Wimax

WiMAX
WiMAX, an acronym for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology that provides fixed and fully mobile internet access. The current WiMAX revision provides up to 40 Mbps[1][2] with the IEEE 802.16m update expected offer up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speeds. (WiMAX is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, also called Broadband Wireless Access). 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[3] as "a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL".


Connecting to WiMAX

There are numerous devices on the market that provide connectivity to a WiMAX network. These are known as the "subscriber unit" (SU).

There is an increasing focus on portable units, this includes handsets (similar to cellular smartphones), PC peripherals (PC Cards or USB dongles), and embedded devices in laptops, which are now available for Wi-Fi services. In addition, there is much emphasis from operators on consumer electronics devices such as Gaming consoles, MP3 players and similar devices. It is notable that WiMAX is more similar to Wi-Fi than to 3G cellular technologies.

The WiMAX Forum website provides a list of certified devices. However, this is not a complete list of devices available as certified modules are embedded into laptops, MIDs (Mobile internet devices), and other private labeled devices.

WiMAX Gateways

WiMAX gateway devices are available as both indoor and outdoor versions from several manufacturers. Many of the WiMAX gateways that are offered by manufactures such as Zytel, Motorola, and GreenPacket are stand-alone self-install indoor units. Such devices typically sit near the customers window with the best WiMAX signal, and provide:

* A integrated Wi-Fi access point to provide the WiMAX Internet connectivity to multiple devices throughout the home or business.
* Ethernet ports should you wish to connect directly to your computer or DVR instead.
* One or two PSTN telephone jacks to connect your land-line phone and take advantage of VoIP.

Indoor gateways are convenient, but radio losses mean that the subscriber may need to be significantly closer to the WiMAX base station than with professionally-installed external units.

Outdoor units are roughly the size of a laptop PC, and their installation is comparable to the installation of a residential satellite dish. A higher-gain directional outdoor unit will generally result in greatly increased range and throughput but with the obvious loss of practical mobility of the unit.

WiMAX Dongles

There are a variety of USB dongles on the market which provide connectivity to a WiMAX network. Generally these devices are connected to a notebook or net book whilst on the go. Dongles typically have omnidirectional antennae which are of lower-gain compared to other devices, as such these devices are best used in areas of good coverage.

WiMAX Mobiles

HTC released the first WiMAX enabled mobile phone, the EVO 4G, March 23, 2010 at the CTIA conference in Las Vegas. According to Sprint, the device will be available Summer 2010 and will be capable of both EV-DO(3G) and WiMax (4G).[11]. A number of WiMAX Mobiles are expected to hit the market in 2010[12].