Sunday, October 14, 2007

WiMax


WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access. It is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, which is also called WirelessMAN. WiMAX allows a user, for example, to browse the Internet on a laptop computer without physically connecting the laptop to a router, hub or switch via an Ethernet cable. The name WiMAX was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformance and interoperability of the standard. 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."

Fixed WiMAX

This is a phrase frequently used to refer to systems built using 802.16-2004 ('802.16d') as the air interface technology.


Mobile WiMAX

A phrase frequently used to refer to systems built using 802.16e-2005 as the air interface technology. "Mobile WiMAX" implementations are therefore frequently used to deliver pure fixed services.

Uses

The bandwidth and reach of WiMAX make it suitable for the following potential applications:

  • Connecting Wi-Fi hotspots with each other and to other parts of the Internet.
  • Providing a wireless alternative to cable and DSL for last mile (last km) broadband access.
  • Providing high-speed data and telecommunications services.
  • Providing a diverse source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan. That is, if a business has a fixed and a wireless Internet connection, especially from unrelated providers, they are unlikely to be affected by the same service outage.
  • Providing nomadic connectivity.



No comments: