What is WiMAX ?

WiMAX is a communication technology for delivering wireless high-speed Internet service to large geographical areas. This is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and QoS (quality of service) of cellular networks. The 2005 WiMAX revision provided bit rates up to 40 Mbit/s with the 2011 update up to 1 Gbit/s for fixed stations. It is part of 4G wireless-communication technology and it far surpasses the 30-metre (100-foot) wireless range of a conventional Wi-Fi LAN, offering a metropolitan area network with a signal radius of about 50 km (30 miles). The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of the standard. The forum describes WiMAX as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL".

The primary advantages of the WiMAX standard are to enable the adoption of advanced radio features in a uniform fashion and reduce costs for all of the radios made by companies, who are part of the WiMAX Forum™. The more recent Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard is a similar term describing a parallel technology to WiMAX that is being developed by vendors and carriers as a counterpoint to WiMAX.

Advantages:

The bandwidth and range of WiMAX make it suitable for the following potential applications:

Providing portable mobile broadband connectivity across cities and countries through a variety of devices.

Providing a wireless alternative to cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) for "last mile" broadband access.

Providing data, telecommunications (VoIP) and IPTV services (triple play).

Providing a source of Internet connectivity as part of a business continuity plan.