WiMax

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) describes a new technology for regional mobile phone networks. WiMax is in fact defined by the IEEE 802.16 standard. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a globally active professional association which among other things is also responsible for the standardisation of technology, hardware and software.

The primary use of WiMax is for data transmission. However, WiMax is not yet widely in use and therefore not significant from a commercial point of view. This standard is more or less in the test phase and efforts are being made to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of WiMax for suppliers and customers. These advantages and disadvantages are being examined in pilot projects in Germany and other countries and are currently being discussed by experts. Therefore, apart from the above-mentioned projects, it will be some time before a wider section of the population will be able to use WiMax.

A point which makes WiMax particularly interesting and which has already been tested is its excellent coverage and possibilities for data transmission. In comparison to conventional systems, these components are almost unbeatable and offer great potential.

Yet insecure factors remain with the technology, there is a lack of sufficient experience and it is difficult to assess the costs of the system.

The wide coverage and data transmission possibilities of WiMax give it the potential to break the monopoly of the Deutsche Telekom in Germany for the so-called "last copper mile". Accordingly, there is wide interest in the new standard.

As already mentioned, the details of WiMax are still being hotly discussed. The planned application areas for WiMax are stationary business and private connections, as WiMax is primarily an access technology for end users. Subsequently, efforts will be made to integrate mobile devices in the process.

The potential for many varied applications in this area is still not clear. In the coming years the further development of WiMax is likely to lead to more consensus regarding use of the standard. In principle, however, WiMax technology has the potential after wireless LAN to become the most-used cable free technology and even to replace existing technology.