Mobile telephone systems are fully automatic wide-area high-capacity RF networks made up of a group of coverage sites called cells. As a subscriber passes from cell to cell, a series of handoffs ensures smooth call continuity.
Mobile telephone systems have evolved to offer a mix of voice and packet data services. These systems are composed of interlinked cells that have the capability to transfer connections from tower to tower. The radio channel bandwidth is relatively narrow compared to WiMAX systems and the modulation types are less efficient (i.e. more robust). Therefore, the maximum data rates of mobile telephone data systems are lower than that of WiMAX.
Figure 1 shows how WiMAX is positioned to fit with cellular data and Wi-Fi systems. WiMAX systems are designed to provide centrally managed highspeed data services over wide areas, whereas Wi-Fi systems are designed to provide self-managed wireless data services over relatively small geographic areas.
Finally, mobile telephone data services are designed to provide a mix of voice and medium speed data services to customers as they move throughout a mobile system.
