The Farpoint Group's Craig Mathias reports on his experiences this week at CeBIT 2006, noting that the show has proven to him that the U.S. is finally catching up with the rest of the world in terms of wireless technology.

Ultrawideband (UWB), Mathias writes, is exclusive to the U.S. these days, and cellular performance in the U.S. is now on par with the rest of the world.

The hot topic at CeBIT this year was WiMAX. Mathias' key conclusions from the show are as follows:

1. Mobile WiMAX (based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard) will quickly replace the current WiMAX spec, which is based on the older 802.16-2004 standard and specifies fixed systems only.

2. Mobile WiMAX will have a tough time competing against advanced broadband data services on current cellular systems. High-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), which is available from Cingular Wireless LLC and other Global System for Mobile Communications devices around the world, is in theory capable of 14.4Mbit/sec. service -- well above what we expect for mobile WiMAX. But the WiMAX opportunity bears close attention, and it's really too early to reach any firm conclusions.