With market value expected to reach $5 billion by 2007 and the endorsement of some of the biggest names in telecommunications, World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is poised to change the broadband wireless landscape. But how much of WiMAX's touted potential is merely hype? Now that several pre-WiMAX networks have been deployed, what are the operators saying about QoS and ROI? How and when will device manufacturers integrate WiMAX into their products? What is the business case for using WiMAX rather than any number of other established wireless alternatives?
WiMAX: Taking Wireless to the MAX examines the evolution of wireless, broadband, and the wireless broadband landscape with exhaustive coverage of technological advances and evolving topologies. It sets the tone for the journey towards untouched wireless heights - WiMAX. The author builds a complete understanding of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) Technologies, elaborating on past developments, present needs and uses, and future trends and markets. He lays out a road map to the future and articulates present and future applications and models of BWA with focus on WiMAX. The book also provides a detailed discussion on the advanced technologies central to the existence of WiMAX. It presents strategies for building the case for WiMAX and achieving success for the different players, including service providers and equipment manufacturers.
An increasing demand for access to information anytime, anywhere has led to explosive growth in access and wireless technologies. The trend has created new competitive threats as well as new opportunities in every walk of life. The task, then, is to turn possibilities into realities and provide solutions that enable anywhere, anytime access to information and applications at low cost and with a small investment. Taking a coherent and fact-based approach, this book explores the space between what is known and available and what industry needs.
Give Me More: The Need for Broadband
Going Wireless: Enabling the Revolution
Broadband Goes Wireless
Understanding Wireless Networks
Defining Standards
Wireless Network Types
Key Wireless Technologies
Dynamics of Wireless Technologies
Opportunity for Wireless Technologies
Always Best-Connected
The Goal
Challenges
Key to Success: WiMAX
SETTING THE STAGE
The Knowledge Economy
The Need for Connectivity
Communication: Evolving with Mankind
The Global Brain
The Digital Divide: What Does it Signify?
Digital Market: Impact of E-Commerce
Digital Government: Assessing E-Government
The Economic Impact of Telecommunication
TELECOMMUNICATION: A CONNECTING MECHANISM
Telecommunication: Continuously Evolving
Trends in Transmission Coding Technology
A New Era of Telecommunication
The Network Is Born
Comparing the Telecom and Data Network Models
THE INTERNET TAKES OFF
The Birth of the Commercial Internet
Related Networks
Internet Evolution
The Technology behind the Internet
Backhaul Technologies
Distribution Technologies
Unprecedented Internet Growth
The Impact of the Internet
THE BROADER THE BETTER
The Need for Broadband
Why Broadband?
Broadband Applications
Broadband Technologies
Broadband Drivers and Pitfalls
WIRED VERSUS WIRELESS
Wireline Will Bleed but Won't Die
Why Go Wireless?7
The WLL Revolution
Wireless Data Access
Connectivity without Strings
Wireless Internet: Boom Time
Flavors of Wireless Internet
Wireless Network Technology
Drivers for Wireless Networks
Issues for Wireless Networks
BROADBAND UNWIRED
The Last Mile Shall Be the First
What Is Access?
Communications Revolution: Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)
BWA Technologies
Trends and Directions
Successes and Failures
WiMAX without Wires
Making Broadband Personal
One for Everyone
The Way Ahead
3G and Beyond
UNDERSTANDING THE TECHNOLOGY
How WiMAX Works
Designed to Succeed
Flavors of WiMAX
Types of WiMAX
Evolution of WiMAX
The Cutting Edge
IEEE 802.16 Standards
Overview
Family of IEEE 802.16 Standards
Importance of Standards
Technology Description
Base Stations
CPE or Subscriber System
RF Signals
Deployment Stages
Network Topology
Spectrum Issues
Spectrum Management
Spectral Impact: WiMAX
Licensed versus License Exempt
SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE
A Common Solution for Multiple Problems
The USP
Universal Acceptance: The Challenge
Economics of WiMAX
WiMAX Cost Structure
Capital Expenses (CAPEXs)
WiMAX Benefits
The Importance of Scalability and Flexibility
Coexistence
Convergence: The Future of Communication
WiMAX and Multiple Service Levels
Marketplace Positioning
Market Analysis
Market Segmentation and Scope
WiMAX Applications
Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
High-Speed Internet Access or Wireless DSL
Backhaul
Clustered Wi-Fi Hot Spots
The Last Mile: Bringing Broadband to Underserved Areas
Other Applications
Are We Ready?
High Expectations
Deployment Process
WiMAX: Initial Phase
IDENTIFYING THE MARKET
Boom Period: Wireless Networks
WiMAX: Wi-Fi on Steroids
The Present Scenario
WiMAX Players
WiMAX Forum and Wi-Fi Alliance
The Role of the WiMAX Forum
Conformance versus Interoperability
The WiMAX Certification Process
Market Drivers
Market Challenges
Government Regulations
Incumbent Telecoms
Licenses
The Spectrum Picture
3.5 GHz Band
5 GHz U-NII and WRC Bands
Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution Service
Future Spectrum for BWA/WiMAX
Block Sizes
FDD and TDD Status
PREDICTING THE FUTURE
The Historical Pattern
Lessons from History
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA): The Next Big Thing
The Failure of Generation One
BWA: The Present
Taking Broadband to the Masses
Professional Users: Needing Mobile Broadband More than Ever
Public and Residential Users: Getting More Done at Home
WiMAX: The New Kid on the Block
Radio Technology: Push in the Right Direction
WiMAX Poised for Take-Off (or Maybe Not)
Is WiMAX Secure?
Positive Spectrum Environment
Forecasts and Global Trends
ANALYZING THE MODEL
WiMAX: Scores Higher
SWOT Analysis
Where WiMAX Fits in
Business Case
PLANNING THE STRATEGY
Management Summary
Strategy Development: An Art, Not a Science
To WiMAX or Not to WiMAX
The Players
Service Providers
Equipment Vendors
Regulators
Investors
Mobility: The Catch-22
Getting the Best out of WiMAX
Recommendations
CONCLUSION
The World Wants Access
Broadband Access to Buildings
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)
WiMAX
Properties of IEEE Standard 802.16
Third-Generation Technology in 802.16
WiMAX Forum Purpose
Biography
Deepak Pareek