The WiMAX solution reflects the general trend in the communications industry toward unified packet-based voice and data networks. Fundamental benefits of this transition are reduced operation cost, improved network optimization, and better management of changes. The followings are some of the benefits of WiMAX.
Wireless. By using a WiMAX system, companies/residents no longer have to rip up buildings or streets or lay down expensive cables.
High bandwidth. WiMAX can provide shared data rates of up to 70 Mbps. This is enough bandwidth to support more than 60 businesses at once with T1-type connectivity. It can also support over a thousand homes at 1-Mbps DSL-level connectivity. Also, there will be a reduction in latency for all WiMAX communications.
Long range. The most significant benefit of WiMAX compared to existing wireless technologies is the range. WiMAX has a communication range of up to 40 km.
Multi-application. WiMAX uses the IP and is therefore capable of efficiently supporting all multimedia services from VoIP to high speed Internet and video transmission. It also supports a differentiated QoS enabling it to offer dynamic bandwidth allocation for different service types. WiMAX has the capacity to deliver services from households to small and medium enterprises, small office home office (SOHO), cybercafés, multimedia Tele-centers, schools and hospitals.
Flexible architecture. WiMAX supports several systems architectures, including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and ubiquitous coverage.
High security. The security of WiMAX is state of the art. WiMAX supports advanced encryption standard triple data encryption standard. WiMAX also has built-in VLAN support, which provides protection for data that is being transmitted by different users on the same BS. Both variants use privacy key management (PKM) for authentication between BS and SS station. WiMAX offers strong security measures to thwart a wide variety of security threats.
QoS. WiMAX can be dynamically optimized for a mix of traffic that is being carried.
Multilevel service. QoS is delivered generally based on the service-level agreement between the end user and the service provider.
Interoperability. WiMAX is based on international, vendor-neutral standard. This protects the early investment of an operator because it can select the equipments from different vendors.
Low cost and quick deployment. WiMAX requires little or no external plant construction compared with the deployment of wired solutions. BSs will cost under $20,000 but will still provide customers with T1-class connections.
Worldwide standardization. WiMAX is developed and supported by the WiMAX forum (more than 470 members). The WiMAX forum collaborates with different international standards organizations that are developing broadband wireless standards with the intent to provide interoperability among the standards. Some of the other broadband wireless standards include HiperMAN/HiperLAN (Europe) and WiBRO (South Korea). These standards are compatible with WiMAX at the physical layer. WiMAX will become a truly global technology-based standard for broadband and will guaranty interoperability, reliability, and evolving technology and will ensure equipment with very low cost.
