Mobile Broadband
Essay Preview: Mobile Broadband
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This whitepapers is a deep dive analysis into wireless broadband technologies related to mobile devices.
It is interesting that we chose both broadband technologies, instead of one. If we compare the two radio uses [WiFi, WiMax] with a telephone equivalent in the ideal world, we would say that WiMAX is like mobile phone, it provides mobile Internet connection within a radius of up to 50km of an antenna. On the other hand, WiFi is like a cordless telephone, covering the distance between the antennae and a device, such as a laptop within a home, possibly not more than a room away from the antennae.
And now, there are indications that both of technologies could eventually merge. The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) – which represents primarily major carriers operating WiFi hotspots – and the WiMax Spectrum Owners Alliance (WiSOA) has indicated that they are collaborating “to advance global roaming for WiMax and inter-standard roaming between WiMax and WiFi”.
There is growth in WiFi hotspots and generally user awareness about WiFi in handheld devices is increasing. In US, iPhone is considered to be one large factor. Service providers and Operators are also adopting to this development and are working now to create opportunities for themselves.
There are opportunities with [2.5GHz] WiMax operators aspiring for full mobility and with existing [2G or 3G] mobile license holders to adopt WiMax as their preferred 3G technology during 2009 and beyond.
We could expect a rapid adoption of WiMax as a mainstream technology because difference WiMax is offering vs. existing legacy networks is that existing 3G networks offered higher speeds only while WiMax is promising both, data speeds and substantially lower costs.