WIMAX

4/16/2005

Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access (WiMAX) is a marketing term for wireless equipment that conforms to the IEEE802.16d Standard. The stated objective is to make sure that 802.16 equipment is actually interoperable with 802.16 equipment from other vendors. (Exactly why a "standard" doesn't accomplish that is not addressed -- which does not necessarily prove that the standard is faulty or that WiMax certification is not desirable).

802.16 is a broadband wireless standard that is intended to provide broadband cellular wireless connections. Information on projected range and capacity seems to be different in every article, but the general drift is that it will probably deliver 75Mbps for short links and 15Mbps at a few kilometers. It may be usable with lower rates out to distances of 25km. It is expected to be usable in both licensed and unlicensed bands. The deployment is expected to be cellular -- eventually allowing near 100% coverage of urban areas with wireless broadband.

It is expected that outdoor point to point (fixed) connections using WiMax may be available during 2005. That will be followed by indoor fixed connections and finally by roaming access allowing mobile applications including users moving between access points.

http://web.archive.org/web/20070317224758/http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/downloads/Telephony_WiMAX.pdf http://web.archive.org/web/20120302232507/http://www.intel.com/technology/itj/index.htm

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