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What is the Current Status of WiMAX?

Posted by Cliff on from the last-mile-broadcast-broadband dept.

PalletBoy asks: "I live in BFE (read 'remote') Pennsylvania where BroadBand is not available in any form save satellite, which is no good for price and latency reasons (curse my MMO addiction!). My big question is: what is the -actual- current status of WiMAX technology? Different sites have me believing different things and I can't find an exact answer to the question 'When will I be able to buy a WiMAX router and cards so I can remotely receive broadband?' When will WiMAX (802.16) be solidly standardized, out, and affordable? Or is it already there?"

6 of 239 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Background by lucabrasi999 · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Why did you just link to the same Wikipedia article that the submitterr linked to?

  2. It's not just a matter of cards... by jafo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    It's not just a matter of getting WiMax cards as the person asking the question seems to think. It's a matter of getting the cards and routers *AND* having a service provider cover your area. If you don't currently have a provider offering terresterial wireless or DSL/cable, WiMax isn't going to change that at all.

    You do have a few options though. Move, of course... Or, if there's demand in your area, start up an ISP or cooperative. If there isn't demand for at least 10 people, you now know why nobody is offering it in your area. ;-/

    Sean

  3. Nagging question about bandwidth by geneing · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I have a question which I haven't seen discussed when it comes to WiMAX. Is there enough radio frequency bandwidth to support more than a few dozen high-speed users per access point?

    As I understand, the promises about the speed of WiMax are based on top speed (i.e. 1 user). Multiple users will have to share the same radio frequency and their connection speed will be lower.

    I remember reading that 4G cell phone network will (with much lower connection speeds) will require on the order of 500MHz of radio spectrum. To put this number in prospective FCC actions slices of 10MHz for billions of $.

    I'm not an expert in radio communications, but I don't see how the numbers (promised connection bandwidth and available radio spectrum) would ever add up. Could someone explain?

  4. Given upcoming oil issues... by NaruVonWilkins · · Score: 2, Insightful

    and the availability of competing services in closer, have you considered moving into an area with better services?

  5. Re:Ask Google? by flithm · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You're right it does, but it's an interesting question, one that I wouldn't have thought about enough to google myself.

    Plus the thing about google is, all it does is find published articles, and most of it is marketing hype.

    When you ask slashdot, you're asking because you want to know the geekly opinion, which is often quite a bit different, easier, and less annoying, than spending hours wading through internet fluff.

  6. Not according to the Map by woodsrunner · · Score: 2, Insightful
    ...if I am reading the map correctly, the lighter orange area is broadband whereas the dark orange is where you'll get service if you are lucky. Read their disclaimer:

    This map shows approximately where rates and coverage apply based on our internal data. Wireless service is subject to network and transmission limitations, including cell site unavailability, particularly near boundaries and remote areas. Customer equipment, weather, topography, and other environmental considerations associated with radio technology also affect service and service may vary significantly within buildings. With "all-digital" devices, you can only make and receive calls when digital service is available. When digital service is not available, your device will not operate or be able to make 911 calls. Check the roam indicator on your phone to determine actual areas where service rates apply.


    If you look at the whole of PA, there are large areas without any service.

    Pennyslvania is a tough market for any wireless tech. Due to the hilly terrain, line of sight is limited. I'd make sure it works before investing.

    I have field agents who use my mobile application in PA and they say most places they hit do not even get crappy cell service. So we set them up with dial up and modems for their PDA's. Cellular modems, from our tests, are slow (1200 - 2400 bps) and dodgy when used over normal cellular networks.

    ... Although if you can see a broadband tower from your place, cellular broadband would be a nice way to go. And to be honest, I'd prefer it over my home connection of DSL and plan to switch when/if it ever becomes available. I am not holding my breathe.