WiMAX technology and applications

WiMAX

Find a need and fill it," reportedly a quote by Ruth S. Peale, could be considered to capsulate part of WiMAX's contentions as the increased "need" for faster Internet in infinite locations continues. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, also known as the WiMAX Forum or recognized by the acronym, WiMAX, is reported to be "an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products," ("Accelerating...") WiMAX has also been cited as:.".. A credible solution to a number of problems that have plagued the fixed wireless industry since its inception - namely, the lack of an open standard and the absence of major silicon vendors and equipment suppliers." (Thelander, 4) A "portable wireless broadband service -- sort of a bigger, better Wi-Fi." (Johnson) "Wi-Fi on steroids." (Walton)

Technology

WiMAX specializes in point-to-multipoint broadband wireless access. ("WiMAX...") and corresponds to two types wireless broadband technology: the fixed wireless version, currently being deployed; the mobile version, in varying stages of development/deployment. (Courtney) Grabianowski and Brain purport that that WiMAX, currently "coming into being right now," embodies:

The high speed of broadband service

Wireless rather than wired access,... less expensive than cable or DSL... easier to extend to suburban and rural areas

Broad coverage like the cell phone network instead of small WiFi hotspots."

Network Scale

Grabianowski and Brain)

According to Grabianowski and Brain, PAN, a personal area network, enables devices to "communicate" through short spaces or distances; for example,

Bluetooth. Although a LAN or local area network (LAN) permits components to share information over longer distances, its scope is limited to a small central arena; such as a company's location; a home; coffee shop. Numerous LANs connect their networks wirelessly thought WiFis. WiMAX, considered the "the wireless solution for the next step up... The metropolitan area network (MAN)," can facilitate the connections of cities. The promise of always being connected could contribute to WiMAX future success. Eliot Weinman, conference chair of WiMAX World Conference & Expo contends that approximately 400 companies currently support the WiMAX technology "... from improved communication for police, fire and other rescue vehicles to improved entertainment and information for mobile devices." (Walton) Walton reports Charles Golvin, principal analyst with Forrester Research Inc., to perceive that although "WiMAX will significantly globally impact vendors, telecom operators, and everyday consumers with their facilitation of accessible, high-speed wireless services, this will not likely occur until 2010, specifically where broadband connection are already accessible." Some developers of WiMAX, nevertheless contend opportunities to set up wireless broadband for complete communities will be seized before this predicted time. Regarding actual current performance of WiMAX, Thelander reports misconceptions are regularly reported and that little has been done to correct them:.".. WiMAX was originally billed as a wireless technology that can deliver 70 Mbps and extend coverage to 50 kilometers, or roughly 30 miles. Most press reports also assumed that 70 Mbps is achievable everywhere, including at the cell edge." In support of Thelander's contention, numerous other reports contend extended coverage more likely to be10 miles, with increases anticipated WiMAX's future.

History

Fixed wireless application began back in time with the microwave radio, and has been universally utilized "since the 1940s as a wireless alternative to (wired) private line services."

Mathias, and Phifer) "http: Although this example of yester-year's communicative process was considerably slower as walkie-talkies normally work at 49 MHz and can perhaps transmit 1,000 bits per second, the example serves its purpose.

Prior steps in the course of history, along with problems wireless technology has presented, have also served their purposes. Currently, wireless technology has evolved to the point of near eradication of many, common past problems, which included static and security cracks.

Since its formation in April, 2001, WiMAX Forum's "mission" or purpose has been reported to be "to promote conformance and interoperability of the standard IEEE 802.16. The Forum describes WiMAX as 'a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL.'" ("WiFi...") In 2003, WiMAX proponents, alongside, equipment suppliers and component providers, began to envisage that operators of broadband wireless access systems would adopt and begin to utilize IEEE 802.16 compliant equipment. (Courtney)

Today, WiMAX, frequently referred to as "Wi-Fi on steroids," is sometimes construed to be a combination of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, while providing increased coverage in more geographic areas. (Walton) "Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) and Ultra-Wide Bandwidth (UWB), new data transmission protocols, make online connections so much cheaper, faster and easier to use that it's possible to simultaneously cut costs and improve employee productivity by converting offices to wireless connectivity." (Johnston)

Comparing Types