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WiMax Formed To Promote 802.16 Standard

Posted by timothy on from the is-standard-the-right-word dept.

The Original Yama writes "Intel, Nokia, Proxim, and a bunch of other companies have launched WiMax, a non-profit group founded to certify and promote the IEEE 802.16 wireless networking standard. What's interesting about this standard is that it allows "up to 31 miles of linear service area range and allows users connectivity without a direct line of sight to a base station," all at a shared speed of 70Mbps. This simultaneously blows away 3G mobile and 802.11 technologies."

7 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Cellular by idontneedanickname · · Score: 5, Interesting
    They claim that WiMax-powered hot spots could cheaply offer wireless broadband access to citywide areas, bringing Wi-Fi closer to cellular network levels of ubiquity.

    With Nokia in there, does that mean their phones will somehow be able to use these networks to make calls?

  2. I could see Apple leading the charge with this... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Imagine the next generation of AirPort:

    Apple builds 802.16 into their future laptops and iPods, and partners with one of the nationwide infrastructure providers of 802.16. Then they offer "get-online-with-your-Mac-anywhere" service, and iPods can receive internet radio, wherever they are. That would be pretty sweet.

  3. Forget 31 miles by xeos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Sounds great, but 31 miles? How about 50 feet though wood and concrete? Line of sight is nice, but for most interesting home networking, there's just no way.

  4. Not a competitor to 802.11 or 3G by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 5, Informative

    This simultaneously blows away 3G mobile and 802.11 technologies.

    802.16 is designed for fixed outdoor operation and the antennas are much too big to fit in a PCMCIA card, so it won't replace 802.11.

    802.16 clients can't move around, so it can't replace 3G.

  5. This competes more with free space optics by bdhein · · Score: 5, Informative

    From the article, this technology is meant to link 802.11 hotspots, not as a replacement to 802.11.

    Free space optics is another interesting field that will give you upwards of 1Gb/s over 2km. More info on free space optics.

    All of these technologies are emerging to try to link the last mile to the high speed backbone as the cost of fiber is prohibitive (~$325/m) and the majority of the US doesn't live on top of a fiber backbone.

  6. More info on IEEE 802.16 wireless standard... by NOT-2-QUICK · · Score: 5, Informative

    For those whom are not aware of this technology, I gladly provide the following linkage:

    -- Article @ Network World Fusion

    -- Article @ Comms Design

    -- Published Standards & Drafts

    Enjoy! :-)

    --
    Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -- Benjamin Franklin
  7. A bit on this technology by stj · · Score: 5, Informative
    The technology itself is new and barely IEEE approved. In fact there are three versions of the standard to date (keywords made up):

    regular - for 10-55GHz frequencies and that one actually gives even up to 134Mbps. Now, because it uses range-dependent modulation techniques, you'll not have 70Mbps @ 30 miles. At 30 miles you might have about 20Mbps

    somewhat limited - for 2-11GHz which is unlikely to be implemented because it runs into almost all possible licensed frequency bands

    unlicensed - for 5 GHz unlicensed band - exactly the same as 802.11b
    Now, in any case, this is a fixed wireless network - that is stations are not mobile. So, it's NOT a competition for any mobile standards. All of that is very questionable at the moment because it will require quite a large licensed band and unlike UWB, it will transmit at measureable powers. I don't think Nokia would do anything to kill UMTS and 3G.
    There are some ISPs using it: installation cost in one I know is around $700 and monthly cost is $40 for wireless T1.

    --
    iThink iHate iMod