WiMAX as a metropolitan broadband wireless access solution

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.

Comparing Types

WiMAX proposes challenges to providers of DSL, as well as, cable-modem service as its design can accommodate varying ways to transmit data. One: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm" Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) enables individuals to use a broadband Internet connection to "phone" long-distance and internationally. (Grabianowski and Brain) Some experts foresee a close race for fixed WiMax broadband services to win over other broadband technologies. Others who study this issue contend, however, as WiMAX can provide the bandwidth, identical to fiber alternatives, including, DSL, at a fair, marketable expense, it can convinces competitors' customers to switch to their fixed wireless version of services. Even though controversies exist as to whether WiMAX can compete with cable, DSL and 3G, criteria to be considered includes that a normal "hot zone," or "cell" may include an area of 1-6 miles. WiMAX, on the brighter side,.".. features a more bandwidth-efficient radio technology that can support data rates up to 100 Mbps in the same 20-MHz channel that 802.11a and g wireless LANs use to deliver 54 Mbps. Most importantly, the 802.16 access protocol is designed for carrier services and can scale to hundreds of simultaneous users." (Finneran) Finneran contends that DSL services, as well as cable, which have been providing services longer than WiMAX, are currently available to approximately 80% of individuals in the United States. Their technology reportedly focuses on the end user, while WiMAX's marketing focus will at first target equipment providers and carriers. In time, however, because WiMAX will not have to run cables, its costs could prove less expensive than fees currently charged for high and low speed Internet subscriptions. WiMAX could win against competitors as it could also potentially provide high-speed services in rural and suburban areas now serviced by the dial-up modem handshake with traditionally slow connections and time-dawdling downloads; areas considered too costly to wire by telephone and cable companies. Mathias, and Phifer believe: "There's little doubt that this WiMAX application will replace proprietary fixed wireless broadband over the next decade."

Conclusion

Just as dates projected for WiMAX to be able to provide full services differ and as reports regarding specifications of services are frequently diverse, experts also regularly disagree regarding WiMAX's future. Johnson, however, appears to state what many foresee for WiMAX:

we are betting on its success and see the global market for WiMAX exceeding $1 billion in five years."

If in its endeavors, WiMAX continues to find viable needs and fills them, WiMAX may just do what it's expected to do; perhaps even more, with faster than average speeds, in infinite locations.