WiMax vs WiFi

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) is the newest to the date standard of wireless networking. It was created to provide high speed Internet access and wireless data over long distances. This technology enables delivery of last mile wireless broadband access replacing the traditional cable or DSL access.

Many consider WiMax next generation of WiFi which is not quite right. First of all because there are several technological differences between the two. Secondly, WiFi is widely used along with WiMax. And lastly, WiFi fits better for Local Area network (LAN) environments; while WiMax was designed to provide Metropolitan Area Access (MAN) to homes and businesses.

Theoretical researches promised great performance for WiMax -- the capability to cover 30 Miles. But later practical tests showed other results – 4-8 miles working range.

The WiMax (MAN) standard is very similar to WiFi networks. Some important similarities are:

• ISP has T3 or higher (T1) access. ISP uses line of sight antennas which are called Bridges to connect to towers. Bridges distribute the sight signal to (MAN) residential/business clients.
• WiMax non-line of sight towers operate on similar to WiFi range. While, WiMax line of sight antennas work at high frequencies (up to 66mhz), distribution antennas do not have to be in the line of sight with customers. This difference of frequency allow WiMax to work in the same area with cell phone towers with no interference.
• WiMax and WiFi networks are similar in deployment. Just like WiFi base station sends signals to a WiFi-enabled device (laptop, PDA, etc.); the WiMax tower does the same thing to a WiMax Receiver. Today you can find WiMax enabled devices along with WiFi enabled ones.
• WiMax can handle all the same protocols WiFi can, including VoIP.

How WiMax solves issues?

Overloaded towers. Many would think that towers can be overloaded during high times or in megalopolises with a great number users. But a high priority for WiMax is Quality of Service (QoS) while a great number of people access a tower at once. WiMax standard features a built-in algorithm that automatically transfer the user to another WiMax tower when the accessed one is reaching its capacity. This feature distinguishes WiMax from WiFi, and gives it additional credits.

Inappropriate distance and environment. To solve the problem of distance and environment WiMax uses the principles of network infrastructure. WiMax proves to be cheaper and quicker than wired networks.

Fields to benefit from WiMax:

• Third world countries fully benefit from deploying WiMax networks, by developing WiMax networks instead of cell phone networks
• WiMax can be also very useful in disaster areas offering the ability to spread information quickly and cheaply
• This technology is used in military purposes due to the ability of WiMax to support Webcams and streaming video. This would give commanders eyes on target capability. WiMax is also used to connect remote sites

WiMax has far more possibilities and can be efficiently used in almost any field. And if you are one of those to have ever wondered about the WiMAX technology viability in the future, then recent developments are the best answer you can get.