What is WiMAX?
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Introduction
What is WiMAX? Simply put WiMAX is, Worldwide Interoperability for
Microwave Access, a technology standard that enables high speed wireless
internet. In other words, WiMAX combines the high speed of a broadband
connection with the convenience of mobile internet connectivity. WiMAX
provides wireless broadband access up to a radius of 50 kilometers (30
miles) for fixed receivers and 5-15 kilometers (3-10 miles) for mobile
receivers.
How does WiMAX work?
WiMAX needs setting up of a tower to establish microwave connections
with the users. This operates in the same way as a cell phone tower. In
the case of WiMAX, the tower is connected to internet through a high
speed cable like a T3 line. The difference from broadband is that here
the bandwidth does not have to be divided using wires.
WiMAX is in a way an advanced version of WiFi, a similar technology.
Whereas WiFi allows a network within a radius of 30-100 meters (100-300
feet), WiMAX connectivity can be extended over a radius of up to 50
kilometers. This high speed data transfer over a much larger area is
made possible by lessening interference using the IEEE 802.16 Air
Interface Standard. Currently WiMAX operates on both licensed and
non-licensed frequencies.
Advantage and Applications.
As it is possible to use WiMAX over longer distances, this technology
may come in handy in creating city wide networks. It is also better
suited than WiFi for large area public places like airports, college and
university campuses and large office set ups. It also provides for
greater mobility to users. This way WiMAX may be a good option for
people on the move using gadgets like laptops, iPods and PDAs.
As WiMAX follows a point-to-multipoint architecture, it is an ideal
solution for delivering broadband to places where it would not be viable
to establish wired connections. Rural areas and high rises are examples
for this situation. Currently this last mile part of the connectivity
is the biggest stumbling block to broadband providers, in terms of cost
and manpower requirements. WiMAX can bring down the costs and
subsequently make internet connectivity cheaper to the end user.
Another advantage over some other wireless technologies is that WiMAX
does not need a direct line of sight between the source and the
receptor. It also has a comparatively high shared data rate at 70Mbps,
which is good enough to reach about a thousand homes.
WiMAX is also an excellent saver of time. As it does not need cables
to connect with the receptors, it is possible to establish connection to
an entire campus or even city in a matter of a few days.
WiMAX also allows for greater convergence of diverse applications
such as fixed and mobile telephony, apart from entertainment sectors
like television.
Challenges
That said, WiMAX need not come to eliminate wired connectivity
altogether. In areas where wired broadband is already established, DSL
still reigns supreme. Thus it is more likely that WiMAX will develop as a
complementary to wired connectivity.
Secondly, the real potential of WiMAX is in the possibility of
bringing diverse services such as telephony, mobile television and
broadband internet under its umbrella. This requires that players from
these different fields work together to provide single point service to
the end user. Consumer billing and mutual settlement systems have to be
extremely efficient to handle these requirements.
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