Australian wireless broadband company Unwired is experiencing slower-than-expected development of new technology, causing a 12-month setback in the company's business plan.

Unwired was planning to begin using the technology this year, but due to the glitch it will be unable to upgrade its networks to the global mobile WiMax standared before late in 2009.

“It's slowed us down from where we set out from in 2004 and 2005 – we are virtually a year behind,” Unwired's chief executive, David Spence, is quoted as saying by The Australian.

Unwired hopes moving to WiMax will cause a rapid business expansion. However, the delay also slowed the company's expansion outside Sydney and Melbourne, and Unwired is not making any promises it will build networks in other major cities next year.