With speeds beyond 54Mbps fairly difficult to achieve with current wireless networking technology, WiMax is an attractive alternative and appears to be on the verge of major deployment around the globe.
WiMax offers greater reach for signals and will allow for connectivity at far higher speeds than currently possible, making it an obvious successor to current WiFi technology that is prone to interference and requires expensive devices to cover wide areas.
While WiMax technology is in a `teething phase`, it is expected to offer a better solution than current wireless infrastructure because as a standards-based wireless technology, WiMax will provide greater throughput and further reach than WiFi offers.
It`s debatable as to how much of an improvement will be experienced initially, as this is still a growing technology.
Theoretically, WiMax will ultimately provide throughput speeds around 70Mbps and a transmission radius of up to 50km. Initially, however, the technology will provide around 2Mbps throughput and coverage of up to a radius of 8km.
The robustness of the signal and its reliance on standards is what really makes the technology superior. The hardware required for WiMax is also relatively cheap in comparison with other wireless technologies and manufacturers like Intel are driving adoption with promises to include WiMax chips on their motherboards.
WiMax should perhaps be seen more as a competitor of cellular technology such as 3G.
Andy Robb, technology specialist at Duxbury Networking
In terms of connectivity, the coverage areas for WiMax will enjoy full throughput even in the last mile and signal degradation is significantly less in WiMax, which is not disrupted as easily by weather and obstructions as current technologies are. This means it could replace technologies such as ADSL as an Internet connectivity solution.
While ADSL requires a wired connection to the network, WiMax requires only a receiver solution to be purchased by the end-user who will then be able to connect to the wireless network immediately.
This is different from the current offerings by providers such as Sentech and iBurst in that the signal will be less prone to interference, allow for better coverage and far higher connection speeds with less latency and packet loss.
That said, the 802.16 WiMax standard is not a competitor to that of the 802.11 standard used by WiFi. They are essentially complementary technologies, and will work together, not against each other.
WiMax is more intended for providing Internet connectivity to users and as a back-haul solution for Internet service and cellular providers. It is not intended for use in the creation of small home or office network environments. For example, wireless hotspots will never run WiMax because WiFi is better suited to their needs, but they may acquire their Internet connectivity to share with you via WiMax.
WiMax should perhaps be seen more as a competitor of cellular technology such as 3G.
While WiMax solutions will be available at the end of 2006, it may be a while before users see products in the space entering the market at large. There is a fair amount of work to be done in producing infrastructure and products that are standards-compliant.
Initially, I foresee WiMax will be used mainly by bandwidth providers in their backhaul infrastructure. Commercial connections will be made available to the public only at a later date.
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