry experts.

Intel's WiMAX market development chief for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Gilles Karolkowski, says operators believe the technology will be their next big revenue opportunity.

He says that global economic conditions will not affect the rollout. "We are confident that the crisis is not really a problem in the GCC," he says.

Mazen Hamadallah, vice president of Alcatel Lucent's regional operations, says that Alcatel Lucent is seeing interest primarily from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran and Qatar.

"In some cases, we're running trials and getting operators acquainted with the technology. In others, we're bidding and making network agreements," he says.

"The consumer boom will depend on the availability of services and modems. We believe that in June 2009 availability will be there."

The UAE's regulator has issued WiMAX licences to Etisalat and du, but Hamadallah thinks that Saudi Arabia will be the first GCC country to release services to consumers.