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Will gigabit WiMAX replace cellular?

March 2, 2007 at 8:16 PM by Esme Vos

As I mentioned in a previous post, the IEEE is developing a new WiMAX standard (802.16m) that will offer both mobile and fixed connections at speeds up to 1Gbps. That’s lightening fast compared to any existing mobile wireless technology. As I mentioned in a previous post, the IEEE is developing a new WiMAX standard (802.16m) that will offer both mobile and fixed connections at speeds up to 1Gbps. That’s lightening fast compared to any existing mobile wireless technology. Could this lead to gigabit WiMAX becoming the 4G technology of choice and replace conventional cellular technology?

That’s a big question, but there’re more and more people talking about this concept. Something to keep in mind is that such a feat will require substantial buy-in to WiMAX standards from the majority of telecoms. Sprint is currently investing heavily into mobile WiMAX technology, but it’s not clear yet how the majority of others will move forward. Without considerable adoption by the telecoms, support for WiMAX in the cellular industry will splinter, and the possibility of gigabit WiMAX becoming the prime 4G technology will certainly weaken. In addition, major standards efforts between world organizations, such as IEEE and ITU, will need to take place to firmly integrate WiMAX into the cellular telecom world.

I’m interested in knowing your thoughts. What do you think? Will gigabit WiMAX make that big of an impression on the cellular landscape?

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Jim Geier is an independent consultant and founder of Wireless-Nets, Ltd (www.wireless-nets.com), a consulting firm assisting municipalities, enterprises, hospitals, airports, and equipment providers with the development and deployment of wireless networks. Jim is the author of several books, including Deploying Voice over Wireless LANs (Cisco Press), Wireless LANs (SAMS), Wireless Networks ‚Äö?Ñ?¨ First Step (Cisco Press), Wireless Networking Handbook (Macmillan), and Network Reengineering (McGraw-Hill).

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One Comment on “Will gigabit WiMAX replace cellular?”

  1. Reggie Pugh Says:
    March 3rd, 2007 at 11:15 am

    gigabit MiMAX, I mean WiMax, if not given much competition from other emerging wireless platforms will do quite well IMHO.

    It’s all about speed and security. Users are looking for everything (video, voice and data)converged faster and safely.

    As long as Sprint and Clearwire continue to lead the way stateside , the future looks bright.

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