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. WiMax can transfer about 70Mbit/sec. over a distance of 30 miles to thousands of users from a single base station.
Viewed as a cheaper alternative to digital subscriber lines and cable broadband access, the WiMax’s installation costs of wireless infrastructure are minimal when compared with the wired versions. However, WiMax is not available just yet. Intel is expected to start production of the WiMax chips in late 2004 for stationary broadband connectivity to businesses and homes. And, with service provider trials set to begin next year, Intel expects WiMax products to be commercially available in 2005.
InfoWorld January 23, 2004
Many of you have heard of WiFi, the technology that allows one to communicate without wires to gain access to a local network or the Internet. Well, there has been a radical breakthrough that is just now finalizing its standards as mentioned in the article above.
The key here is that it can transmit up to 30 miles. WiMax's greater range and higher bandwidth 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. This will virtually eliminate the need for wired Internet and will radically lower prices.
So why should you be as excited about this as I am? Because this is a radical revolution for the Internet. Many still do not have access to broadband (high speed) Internet. It was only offered a few months ago in the neighborhood that I live in because the cable lines that would support it were not yet run. For a service provider to provide broadband, it costs them about $400 in just getting the truck out there and doing the installation.
WiMax would eliminate that because with WiMax the ISP would be able to broadcast the broadband capabilities and eliminate the last mile of cable to the consumer's door. This should radically lower the cost of the service by creating far more competitive options.
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.
Testing the chips is said to begin next year and Intel expects WiMax products to be commercially available in 2005. Unfortunately, it may not be until 2006 that those chips will be available for notebooks. But who knows, it might be sooner. When that happens you will see a revolution in how we use the Internet. There are very few things I can guarantee, but this is one that I am confident of.
Until then for those of us who travel, we might want to consider the Best Western hotel chain. I highly commend them for their innovative approach. By September 1, 2004, they will offer FREE high-speed Internet in all 2,300 of its hotels in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
As many of you know I do a lot of traveling, and one of the biggest challenges I face is finding a decent Internet connection. It is pure pleasure when I stumble on to a high-speed connection in my travels. It makes the trip so much easier as my online presence is so significant I rapidly fall behind when I am restricted to dial-up access. So you might see me at Best Western after September.
Related Articles:
High-Speed Wireless Modems Top-Rated Mobile Phone With Unlimited Wireless Internet that Costs Nothing The New iPod Killers Hold Off on Purchasing Any LCD TV for Now
High-Speed Wireless Modems
Top-Rated Mobile Phone With Unlimited Wireless Internet that Costs Nothing
The New iPod Killers
Hold Off on Purchasing Any LCD TV for Now