A new survey from Pew Research Center has found that low-income groups in the U.S. are now the fastest adopters of the wireless Internet. The survey of some 2,200 U.S. adults found that 46 percent of households earning less than $30,000 a year are wireless Internet users--representing an 11 percentage point increase from 35 percent in April 2009. Article

Investors have been concerned about microwave backhaul provider DragonWave's ability to plug a big hole that will be left when Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR) completes its first phase of its WiMAX network rollout.

DragonWave derives about 85 percent of its revenue from Clearwire. DragonWave's stock has taken a beating as the company hasn't detailed any plans to replace the WiMAX operator. Since hitting a high of $14.55 in January, the vendor's stock has fallen more than 60 percent since then.

The question is whether DragonWave can grab any significant new customers in the near term or whether the vendor can cut costs enough to ease the pain. Analysts have conflicting opinions.

TD Newcrest analyst Chris Umiastowski expects Clearwire to keep building out beyond its initial phase, and he said the company has good traction in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In addition, DragonWave has agreements with large wireless OEMs, opening the company up to bigger operators, Umiastowski said.

"We believe that the company's win with Yota in Russia is likely driving its success in Eastern Europe," Umiastowski said in a note to clients.

Kris Thompson of NB Financial, who has an "underperform" rating on the stock, said DragonWave needs to work overtime to grow revenue until Clearwire finds more funds to reach its network buildout goal of 270 million POPs.

For more:
- see this Reuters article

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A new study from Visant Strategies indicates new specs for mobile WiMAX and global growth of fixed/portable WiMAX will be key factors in pushing the penetration of WiMAX and creating a significant equipment market through the next 10 years. The firm expects all WiMAX equipment revenues will reach more than $35 billion from 2010 to 2016 while mobile WiMAX subscribers will grow worldwide by nearly eight times in the same span.

"Most mobile carriers have committed to LTE for 4G, sometimes after HSPA plus, but WiMAX equipment makers will still enjoy a vigorous market" said Andy Fuertes of Visant Strategies. "Low cost PC initiatives, falling WiMAX costs and the global availability of the
3.5 GHz band for basic fixed broadband services presents a very large opportunity for WiMAX equipment vendors."

For more:
- see this release

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