Business models
In one corner we have WiMAX which is marketed as wireless broadband and is expected to be priced as broadband. i.e. flat rate fees for near unlimited usage, and being wireless, it invites the use of mobile VoIP. Think of all your existing mobile phone usage on your fixed fee broadband bill?
In the other corner, we have LTE, which is just newer and better mobile phone technology and as such, expects to use the existing mobile phone pricing approaches. i.e. pay per use. Think of paying for all your existing broadband usage through your mobil phone bill?
If you were Vodaphone, or any other existing mobile phone company, which business model do you think would appeal to your shareholders? Not your customers, your shareholders.
If significant start-ups chose to hit the market with WiMAX, they have the chance to dislodge the encumbent players, potentially makeing them obsolete. This debate is no longer about technology, it is about how the end user is expected to pay for the merge between broadband and wireless technologies. Interesting times ahead.