This New Fangled Technology Called WiMax

Technology never ceases to impress. Each time you blink an eye or turn your head it seems like a new uber cool technological development is on the horizon. Remember when cell phones were the size of your head? Now they are ultra petite and can easily fit inside your skinny jeans pockets. Remember when you first logged into the internet via dial up, listening expectantly to the crackling phone lines? Even though these technologies are actually relatively new, it seems like they've been around forever, because they've become so entrenched into our every day lives. They've become taken for granted and now we expect even better, greater new fangled technology to appear each and every minute. So, the question is, just what new amazing technological feats are in store for us on the horizon?

The answer to that is simple, at least when we're talking about the field of wireless communications:
WiMax and 4G. These two new developments are working in tandem to usher in new age of flexibility, versatility and quality when it comes to wireless communications. Basically, these are new standards of communicating. WiMax transmission networks will improve how we work, play and live in this modern age where internet rules supreme.

But lest we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a step back and take a look at just how and what fourth generation wireless standards and WiMax deployment actually can do. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access is a new industry designated standard for broadband wireless access. Also known as IEEE 802.16, WiMax has been designed to be positioned as a vast metropolitan area network, providing broadband wireless access up to 30 miles for fixed stations and 3-10 miles for mobile stations. Compare that to today's standard WiFi (802.11) wireless local area network which works only within 100-300 feet of the central source. The difference is remarkable. The new wireless standard will work with 4G, the latest generation of wireless comms technology in order to provide better, faster, more reliable internet to people everywhere.

Basically, it's like WiFi, but on steroids. Data transfer rates will be improved substantially, which means that people can actually take their work on the road and not worry about uploading or downloading large files or heavy multimedia use. The connection will be on par with that of a wired connection, i.e. DSL or cable broadband.

The possibilities are thrilling. Internet users will be able to use voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) to substitute regular landline phones, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) to substitute cable TV, and much, much more. Mobile gaming and mobile media viewing will become so much easier. In fact, mobile WiMax could simply replace current cell phone operating standards like HSDPA, EvDo and EvDv.

This is the so called last mile in terms of broadband. It's certainly a game changer. It could be used to wire entire cities so that everyone can easily be connected without a hitch. The only requirements for this setup are signal towers and a wired high speed connection; the infrastructure is already being put in place