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Using WiMAX Technology
WiMAX requirements, performance and cost
By Nadeem Unuth Nadeem Unuth Freelance Contributor University of Mauritius Nadeem Unuth is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who specializes in information and communication technology with a focus on VoIP. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 5, 2020 Tweet Share Email Yagi Studio Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless WiMAX Wi-Fi WiMAX RequirementsThe Cost of WiMAXWiMAX Performance What is Needed for WiMAX
As with any wireless technology, the requirements for WiMAX are basically a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is a WiMAX tower, much like a GSM tower. One tower, also called a base station, can provide coverage to an area within a radius of around 50 km. There is nothing much you the consumer can do about that tower; it is the part of the service provider's facilities. So first, you need to get yourself subscribed to a WiMAX service. Here is a list of deployed WiMAX networks around the world, from which you can search for one closest to you. On the other side, in order to receive the WiMAX waves, you need a receiver for WiMAX for connecting your computer or device. Ideally, your device will have WiMAX support in-built, but that might be a bit rare and expensive, because the first WiMAX-enabled laptops have just been released and at the time of writing (2009), there are only a handful of WiMAX-enabled mobile phones, like the Nokia N810 Internet tablet. However, there are PCMCIA cards for laptops, which are quite affordable and convenient. We used to have a WiMAX modem that we'd connect to a laptop, but it happened to be quite inconvenient since it needed to be powered and it was less than easily portable. WiMAX modems can connect to computers and other devices through USB and Ethernet cables. What WiMAX Costs
WiMAX is bound to be cheaper than both broadband DSL internet and 3G data plans. We don't consider Wi-Fi here even if it is free because it is a LAN technology. WiMAX is cheaper than wired DSL because it does not require placing wires around the area to be covered, which represents an enormous investment for the provider. Not requiring this investment opens the door to many service providers who can start retailing out wireless broadband with low capital, thereby causing prices to drop due to competition. 3G was packet-based and users normally have a threshold package. Data transferred beyond the limit of this package is paid per excess MB. This can end up being quite expensive for heavy users. On the other hand, WiMAX allows unlimited connectivity for all kinds of data, including data, voice, and video. If you intend to use WiMAX, you will only have to invest in WiMAX-supported hardware or device that will connect to your existing hardware. In these early days of WiMAX integration, the former will be expensive, but the latter quite affordable and even free. When we subscribed to a WiMAX service some time back, we were given a modem free of charge (to be returned at the end of the contract). We only had to pay the monthly fee, which was a flat rate for unlimited access. So finally, WiMAX, especially at home and in the office, can be relatively quite cheap. WiMAX Performance
WiMAX is quite powerful, with a speed of up to 70 Mbps, which is a lot. Now, what comes after determines the quality of the connection you receive. Some providers try to accommodate too many subscribers on one line (on their servers), which results in poor performances during peak times and for certain applications. WiMAX has a range of around 50 km in a circle. Terrain, weather, and buildings affect this range and this often results in many people not receiving signals good enough for a proper connection. Orientation is also an issue, and some people have to choose to place their WiMAX modems near windows and turned in certain specific directions for good reception. A WiMAX connection is normally non-line-of-sight, which means that the transmitter and the receiver need not have a clear line between them. But a line-of-sight version exists, where performance and stability is much better, since this does away with problems associated with terrain and buildings. . Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect Two Home Computers Through a Network How Are 4G and 5G Different? The 9 Best Internet Service Providers of 2022 How to Make Wired Speakers Wireless WiMax vs. LTE 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Computer Mouse How to Add Bluetooth Adapter to Your TV What Is WiMAX? How to Get Started With VoIP The 6 Best Bluetooth Audio Receivers, Tested by Experts How to Connect HDMI Over Long Distances How to Improve FM Antenna Reception Types of Network Connections 4G Mobile Networks: The Pros and the Cons The Truth About Wireless Speakers for Home Theaters The 6 Best iPhone FM Transmitters for Your Car, Tested by Experts Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies