WiMax is a newer standard of wireless networking configured to supply high speed net access to the end user. A few people would address Wimax as wi-fi on drugs but this would be to general of a judgement. Wifi was and still will be utilized in local area network environments for the predictable time to come. WiMax was planned to supply (MAN) Metropolitan Area Access, to houses and the business sectors*.

WiMax base stations will have the power to cater roughly 60 businesses with T1 access and 100s of homes with digital subscriber line/Cable speed access…well on paper at least. Engineers are saying that WiMax has the potentiality of achieving thirty Miles but real world examination has established a 4-8 mile working radius.

WiMax (MAN) deployments are like a WiFi network. First the ISP would deliver their T3 or higher access. The ISP would then use line of sight aerials (Bridges) to link up to towers that would broadcast the non line of sight signal to (MAN) residential/business customers.

WiMax line of sight antennas function at a higher Frequency capable of up to 60mhz. Distribution antennas don’t have to be in the line of vision with their clients. Non – line of sight towers function on a reach similar to WiFi . WiMax can run adjacent to cellular telephone columns with no disturbance.

WiMax networks are similar to Wifi in deployment. The Wimax Base station/Tower will transmit a signal to a WiMax receiving system. Similar to a WiFi access point beaming a signal to a laptop computer. Hopefully laptops will be shipped with Wimax receivers in 2006 onwards.

QOS (Quality of Service) is an leading consequence with WiMax because of the quantity of people accessing a tower at one time. Many would believe that a tower could be easily clogged with a bunch of folks accessing it at one time. Assembled into the WiMax standard is an algorithm that when the tower/base station is approaching capacity then it mechanically will change the user to a different WiMax tower or cell. Unlike a Wifi clients who have to sort of battle to stay related with a given access point; WiMax will only have to perform this exchange at the MAC level the first time they access the network.

WiMax is configured for constructing a electronic network infrastructure when the environment or distance isn’t favorable to a cabled network. Also, WiMax is a more affordable and faster option than having to put down cable. Third world nations will greatly benefit from deploying WiMax networks. WiMax can cover just about all the same protocols Wifi can including VOIP. African countries are at present going to begin deploying WiMax networks instead of mobile phone networks. Disaster zones can also use WiMax generating them the power to broadcast crisis information promptly and inexpensively.

Armed forces are already using wireless technology to link up remote sites. Logistics will be simple with the ease of tracking with RF technologies. WiMax can also cover Webcams and streaming video recording which would give commanders eyes on target capability.

Just envisage if aeroplanes were able to drop-off preconfigured self deploying WiMax aerials in strategical areas giving military personnel real time battleground intel. Armed with wireless cameras, drones and a GPS one soldier would genuinely be an Army of One.

As WiMax is deployed in a lot more areas possibility and real world potentialities of WiMax will come to hand. The differences between WiMax and Wifi are easy. Think of a WiMax electronic network as an ISP with out cables, with the signal allowing your web access to your business/ family. Wifi will be used inside your local area network in the near future.