Other manufacturers hope that big government stimulus programs that include investments in broadband Internet technology, such as from the U.S. and China, will keep WiMax sales healthy. They also believe WiMax will make big waves in emerging markets, where wireless technology costs less than laying cables across thousands of miles of territory.

"The future of WiMax is clear. D-Link will continue to invest in this technology," said Anny Wei, president of D-Link.