That said, he believes as VOIP becomes more common, "people won't recognize the difference" between a wired and wireless link.

"We're trying to change to a model where the value is in the connection and not the usage," he said. "A good quality network like ours has value."

The WiMax network of 11 base stations in the Sydney metropolitan region will be funded by internal cash reserves, according to the company.

A spokesperson for Unwired welcomed Access Providers' plans and said the entry of another wireless broadband provider into the Sydney market is a direct response to the increasing demand from businesses for a portable or mobile Internet service.

"WiMax will soon be the global standard and will fundamentally change the way people access the Internet; data, like voice, is moving towards mobility," the spokesperson said. "The latest WiMax standard - 802.16e will be ratified shortly and will deliver this mobility to Internet users."