Wi-Fi has emerged
as a successful technology in the last several years,
the short range of 150 feet and its low bandwidth has
limited its widespread usage, as compared to wired Internet
connections. The new IEEE standard, 802.16, now known
popularly as WiMAX, not only promises higher data transfer
rates (75 Mbps, compared to 2Mbps for WiFi) but most impressively
(for end-users), a WiMAX connection can be established
at distances of about 30 miles, although practical applications
will begin in the three to five mile range.
It's
becoming clear that WiMAX is quickly emerging as the future
of broadband connectivity with 'across-the-board' applications
for end-users. The technology appears to be affordable,
and the ability alone to bring high-speed Internet to
areas not currently wired for high-speed is huge. For
those already with high-speed, businesses and individuals
alike, WiMAX will offer a low cost broadband wireless
roaming solution. And with a 10-mile base-station radius
potential, they actually mean 'roaming'.
