Group 5: WiMax

Industry-led, non-profit org. to certify and promote compatibility/interoperability of broadband wireless products based on standards of IEEE 802.16, ETSI HiperMAN and WiBro/Mobile WiMAXWorking to remove barriers to broadband wireless adoptionAddress specific elements:

Regulatory, certification, technical, marketing, service provider, networks and applications

WiMax stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave AccessThe name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, formed in June 2001

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"

WiMAX is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology A telecommunications technology that provides wireless transmission of data using a variety of transmission modes, from point-to-multipoint links to portable and fully mobile internet accessProvides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks Coverage and QOS (quality of service) of cellular networks.

Theoretical maximum speed of 75 Mbps per channelReal world application max out at 45 Mbps per channelDue to shared access, users can expect 5 Mbps download speedsThe current active 802.16 standards include:

802.16d (or 802.16-2004 - Fixed WiMAX) 802.16e (or 802.16-2005 Mobile WiMAX)However, the IEEE is also working on an extension of the 802.16e version called 802.16m, which will offer improved throughput and capability.

NLOS (non line of sight): low frequency signals from radio pass through impeding objects and not easily disrupted

LOS (line of sight): higher frequency signals that are stronger/stable and provides more bandwidth with less errors

WiMax Range 4-5 miles with NLOS capable frequenciesRanges up to 10 miles are very likely in LOS applications10+ miles possible, but not desirable for heavily loaded networks3,000 square miles from a WiMAX tower

WiMax has newer security measures than current WiFi standardsWEP, which WiFi uses has not been ported over to WiMax due to tighter security needs

WiFi itself has had security upgrades as well, with the WPA and WPA2 encryption

WiMax will have higher security standards once initialized

WiMax is able to provide service to an entire city.

Instead of paying for multiple WiFi spots, the city can simply pay for one WiMAX station.

WiMax can provide an alternative to cable and DSL.

Especially useful when cables are not available.WiMax will allow users portable access to the internet.

Signal degradation due to:Terrain, density/height of tree cover, bodies of water, large buildings, and climate.

The bit error rate increases as the user travels away from the base station tower.Bandwidth is shared by users

Affect access speedsIncreased users Increased traffic

WiMax is better suited as a MAN.Less equipment needed to setup large coverage

WiFi is best used as a LAN.Many repeater devicesneeded to extend range.

Advantages over WiFiGreater range Improved security

WiMax is Full-Duplex WiFi is Half-Duplex

WiMAX has the potential to replace a number of existing telecommunications infrastructures. Fixed Wireless and mobile variantsWiMax has potential to replace cellular networks

Provide service to areas without traditional internet service: rural and remote areasAT&T Alascom is offering WiMAX broadband technology in Alaska. Deployments have been launched in Anchorage & Juneau areas. Rapid Systems uses WiMAX in the Tampa Bay metro area on the 3.5 GHz band. Towerstream offers WiMAX-based internet service to businesses in 9 US cities, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Providence, San Francisco and Seattle

Clearwire – 4G ServiceServing markets in the United States, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Denmark (with Danske Telecom) and Mexico A consortium of Comcast, Time Warner, Intel, Google, and Bright House

Merged with Sprint’s Xohm broadband service to provide 4G service for Sprint

4G Higher data rates than previous generation 3G

3GHSPAUMTS

A 3G mobile technology which is also being developed into a 4G technology.

CDMA2000is a hybrid 2.5G / 3G technology that use CDMA

www.clearwire.comwww.intel.comwww.cesweb.orgwww.sprint.comwww.youtube.comwww.wimax.comhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimaxwww.wimaxforum.orgwww.connig.comwww.learn-networking.com