Many thanks to Torsten for this one -- via Mobile Pipeline, an EE Times article notes that a recent panel at WCA's 12th Annual International Symposium and Expo discussed whether or not it's appropriate to view WiMAX as a 'disruptive' technology.

The article picks up on In-Stat's recent report examining the nascent WiMAX chipset market, which suggests that competing technologies like EV-DO, HSDPA, 802.11n and others present "significant threats."

According to the EE Times article, panelists disagreed on the disruptive nature of WiMax. Alvarion CEO Tzvika Friedman said, "I see WiMax as disruptive," while Airspan President Eric Stonestrom said WiMax and 3G are "more competitive than complementary," implying neither is particularly disruptive.

At WiMAX.com, however, Frank Ohrtman says the whole debate is ridiculous -- referring back to the origins of the term disruptive technology, defined as "cheaper, simpler, smaller and more convenient to use," Ohrtman says it's obvious: of course WiMAX is disruptive. In every way.