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The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved a new wireless standard, dubbed 802.16a, for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs). The new specification operates in bands ranging from 2 GHz to 11 GHz. Similar to the 802.11b Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or WiFi specification, 802.16a provides for an Ethernet-like connection with ranges spanning all or large portions of a city or metropolitan area.
While it will be some time yet before hardware using the new specification becomes available, imagining the potential uses is already impressive. For example, Internet Service Providers could offer Internet access via a wireless connection rather than going through land-line cable or phone wires. Not only would that simplify setup, it would also allow for automatic wire-free support for laptops and handhelds equipped with the proper radios. It could also potentially be used for Voice-over-IP services, in competition with traditional digital cellular providers who use primarily voice networks with data overlays such as GPRS and 1xRTT.
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