802.16: Medium distance wireless networking that could change the world? By bslade in Technology Sun Dec 12, 2004 at 03:11:35 PM EST Tags: Technology (all tags)
	The (sort of) new IEEE 802.16 Metropolitan Area Network standard (MAN) promises to break the cable modem/DSL monopoly on the "last mile" of Internet connectivity to peoples' homes. With ranges up to 30 miles and speeds up to 70 mbps it seems like a pancea. While I suspect the actual usable speeds and distances will be considerably less, my real question is where is it? This standard has been in the works for years.

Here's a summary of what 802.16 is from an old Intel 802.16 press release: The 802.16 standard, which the IEEE modified this [past] January [2003] in its 802.16a amendment covering the 2 GHz to 11 GHz frequencies, is a wireless metropolitan area network technology that will ... provide a wireless extension to cable and DSL for last mile broadband access. It provides up to 31 miles of linear service area range and allows users to get broadband connectivity without needing a direct line of sight to the base station. The wireless broadband technology also provides shared data rates up to 70 Mbps, which is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support more than 60 businesses with T1-type connectivity and hundreds of homes with DSL-type connectivity using a single sector of a base station. A typical base station has up to six sectors. And some discussion of the implications of 802.16 can be found in a non-online article from Technology Review titled "Why WiMax?" (11/04 Vol. 107, No. 9, P. 20; Roush, Wade) [Note, WiMax is a consumer friendly name for the IEEE 802.16 standard]: The forthcoming Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) metropolitan-area wireless communication standard is expected to put Wi-Fi in the shade. Wi-Fi can transmit signals across up to 100 meters indoors and 400 meters outdoors, but WiMax boasts a maximum transmission range of 50 kilometers at a peak data transfer rate of 70 Mbps. Furthermore, once industry consensus is reached on such details as WiMax data encryption, [regulated and unregulated] frequency allowances, and multiple-user frequency access, companies will be able to mass-produce WiMax-enabled chips and make WiMax receivers affordable to consumers; the end result could be the replacement of current ISPs with broadband Internet connectivity. WiMax promises to facilitate wireless communication for new small and mid-sized businesses, the construction of mobile-computing hot spots in areas that lack phone lines, and the expansion of broadband Internet access to impoverished regions. The instigator of the WiMax movement is Intel, which saw a need for Wi-Fi to develop into a carrier-like technology as well as use more, as-yet untapped frequencies. In addition to designing communications processors to exploit these frequencies and delivering the chips as samples to manufacturers, Intel is promoting the WiMax Forum as an industry organization for certifying WiMax-compliant equipment, and is making investments designed to demonstrate WiMax's profit potential through Intel Capital. The high cost of building a WiMax transmitter network could complicate the technology's rollout. In addition, WiMax equipment manufacturers must address the challenge of achieving the economies of scale necessary for enabling WiMax hardware in the consumer price range. A more recent and detailed discussion can be found at WiMax starting to make its move (nwfusion.com, June 04) My comments: Well, maybe finally, Intel's ventures into non-core technologies will pan out. It seems like the planning for this is taking forever, especially since it should be a boon to the tech industry. But remember, all government coordination is bad, private enterprise is always more efficient (that's sarcastic folks).

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Do you think the 802.16 wireless technology will change the world? Yes 25% No 29% Whatever 25% It's all a CIA/NSA/NRO/DIA plot! More aluminum foil for my head! 20% Votes: 44 Results | Other Polls

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Intel 802.16 press release WiMax starting to make its move Also by bslade