Strategy shift at Alcatel-Lucent could be a blessing in disguise for Taiwan WiMAX makers

Alcatel-Lucent's recent announcement that it will be partnering, co-sourcing and participating in the consolidation of the industry to reduce spending for WiMAX CPE, among other products, might be a blessing in disguise for Taiwan-based network equipment makers, according to market sources in Taiwan.

Under Alcatel-Lucent's new strategy, Taiwan's network equipment makers might be able to land more orders for WiMAX CPE products and mobile WiMAX base stations from Alcatel-Lucent, citing that a cooperation deal between Nortel Networks and Alvarion has resulted in continuing growth in orders for WiMAX products at Alvarion, the sources noted.

In addition, Alcatel-Lucent's new strategy is to address its fundamental capabilities, not because of concerns over the prospects of certain WiMAX applications, the sources pointed out.