“The most important thing since the Internet itself” -Intel

WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)

Started in 2000, expected release in 2005

What is WiMAX?

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access

· WiMAX (IEEE 802.16) is a metropolitan area network technology whose goal is to one day provide last mile broadband wireless access to the general population. 

· The WiMAX Forum was created in 2000 and is composed of industry leaders such as Intel, Cisco and Nokia. 

· With the capability to connect to homes and businesses within a 30 mile radius, WiMAX has the potential to give millions of people access to the Internet cheaply and easily. 

· It was dubbed as “the most important thing since the Internet itself” by Intel.

Motivations

IEEE 802.16 is seeking to implement a single standard for fixed broadband wireless access and mobility with high scalability and a low cost of deployment.  To date, it is the most significant development in an attempt to make wireless access omnipresent. 

WiMAX has the potential to provide an alternative to 3G, and make wireless systems the key platform of the future.  One important aspect is the definition of a MAC layer which supports multiple physical layer specifications.  This allows equipment providers the ability to differentiate their offerings to customers, making the IEEE 802.16 standard that much more attractive. 

WiMAX also solves the “Last Mile” problem. Since WiMAX covers large areas and is relatively cheap to implement, service providers will be able to use WiMAX to reach destinations they could not reach before.

Created by Justin Burke and Ken Lopez