WiMAX

WiMAX is a new wireless networking protocol that is destined to change the landscape in surprising ways. While DSL & Cable internet have become more popular, they are not always available everywhere and you can't take it with you on your laptop unless you are within the short 150 foot bubble of a Airport 802.11 zone. WiMAX is considered metropolitan wireless networking. While Airport can only extend a short distance, WiMAX will go for miles and will have similar performance to Airport, DSL & Cable internet speeds. Expect it to change the market in interesting ways. It will allow cellular companies, utilities and others to compete with DSL & Cable internet providers. With the advent of Voice over IP telephones, this can also have a bigger impact on local phone companies. At the same time, it will likely impact cellular companies as new hybrid phones are produced that will use Airport or WiMAX and offer free or discounted minutes as compared to when you are "roaming" in areas that only offer cellular coverage. This will help inside buildings and areas where your cellular signal might normally start to fail, instead it will switch to a wireless network automatically without losing your call and probably improving your call audio quality as well.

WiMAX should prove to be a major ground shaker. Intel and other major players have already decided to bet a lot on its success. Expect WiMAX to start hitting the market heavy by 2008.

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