The possibilities of WiMAX, a 4G wireless digital communications standard, are exciting for home, mobile, and business broadband Internet users. And although WiMAX (also known as IEEE 802.16 technology) is not widely available yet - the product has only launched in Portland, Ore. and Baltimore, Md. - new developments are already underway for this next generation of wireless broadband connections.
This next-generation high-speed wireless technology will be able to be accessed by PCs, smartphones, gaming devices, cameras, handsets, camcorders, music players, and even more wireless-enabled devices.
WiMAX Speeds
The wireless industry is expecting a dramatic increase in the use of wireless networks - as much as 60 times more wireless traffic by 2013. WiMAX speeds may be as fast as 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps for downloads, a substantial increase in speed compared to an average of 700 Kbps on today's Wi-Fi networks, making WiMAX a better alternative for fast surfing and use of online applications.
Clearwire Announces WiMAX Access for Application Development
Clearwire Corporation is the company behind the deployment of WiMAX. Other WiMAX investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire currently provides mobile WiMAX-based service, branded "Clear," in Portland and Baltimore with more market rollouts expected.
In April 2009, Ben Wolff, Clearwire's co-chair announced that the company is offering free WiMAX access to application developers in the Silicon Valley to give impetus to the development of new WiMAX applications. By the fall of 2009, WiMAX will be available to more than 20 square miles in Silicon Valley which includes the brain trusts of the country's largest technology companies. Companies only need to register for Clearwire's developer program to participate.
Other WiMAX Advancements
Clearwire also made an announcement about "Clear Spot," a new portable Wi-Fi router which will connect Wi-Fi enabled smartphones and cameras to the 4G wireless network. The router, manufactured by CradlePoint, will connect up to eight devices including popular devices from Apple, Blackberry, T-Mobile, and Palm.
Clearwire has also launched the website www.clear.com designed as an entertainment portal featuring the most popular news, sports, entertainment, and local information on the Internet in addition to online games, a music store, photo services, search options, and more. The website itself it optimized for WiMAX 4G wireless technology.
