Skip the navigation

WiMax promises breakthrough in broadband access

Intel expects the technology to be commercially available by 2005

By Sumner Lemon
October 15, 2003 12:00 PM ET

IDG News Service - A new wireless networking technology called WiMax is poised to reshape the way service providers offer broadband Internet access in the U.S. and other countries, holding out the promise that high-speed network services may take off in these markets, according to a senior Intel Corp. executive.
WiMax, also known as 802.16a, is a wireless networking standard that offers greater range and bandwidth than the Wi-Fi family of standards, which includes 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. Whereas Wi-Fi is intended to provide coverage over relatively small areas such as in offices or "hot spots," WiMax can transfer about 70Mbit/sec. over a distance of 30 miles to thousands of users from a single base station.
By comparison, the most commonly used flavor of Wi-Fi, 802.11b, can transfer data at speeds up to 11Mbit/sec. at a range of up to 1,000 feet in open areas.
The greater range and higher bandwidth of WiMax gives service providers the ability to offer broadband Internet access directly to homes without having to worry about the problems that can arise when laying down a physical connection over the so-called last mile, which connects homes with service providers' main networks, according to Anand Chandrasekher, vice president and general manager of Intel's Mobile Platforms Group.
"WiMax is a very effective replacement for the last mile for broadband," Chandrasekher said.
Besides making it easier to offer broadband services, WiMax can help service providers cut the costs associated with installing broadband connections. "For a service provider to provide broadband, it costs them about $400 in just getting the truck out there, doing the installation," Chandrasekher said.
On average, installing a single broadband connection requires about 20 minutes, Chandrasekher said. However, in the worst case, that time can stretch to as long as two hours, increasing the installation costs for the service provider and wiping out its profits in the process.
"WiMax would eliminate that, because with WiMax, you'd be able to broadcast the broadband capabilities, and in the home environment, you could have an access point," he said.
WiMax-based products aren't available yet. The standard was finalized in January, according to information released by Intel at the Intel Developer Forum in Taipei.
Intel wants to be one of the first companies to get WiMax-based products to market. The company has announced plans to start production of chips that can be used in WiMax equipment during the second half of next year. With service provider trials set to begin next year, Intel expects WiMax products to be commercially available in 2005.
WiMax could

Reprinted with permission from IDG.net. Story copyright 2012 International Data Group. All rights reserved.
What is Tech Briefcase?
TechBriefcase is a new, free service where IT Professionals can Search, Store and Share IT white papers and content like this. Learn more
Bookmark content
Speed up your research efforts with content across the web.
Search and Store
Find the white papers you need. Create folders for any topic.
View Anywhere
Open your briefcase on your iPhone, tablet or desktop. Share with colleagues.
Don't have an account yet?
Additional Resources
Security KnowledgeVault
WHITE PAPER
Security is not an option. This KnowledgeVault Series offers professional advice how to be proactive in the fight against cybercrimes and multi-layered security threats; how to adopt a holistic approach to protecting and managing data; and how to hire a qualified security assessor. Make security your Number 1 priority.

Read now.

Cut Communications Costs Once and for All
WHITE PAPER
New IP-based communications systems are being deployed by small and midsized businesses at a rapid rate. Learn how these organizations are enabling faster responsiveness, creating better customer experiences, speeding office or mobile interactions, and dramatically reducing existing communications costs.

Read now.

Mobile and Wireless White Papers
Mobile Middleware Strategies
Learn why a mobile development platform is critical to be able to support today's complex enterprise mobility strategies. Learn what to look for...
The Evolution of Enterprise Mobile App Development
Driven by explosive growth in smartphone and tablet sales, enterprise mobility has become an essential part of business. Organizations across industries are developing...
Native & HTML5 Mobile Apps: Not an either or, but a where and when
Learn how developers are using HTML5 and native development methods to build mobile apps. Get practical insights on how these tools are being...
Enabling Remote Employees with High Quality Video
In this paper, we analyze the delivery of live and on-demand mobile video content. It focuses on specific ways in which organizations can...
What to Look For in Solutions For Mobile Device Management
Managing an increasingly mobile workforce has become one of the most challenging - and important - responsibilities for IT departments. This paper examines...
All Mobile and Wireless White Papers
Mobile and Wireless Webcasts
The Office of Tomorrow with BlackBerry
Curious about the office of the future and how to prepare with BlackBerry solutions? This session discusses the office needs of tomorrow and...
The Changing Role of Tablets in the Enterprise
Do you understand all the capabilities and potential of the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet? BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet can help enterprises do business differently.

This webcast...
Security Certifications 101 - BlackBerry and all those acronyms what do they mean and why they matter?
FIPS, Common Criteria, CAPS, AISEP, NFC, NIST, Fraunhofer SIT, CESG, DSD - these are just some of the government and industry certifications which...
PlayBook Video about two Grade 6 classrooms that are using PlayBook tablets
RIM recently worked with Park Manor Public School in Elmira, ON to integrate BlackBerry PlayBook tablets in two Grade 6 classrooms. The project...
McCain Canada deployed BlackBerry PlayBook tablets with a custom application to their salesforce
McCain Foods Limited (McCain) has deployed BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablets in order to enhance mobility within their sales force- along with a customized application...
All Mobile and Wireless Webcasts
Can prepaid smartphones save you money?
Samsung Exhibit prepaid smartphone

Prepaid service has started to transform from a source of cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel phones into a viable outlet for compelling smartphones. Read more...

Newsletter Sign-Up

Receive the latest news test, reviews and trends on your favorite technology topics

Choose a newsletter
  1. View all newsletters | Privacy Policy
IT Jobs