For years, the arrival of WiMAX, a new wireless broadband standard, has been highly anticipated. From its conceptual phase to the development of standards, equipment certification, and the launch of pilot projects, the journey of WiMAX has been closely followed. However, with its impending arrival, the question arises: will WiMAX still live up to its initial hype?
WiMAX, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a globally recognized standard with potential applications in various fields such as cellular backhaul, mobile internet, business broadband, and even as a potential replacement for WiFi. Unlike WiFi hotspots that offer limited coverage, WiMAX boasts significant power, range, and bandwidth, with coverage measured in miles.
However, the emergence of WiMAX does not necessarily spell the end for existing technologies like DSL, cable modems, WiFi access points, and cell phones. These technologies are firmly established, and additionally, new wired and wireless solutions are being developed, posing competition to the anticipated WiMAX wave.
Cellular broadband providers are aggressively upgrading tower sites to enhance upload and download speeds. As CDMA networks like Verizon, Sprint, and Alltel expand their EV-DO coverage, an upgrade to EV-DO Rev A is introduced.
EV-DO offers speeds comparable to DSL broadband, with download speeds reaching up to 2.4 Mbps, though actual speeds in congested urban areas average around 700 Kbps. Upload speeds reach up to 153 Kbps, with typical speeds closer to 50 Kbps. This bandwidth is enough for aircards, built-in notebook computer access, streaming video, and music downloads on mobile phones.
EV-DO Rev A further enhances the bandwidth, offering download speeds up to 3.1 Mbps, thereby improving real-world performance. The most significant enhancement is the upload speed, which increases to 1.8 Mbps, making applications like VoIP and video transmission feasible for mobile users.
Furthermore, a Rev B upgrade for EV-DO is in development, promising to increase downlink speeds by three times, reaching a burst rate of 9.3 Mbps. This improvement is achieved by employing DO Multi-carrier technology, which bonds three channels. By allocating more station bandwidth to EV-DO transmissions, peak rates of up to 14.7 Mbps can be attained.
Simultaneously, LTE, or Long Term Evolution, a competing technology is also under development. With download speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps and a latency of 20 msec, LTE has the potential to rival other wireless technologies, including WiMAX, when it is deployed to cellular base stations in the next few years.
WiMAX generated considerable excitement with its promise of 70 Mbps bandwidth over a 30-mile coverage radius. Its range and potential link speed set it apart. However, a network of cellular broadband stations could achieve similar results. WiMAX may find its most significant application in providing backhaul services for these competing cellular stations.
Presently, the deployment of WiMAX has been slow. The main obstacle is the substantial investment required to establish a nationwide network infrastructure. Sprint and Clearwire are exploring a collaboration, leveraging their existing bandwidth to provide nationwide coverage. The ongoing 700 MHz spectrum auctions might also free up suitable frequencies for WiMAX use.
Pre-WiMAX implementations are already facilitating wireless business connections in major cities. Covad, for instance, offers what they refer to as “T1-class wireless broadband” in 200 Californian cities, Las Vegas, and suburban Chicago, with bandwidth options ranging from 1.5 Mbps to 100 Mbps. Wireless bandwidth is especially beneficial for businesses lacking fiber optic service but needing to expand their WAN connections.
Businesses seeking optimal bandwidth solutions for their digital telephony and data transmission needs should explore the range of available options, including wireless, wireline, fiber optic, and satellite delivery.