WiMAX ISP as low cost broadband?

WiMAX means Wireless Interoperabilitу Microwave Access. WiMAX ISP is a new, progressive way of the wireless internet access with many advantages over WiFi. The cost of WiMax ISP may be lower than other broadband ISPs.

WiFi and WiMax ISPs both change the face of ISP market. Cable or DSL users are now using WiFi and WiMax as effective tools of communication, especially with mobile devices.

WiMAX vs WiFi

WiMax has many advantages over Wifi networks.

1. WiMax channels use various frequency sub-bands, from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz. WiMax runs on 802.16 protocol to access on the basis of point and multipoint wireless standard. The new protocol standards are 802.16d and 802.16e. The 802.16d provides fixed connection while 802.16e provides mobile access. Both protocols provide guaranteed quality of service (QoS). WiFi uses only one protocol.
   
2. WiMAX ISP provides better noise-immunity, range and reliability because of OFDM modulation, that allows to use maximum speed of each virtual parallel channel.
   
3. WiMax communication system designed on the basis of different frequency bands. It provides two different kinds of wireless connection like line of sight and non line of sight with different frequency bands. WiFi vs WiMAX uses only one band.
   
4. WiMax ISP is available in the rural area too, while the WiFi ISP is able to provide access for metro only.
   
5. The coverage of WiMax tower is in the range of 3000 sq. miles while the WiFi coverage depends on the hot spots locations.
   
6. WiMax ISP can access in the interior area due to higher capacity of the base station while Wifi system is limited to hot spot locations only. There are limited hot spot locations available in the different area.
   
7. WiMax ISP uses smart antennas that "follow" the moble abonent and concentrates its radiation to abonent direction. WiFi doesn't.

And there are news: Baltimore became the first USA city with full WiMAX ISP coverage!

Sprint has launched the first city-wide WiMAX ISP service in the USA, in Baltimore. Residents of the largest Maryland's city will have access to a 2-4 Mbps download link, courtesy of Sprint's XOHM business unit.

The costs start at $10 for a one-day pass, $25 for monthly home service, $30 for mobile and $50 for access through two device, at home and mobile.

Users need a WiMAX-capable device: XOHM is kindly selling mobile cards for $60 and home modems for $80. XOHM's WiMAX system uses the 2.5 GHz spectrum and should be rolled out in the rather larger cities of Chicago and Washington DC over the new few months.

BTW, AT&T offers FREE WI-FI when customer orders their DSL service. The cost of AT&T's WI-FI for other customers is $20 per month, billed to a credit card with a one-year term. The service is supported now by Starbucks hot spots in 17,000 locations across the country, plus over 54,000 domestic and international Premier Roaming locations.

In November 2008, AT&T has acquired WiFi hotspot operator Wayport. It gives them a total global hotspot count approaching 80,000. Thereby, AT&T may be called nationwide wireless ISP too.