Information On WiMAX

WiMAX, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology that provides wireless data in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access. It is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, which is also called WirelessMAN. The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformance and interoperability of the standard.

WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks". WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3 - 10 miles (5 - 15 km) for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 100 - 300 feet (30 - 100m).

With WiMAX, WiFi-like data rates are easily supported, but the issue of interference is lessened. WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies, providing a regulated environment and viable economic model for wireless carriers.

Currently, Pakistan has the largest fully functional Wimax network in the world. Wateen Telecom installed the network (with an initial rollout in seventeen cities) throughout Pakistan using Motorola hardware.

WiMAX Defination :

• 802.16-2004 is often called 802.16d, since that was the working party that developed the standard. It is also frequently referred to as "fixed WiMAX" since it has no support for mobility.

• 802.16e-2005 is an amendment to 802.16-2004 and is often referred to in shortened form as 802.16e. It introduced support for mobility, amongst other things and is therefore also frequently called "mobile WiMAX".

WiMAX is a highly scalable, long-range system, covering many kilometers using licensed spectrum to deliver a point-to-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user. WiMAX can be used to provide a wireless alternative to cable and DSL for broadband access, and to provide high-speed data and telecommunications services. WiMAX can also be used to Connect many Wi-Fi hotspots with each other and also to other parts of the Internet.


When using WiMAX device with directional antennas, speeds of 10 Mbit/s at 10 km distance is possible, while for WiMAX devices with omni-directional antennas only 10 Mbit/s over 2 km is possible. There is no uniform global licensed spectrum for WiMAX, although three licensed spectrum profiles are being used generally - 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz

Many companies are closely examining WiMAX for "last mile" connectivity. The resulting competition may bring lower pricing for both home and business customers or bring broadband access to places where it has been economically unavailable.

WiMAX In INDIA

BSNL WiMAX

Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited (BSNL) is planning in a big way to spread WiMax access across India. BSNL released a tender for WiMax services in the India to provide services to 25,000 villages and 70 cities. The WIMax service has already been tested in one of the Kolkata centers. The GoI had set a target of 20 million WiMax subscribers by 2010.

BSNL’s role for Wi Max planned in 2008 was integrating a key educational component, by connecting 40,000 schools under broadband coverage. BSNL is planning to operate 50,000 Wi Max kiosks all over the country, especially in rural area. Hopefully this will make internet usage popular in rural India.

TATA WiMAX

Tata Elxsi WiMAX 802.16e mobility solutions and services

WiMAX delivers standards-based, high-speed voice, data and Internet connectivity in licensed spectrum for both fixed and mobile applications. Tata Elxsi Mobile WiMAX IEEE 802.16e based intellectual property (IP) and product design services offer customers the right architecture, design, integration, testing, customization and optimization services, meeting specific product development and deployment scenarios. More importantly, Tata Elxsi imparts the confidence needed to bring mobile WiMAX products to market.

At Tata Elxsi, we provide WiMAX 802.16e baseband software solutions including MAC layer solution and PHY layer solution on a variety of platforms for both base station solutions and CPE/mobile station solutions. Our offerings support a complete development framework for CPE/base station solutions. In addition, we provide WiMAX Forum-specified Wave 1 and Wave 2 features.

Tata Communications, formerly VSNL, will take its WiMax services to 115 towns in this fiscal from the present 60 and it will look at taking broadband-WiMax services to four to five cities, a top company official said.

Tata Communications, formerly VSNL, will take its WiMax services to 115 towns in this fiscal from the present 60 and it will look at taking broadband-WiMax services to four to five cities, a top company official said.

" The government has announced that it will auction spectrum. Once the spectrum is alloted, we plan to take the broadband-WiMax services to four-five cities," Tata Communications CEO and MD N Srinath told shareholders.

Presently, the company uses underground cable network to provide WiMax services. But it faces "quality problems" because of "last mile connectivity problems".

Using broadband would improve the quality of the WiMax service, he said.

The company would be investing USD two billion in the next three years as part of its capital expenditure, Srinath said.

Some hard data on rain attenuation on WiMax: Rain at a rate of 4mm/hr will attenuate WiMax throughput by 50% at a distance of 10km. In heavy rain (15mm/hr) the throughput drops to 0% after 6km. In really, really heavy rains you can forget about WiMax after 2km.