SPOTLIGHT: Do-it-yourself WiMAX

You knew it would come: WiMAX pioneer Alvarion last week unveiled inexpensive, self-installable indoor WiMAX CPE. "It's cheap and easy to install," said Carlton O'Neal, Alvarion's vice president of marketing. "We think this is a breakthrough. It enables you to go mainstream with WiMAX." The CPE, called the BreezeMAX Si, features simple plug-and-play installation and will lead to nomadic and portable services. O'Neal said the CPE is the size of "a one-slice bagel toaster" and will be priced below $500 when pricing is firmed. He expects the Si CPE will be sold in retail outlets. Report.