The whole LTE verses WiMAX in an "epic-battle" thing is silly. It's over-hyped, illogical and most of the accusations are unfounded.
While it's less likely that the two formats will literally converge into one single format, it's not really a bad thing. They'll end up working together to cover different applications/uses. Furthermore, considering ever-increasing bandwidth needs, it's all the more important to have a lot of spectrum space available, and that's where the real differences will come in to play when LTE-Advanced and WiMAX 2/802.16m hold to an equal "4G" standard as set by the ITU.
WiMAX 2:
http://www.wimax.com/commentary/blo...max-2-networks-ready-in-2012,-says-intel-0309
LTE-Advanced:
http://www.dailywireless.org/2009/10/09/imt-advanced-submitted-to-itu/
But something to always keep in mind, and it's been noted by the WiMAX group numerous times the last couple years, is that the WiMAX infrastructure can rather easily (mostly a software issue) be converted to LTE at some point if the value arises.
A good perspective on the similarities and the still-open door to convergence can be found here:
http://www.telecomseurope.net/content/wimax-lte-convergence-one-year
Any way it goes though, I really doubt we'll see any LTE vs. WiMAX wars in mobile devices especially. By the time it's truly relevant on a mass level, if not almost immediately, devices will likely be capable of handling both formats without a hitch. Again, there's a lot more in common between WiMAX and LTE than some realize, and both parties know they need each other to have the spectrum to handle our hunger for bandwidth.
Also, it's interesting to remember that Comcast (Time Warner as well I believe) is in on the whole WiMAX/Clearwire deal as well, and that should give you an indication of how WiMAX and possibly even Sprint will play into the broader equation. Soon enough, we won't be paying for mobile data, home data, home phone, mobile phone, cable TV...we'll just be paying for data.
In one shape or another, LTE and WiMAX will coexist in the 4G world, and it's a good thing. They're really not so different so much as complimentary. It'll keep getting smoother as the latest standards emerge, all the more so as hardware manufacturers begin to utilize the latest technology that takes advantage of both formats. I'm excited to see how it all plays out.
