Broadband Wireless Access Technology

1. WiMAX Broadband Wireless Access Technology By: Ian Carr, Clay Garrison, Chris Lemley, Al Suarez, and Amanda Williams Group #8

2. WiMax • Is short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. • Is based on the IEEE 802.16 wireless standard. • Was created, designed, and marketed by members of a nonprofit organization known as the WiMAX Forum.

3. The WiMAX Forum • The WiMAX Forum is made up of over 350 member companies, such as Nokia and Intel, who collaborate on the interoperability and testing of the technology. • The organization has allowed for highly accelerated standardization and production-to-market of the WiMAX technology itself.

4. WiMax was designed to: • Bring a standards-based approach to broadband wireless, enabling large equipment volumes and simplifying broadband deployment. • Provide long-range, cost-effective wireless capable of carrier (ground-based) speeds. • Serve as a “fill-in” technology where broadband markets currently exist, providing expanded reach and enhanced service.

5. WiMAX and the 802.16x Standard • A typical WiMAX base station provides enough bandwidth for several businesses and hundreds of homes with T1 (1.54MB/s) level service • The initial standard operates in the 10-66GHz range, and requires line of sight towers. • The newer Phase Two standard operates on the lower 2-11GHz range, and does not require line of sight. This signal is capable of covering up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 100Mbps.

6. Why WiMAX and not Wi-Fi? • WiMAX is typically perceived as an upgrade/overhaul to existing wireless standards, commonly referred to as Wi-Fi. • Wi-Fi operates on a fixed spectrum of microwaves, whereas WiMAX will operate on a narrower and more manageable spectrum. • This limits the range and capacity of Wi-Fi waves, while the manageable spectrum will allow WiMAX providers more dedicated frequencies and bandwidth

7. WiMAX vs. Wi-Fi contd. • Wi-Fi is delivered on an unlicensed spectrum, whereas WiMAX will be deployed across multiple licensed channels. • This will enable WiMAX providers to “turn up” the output power and provide higher bandwidth at longer ranges. • WiMAX simply covers more ground. Wi-Fi is typically limited to hundreds of feet, while WiMAX is capable of covering several miles.

8. WiMAX is being deployed in TWO PHASES

9. Phase One • Started at the end of 2005 and reached out to developing countries and parts of the U.S. that were unserviced or underserviced by existing broadband providers. • Centered around the deployment of fixed land antennas, or base stations. • Provided an immediate cost-effective solution for areas most in need of WiMAX implementation.

10. Phase Two • Slated to begin in late 2006, phase two will feature the introduction of consumer-end mobility products and devices. • These ultra low power devices will make it possible for mobile users to remain connected to high speed networks from longer ranges than ever before.

11. What WiMAX means to us: • WiMAX will change the world connects to the internet. With this kind of long-range high-speed coverage, worldwide remote connectivity is quickly becoming a reality. • All networkable mobile devices, from cell phones to PDAs, stand to gain from WiMAX. • WiMAX will provide potential office speed internet for users both living in or traveling through areas currently unreachable by existing services. • With WiMAX we can always be connected, virtually regardless of location, with the same quality of service that we have come to expect from our telecom providers “wired-in” at home.