Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

A wireless metropolitan area network (MAN) technology to connect IEEE 802.11(Wi-Fi) hotspots to the Internet and provide a wireless extension to cable and DSL for last mile (last km) broadband access. IEEE 802.16 provides up to 50 km (31 miles) of linear service area range and allows users connectivity without a direct line of sight to a base station. The technology also provides shared data rates up to 70 Mbit/s., which is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support more than 60 businesses with T1-type connectivity and well over a thousand homes at 1Mbit/s DSL-level connectivity.

It is also anticipated that WiMax will allow interpenetration for broadband service provision of VoIP, video, and internet access - simultaneously. There is also interesting potential for interoperability of WiMax with cellular networks. WiMax antennas can "share" a cell tower without compromising the function of cellular arrays already in place. Some cellular companies are evaluating WiMax as a means of increasing bandwidth for a variety of data-intensive applications. In line with these possible applications is the technology's ability to serve as a "backhaul" for cellular and internet traffic from remote areas back to a physical data backbone.

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