A research firm this week estimated that there will be 20 million fixed WiMAX installations by 2009, which will be enough for the technology to be considered a success in the marketplace.

That adoption of WiMAX will be driven primarily by use of the technology as a form of fixed, rather than mobile, broadband, the Strategy Analytics study concluded. That will particularly be the case in developing nations where broadband infrastructures are not highly developed, according to the study.

The bottom line is that this level of adoption will be enough for the technology to succeed, Chip Taylor, directory of Strategy Analytics' RF & Wireless Component Service, said in a statement. He said, however, that doubts remain about the viability of mobile WiMAX.

"WiMAX for fixed wireless broadband services alone will generate a modest but healthy market for chips and equipment by 2009," Taylor said. "Major concerns still remain regarding battery life for mobile WiMAX, undefined mobile specifications, and probable competition with 3G and proposed 4G networks."

A number of wireless ISPs already are offering pre-WiMAX service and fully certified WiMAX equipment will start being available at the end of this year. The specification for mobile WiMAX, however, is not expected to be ratified for another two years.