xG Technology, the makers of the xMax wireless broadband technology, (previously discussed here) hope it will surpass the much ballyhooed Wimax by using less power, and by operating in lower-frequency spectrum. The company claims the technology is capable of sending 40Mbit/s of data over 15 miles, using less than 1 watt of power. Its low cost and low power consumption has the company pitching it as gear that will "allow anyone to be a wireless ISP."

The company claims the technology "whispers" on occupied frequencies but claims it doesn't cause interference, allowing dual use of spectrum. "xMax is trespassing radio frequencies, although trespassing is not the right word, because we're allowed to transmit a signal if it doesn't interfere with other, stronger signals," says inventor Joe Bobier.

Many of our users have been skeptical. The company had kept the technology under wraps until February, when it announced it had gained FCC approval. Even then, we've only seen half-concrete explanations for how the technology really works. This month finds Techworld reporting the company is planning a viral ad campaign, and will release a VoIP xMax handset before it releases the xMax base-stations.