WIMAX STANDARD
WiMAX is about to be widely adopted across the world and will bring communication into previously uneconomical areas. WiMAX stands for ‘Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access’ and this was defined by the WiMAX Forum that formed in June 2001 to promote conformance and interoperability of the technology (IEEE 802.16), which is known officially as WirelessMAN.WiMAX can transmit wireless data over long distances, in a number of different ways, from point to point links to full mobile cellular type access. Data rates could be in excess of 10Mbps over a short range of 2km in line of sight but ideal conditions outside of cities could allow faster speeds.
It has been recognised that the technology may be able to serve as a high bandwidth ‘backhaul’ for internet or mobile phone traffic from remote areas back to an internet backbone.
Given the limited wired infrastructure in most developing countries, the costs to install a WiMAX station in conjunction with existing mobile towers or even as a solitary hub will be small in comparison to developing a wired solution.
Areas of low population density and flat terrain are particularly suited to WiMAX and its range. WiMAX is similar to Wi-Fi, but with a much wider range and higher speed. The mobile version also allows users to move between cells with almost no interruption in signal.