THE ADOPTION of Wimax technology could help boost Ireland’s economy, reducing costs for struggling small businesses and entrepreneurs, technology firm Motorola said.

Head of Motorola’s 4G technology in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Andy McKinnon, said the next generation technology could lead to cheaper broadband and better services. “Broadband penetration and proliferation hugely assists GDP in every country,” he said. “There’s definitely a relationship between the two.”

McKinnon said the technology could help both businesses and consumers, reducing telecoms charges for consumers by removing line rental, and eliminating the need to have both mobile data and fixed line broadband connections.

Motorola has teamed up with telecoms provider Imagine to offer a mobile product for Wimax. The mobile WiMAX USB adaptor, the USBw 200, allows users to take their Wimax connection on the move.

“Motorola is obviously very behind 4G,” said Mr McKinnon. “This is a technology that’s been optimised and designed from the ground up for IP communication in a wireless world, so it’s far more efficient in that way.”

Wimax is capable of high-speed data access, with Imagine products offering speeds of up to 7MBits/sec.

“It’s a win-win scenario. It’s a more optimised way of delivering broadband that creates far more agility and flexibility for the consumer,” said McKinnon. “They get their connections where they want it. Nowadays, we’re all becoming far more nomadic in our lives. Technology devices that come out into the market like the iPad are supposed to enrich our lives, which they do, but they require broadband connectivity.”

The new device will be aimed at all markets, including SMEs. Imagine has recently signed a deal with US telecoms company Clearwire, which saw the US firm take a 7 per cent stake. In return, Imagine will gain access to Clearwire’s infrastructure in Ireland, including a network of masts.