WiMAX

Description:

WiMAX is an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMAX is a broadband wireless standard that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances. WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including "last mile" broadband connections, hotspots and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for business. WiMAX enjoys widespread support from both the computer and telecom industries worldwide, making this technology articularly costeffective.

WiMAX technology will revolutionize the way we communicate. It will provide total freedom to people who are highly mobile, allowing them to stay connected with voice, data and video services. WiMAX will allow people to go from their homes to their cars, and then travel to their offices or anywhere in the world, all seamlessly. WiMAX could replace cable and DSL services, providing universal Internet access just about anywhere you go. WiMAX will also be as painless as WiFi, i.e. turning your computer on will automatically connect you to the closest available WiMAX antenna.

WiMAX operates on the same general principles as WiFi, i.e. it sends data from one computer to another via radio signals. A computer or mobile device equipped with WiMAX will receive data from the WiMAX transmitting station.

WiMAX is developed with the following goals in mind:
- Wide coverage: 50km radius from base station
- Mobility
- QoS
- High Security
- High capacity: Up to 70Mbit/s
- Low costs
- Standardization
- Flexible Architecture / Interoperability

Enablers:

- Mobility
- The Increasing Use of Internet
- Increasing Mobility
- Need for Information On Demand
- Power of Information-anywhere, everywhere
- Wireless is better than wire

Inhibitors:

- Wi-Fi
- Cost of Setting up a Wi-Fi Network
- The Rapid Increase in WiFi Transmission Rates
- Voice over Wi-Fi (Vo-Wi-Fi) will be released

Experts:

- WiMAX Forum
- Intel

Timing:

- 2005: Major cities in the USA are powered with WiMAX
- 2005: Roll-out in Chile - 2005: The WiMAX systems began certification testing
- 2006: Roll-out in South-Korea, Japan and Colombia

Web Resources:

(1) WiMax Standardization Forum
(2) Wikipedia: WiMax
(3) Can WiMAX Address Your Applications?
(4) How Stuff Works: WiMAX