WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a new telecommunication/broadband technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access. WiMAX allows a user, for example, to browse the Internet on a laptop computer without physically connecting the laptop to a wall jack in the same way as Wi-Fi.

• WiMAX & Wi-Fi may seem similar (as well as sound similar), they are actually aimed at different applications.

• WiMAX offers a long range broadband which can cover many kilometres. This can deliver a connection from broadband providers to an end user.

• Wi-Fi offers a shorter range broadband of a couple of hundred metres. This allows an end user to access their own network.

Why? There are a few aspects of WiMAX that make it so important to the future of broadband technology in this country. Most importantly, the cost, WiMAX not only offers a far greater range at a far better bandwidth; it will also be available at around half the cost of existing wireless broadband services. Therefore, allowing affordability, this will expand the amount of broadband customers in the UK significantly. WiMAX will also allow broadband providers to keep up with demand for broadband on the go. WiMAX will also provide better security, reliability and high quality that will be able to support the ever increasing numbers of bandwidth heavy applications. Speeds of up to 10Mb/s at a wireless range of between 2 – 10 miles would be achieved, which is a significant difference to the Wi-Fi broadband available at the moment (for example at Wi-Fi spots).

4G (Fourth-Generation Communication System) is the follow up of 3G. Like 3G, it will include wide-area wireless voice telephony and broadband wireless data. Although, 3G was limited to the use of a mobile phone, 4G system will provide end-to-end IP solution where voice, data and streamed multimedia can be served to users on an “Anytime, Anywhere” basis at higher data rates. It will allow systems the capability of providing 100Mb/s and 1Gb/s, respectively, in outdoor and indoor environments. This also offers high security at affordable costs.

4G WiMAX will be available by early 2008 creating a true wireless broadband experience.

Internet has permeated through all walks of lives, and this has tremendously increased the need for better connectivity. Lately, businesses regardless of being offline or online, view internet and its connectivity as an indispensable part of their business process. However, remote areas and their businesses had to be satisfied with the available connectivity, owing to chiefly, higher cost of laying cables where returns would be minimal for the service providers. Growing hunger for internet usage has spurred technology providers into action to produce a slew of connectivity tools. Among them, two distinct technologies called WiMAX and HSPA have emerged to fight it to the hilt for the larger share of connectivity pie.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is the technology that allows user to navigate the internet wireless. It is a telecommunication technology that can carry data to long distances either by point to point links or full mobile access. The key feature of this technology is that it operates on the same Broadband Wireless Access Standard of IEEE 802.16, which was set up in 1999. WiMAX also has the ability to extend local Wi-Fi networks over larger expanse of coverage area by up to 50 kilometers and its backed by Intel, world’s largest semiconductor company.

Similarly, High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) too boasts of superior technology akin to that of WiMAX. In a nutshell, it is a collection of mobile telephony protocols that provide better performance over existing radio bandwidth. Equipped with state of the art 3.5G technology, it can touch amazing download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. HSPA should be proud to get the support from leading equipment vendors including Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Alcatel and Lucent. Its proven ability to perform extremely well in any condition and download speeds has helped the technology to be absorbed across several countries in a short span of time.

Unfortunately, WiMAX was not without its own problems, in Australia, first WiMAX operator had to shut down its operation due to poor reach to long distances, contrary to its claim. On the other hand, HSPA service was able to produce the desire result in over 50 countries and 150 networks. For example, in some places subscribers could already watch streaming High Definition movies at 1Mbps. HSPA has also got a cost advantage over the other, per month charges as of now is in the realm of $30, whereas one has to shell out $10 more to get the same service from WiMAX.

Since majority of the people spend time outside their workplaces, e-mobility has become an inevitable tool in communication and business. Whether the winner is WiMAX or HSPA, wider expanse of area under internet connectivity through wireless services will enhance people to do day to day business, being anywhere in the world. High speed internet access through wireless technology will propel growth in all areas including business, education and healthcare.

Global internet wireless connectivity will also give an advantage for an entrepreneur who is away from the main markets to get reasonable remuneration for one’s products or services. Real time e-mobility effects coupled with long distance internet coverage for one’s communication suggests, E-Commerce will be the biggest gainer and is likely to increase its share in the world of business.