Broadband - What is 4G WiMAX?

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.

If you are interested in taking advantage of current broadband internet technology then you should compare many broadband providers available in your area.

Adair Cameron is an experienced writer based in the UK

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