According to a study from Visant Strategies, 802.16a - or WiMAX - now stands poised to repeat what has become the success story of 802.11 - or WiFi.
A more robust standard for high-speed broadband wireless delivery to laptops and desktops will augment the burgeoning WiFi market beginning in late 2004, says a new study from Visant Strategies. According to its author, 802.16 a is poised to in the very near future achieve the same kind of important price and performance points reached by WLAN technology in the late 1990's, when WLAN converted from being a niche technology to mass market due to the 802.11 or WiFi standard.
"Under the current conditions, 802.16a could emulate 802.11's rise several years from now," said study author Visant Strategies Senior Analyst Andy Fuertes. "Many chip and equipment vendors ignored the chance to get into the 802.11 market early and create market share due to market-size limitations created by high equipment costs, a much smaller potential audience and no need for all things Internet and Intranet yet. WiMAX offers these technology companies a fresh start."
802.16a is considered the next step beyond WiFi due to its optimization for broadband operation, fixed and later mobile, in the wide area network. It already includes numerous advances that are slated for introduction into the 802.11 standard, such as Quality of Service (QoS), enhanced security, higher data rates, and mesh and smart antenna technology allowing better utilization of the spectrum.
The study finds WiMAX and WiFi complementary as the two technologies address different segments of the market and are optimized for different tasks; local vs. metropolitan area networking. Last mile access will be the first application for 802.16a but mobility will follow via 802.16e.
WiMAX is considered a migration path to 4G, but more likely to be used by holders of wireless broadband spectrum rather than mobile carriers, according to the study. 802.16a is also expected to play a role in outdoor and private networks, the extension of hot spots, and backhaul applications that lack line-of-sight.
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