Wimax: Opportunity or Hype?

Abstract

The newest generation of connectivity, currently in research and testing phases, is Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), a new wireless standard for large coverage areas. This paper describes the purpose of WiMAX, its forms, the status of its standardization, and the impact it will have on wireless broadband capabilities. Although it is still too early to tell just how successful WiMAX will be, we conclude that it will play an important part in the future of Internet access. Once the technology hits wide-scale production it should create a low cost connectivity solution that will bee able to provide Internet access to locations where it currently is neither feasible nor affordable.

Keywords: WiMAX, WiFi, Wi-Fi, WiMAX Hype, 802.16e, 802.16f, WiBRO

JEL Classification: O00, O14, O33