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My last article explained about the latest technology for broadband which enabled communication using power lines. Since i don’t want to anger the Wireless Fan Boys, i decided to write about a Wireless Broadband technology called WiMAX. Most of us might have experienced Wireless Internet in the form of Wi-Fi. This technology has a limited coverage area, around 40 – 110 meters. WiMAX on the other hand is a wireless communication system which can support broadband distribution from 50 Kilometers(30 Miles) with fixed stations and 15 Kilometers(10 Miles) with mobile stations.
WiMAX is used pretty much the same way as we use other wireless communication systems. But comparatively, it has high resistance to interference. To provide WiMAX in India, you need to procure a license for the frequencies to be used, thus ensuring that wireless carriers don’t clash with their services. WiMAX uses a 2nd Gen. protocol which makes more efficient use of the bandwidth provided and allows data transfer over longer distances, with minimal interference cons.
It provides different ways of transmission modes like Point to Multipoint links and portable with full mobile internet access. This technology however has a maximum data speed of 4Mbps in India, with newer technologies emerging and promising an increase in this speed. Though we have to agree that wireless internet has always primarily been used for general purposes like checking e-mails and minimal data transfer. But WiMAX does enable the delivery of last-mile access thus being an alternative to cable and DSL broadband connections. Generally WiMAX is used to connect Wi-Fi hotspots to the internet, and providing portable connectivity. WiMAX is very useful in case of natural disasters like Earthquakes, floods and Tsunamis, where rest of the communication networks are destroyed beyond repair. The WiMAX technology is designed in such a way, that devices like Notebooks, Desktops, Mobile phones and Smartphones, Gaming devices, Cameras and other electronic devices can easily communicate with the world wide web.
The main differences between WiMAX and Wifi are:
WiMAX can operate over longer distances but at a loss of the maximum speed of data transfer. Using the latest technology it can reach speeds of 100 Mbps at close ranges and average 30 Mbps at further distances. The technologies which compete with WIMAX are the existing wireless systems like Traversal Mobile Telecommunications System, CDMA, 3G and 4G for GSM and EV-DO. The next standard of WIMAX, namely WIMAX m will offer 1 Gbps fixed speeds. But the main competitor in the near future will be the Long Term Evolution(LTE) of 3g, namely 4G which will offer speeds upto 360 Mbps.
Currently WiMAX is in the experimental stage in India with networks such as BSNL, Aircel, Reliance and VSNL. The future of this technology in India would highly depend on how the carriers would advertise and how the end consumers would accept it.
Ananth Acharya
Guest Blogger
www.ATechiesThoughts.com
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