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Latest Developments in WiMAX Technology

Taking Wi-Fi to the Max: WiMAX

The technology that promises to bring broadband wireless high-speed connections to entire metropolitan areas is on the way. WiMAX, an acronym that stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, officially certifies products that pass tests for the IEEE 802.16 standards, which cover point-to-multipoint broadband wireless access. WiMAX is both faster and has a longer range than Wi-Fi but WiMAX does not necessarily conflict with Wi-Fi.

WiMAX is a lot like Wi-Fi, the short-range wireless technology that allows Web surfers to connect to the Internet at Starbucks and other hotspots. Unlike Wi-Fi's 150-foot range, WiMAX has a reach of one to 10 miles, offering a way to bring the Internet to entire communities without having to invest billions of dollars to install phone or cable networks. That presents new opportunities to deliver high-speed Internet access to small businesses, homes and even road warriors who remain out-of-reach of cable and DSL services.

WiMAX is highly standardized, which should reduce costs. However, since chipsets are custom-built for each broadband wireless access manufacturer, this adds time and cost to the process of bringing a product to market, and this won't be changed by WiMAX.

WiMAX's equivalent or competitor in Europe is HIPERMAN. WiMAX Forum, the consortium behind the standardization, is working on methods to make 802.16 and HIPERMAN interoperate seamlessly.

But don’t expect to set up WiMAX in your own home. WiMAX products will target network service providers, large businesses, and metropolitan areas. WiMAX has the potential to multiply the range of wireless coverage by a factor of millions. A WiMAX base station can provide high-speed Internet access in a radius of up to 50 km (31 miles), enough coverage for an entire city. As of 2004, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Providence and Seattle had begun installing preliminary networks that can be upgraded to full WiMAX once it’s been certified.

Currently, Intel, one of the biggest backers of the technology, has shipped its first WiMAX chips to equipment manufacturers. Full-scale deployment of WiMAX is expected to begin in 2007. The company is also conducting about 50 WiMAX tests around the country to see how equipment from different WiMAX suppliers works together and how WiMAX service reacts to trees, buildings and different weather conditions.

In the meantime, WiMAX proponents claim that the standardization of the technology will drive down costs and lure more companies to develop WiMAX products and services.