WiMax: The next Wi-Fi?

[big-daddy]

WASHINGTON -- A wireless technology that Sprint Nextel plans to launch within a year makes high-speed and secure Internet access possible from almost anywhere.

Called WiMax, it's the heart of a huge telecommunications industry effort to supplant Wi-Fi, the service that most users rely on for wireless Internet connections at broadband speeds.

If it succeeds, WiMax technology could be as big a change as the mobile phone revolution. An independent technology consulting firm, Boston-based Yankee Group, estimates that 58 million people worldwide will use WiMax by 2012.

Sprint, which invested $5 billion to become the first company to deliver it in the United States, plans to offer WiMax-embedded electronic devices such as laptop computers and digital cameras by 2009 and 2010, said Barry West, the company's chief technology officer.

Unlike Wi-Fi, which relies on free radio frequencies that suffer from interference, WiMax uses a licensed channel of radio spectrum. It provides clearer, stronger and more secure Internet access. The stronger signal travels farther than Wi-Fi, enabling consumers to get beyond the limits of Wi-Fi "hotspots."

Instead, they can surf the Web in cars, parks and rural communities unreached by Wi-Fi. Sprint's system also offers Internet access that's five times faster than most current devices, according to the company.

The greater speed and stronger signal could enable WiMax-equipped cell phone users at work to operate a washer-dryer or record a TV show at home, said Paul Kirby, a technology writer for TR Daily, a communications industry newsletter.

First responders could convey more real-time information from accidents and crime scenes by transferring photos and data to emergency rooms and command centers wirelessly, Kirby said. WiMax's faster Internet access also would make long-distance learning more interactive, and its stronger signal would reach more students.

[JackL]

Sprint will be out of business before wimax ever sees the light of day.

[big-daddy]

Sprint will be out of business before wimax ever sees the light of day.

Wrong again Jack boy.....Up and running in 3 cities

[dj_pizzim]

Well isnt that nice

A whole 3 cities

[CABLEGUY1]

What's up with the select few that continually post negative comments whenever Big Daddy posts something? It's like they wait for him to start a thread or comment on a current thread and instantly bash him or talk crap about what ever he posts. I see it both ways but it seems like he is usually defending himself. I have a problem with a member of this site as demonstrated in the past but I dont follow his every move or wait for him to post just to bash or ridicule him. We had our words and dropped it. Am I missing something?

[JackL]

What's up with the select few that continually post negative comments whenever Big Daddy posts something? It's like they wait for him to start a thread or comment on a current thread and instantly bash him or talk crap about what ever he posts. I see it both ways but it seems like he is usually defending himself. I have a problem with a member of this site as demonstrated in the past but I dont follow his every move or wait for him to post just to bash or ridicule him. We had our words and dropped it. Am I missing something?

What is missing is your opinion of xhom. It is potential (lol) competition for you also.

[CABLEGUY1]

Honestly that's the first I've heard of xhom. Were currently competing with Verizon FIOS which so far isnt making a dent. I looked up xhom a little while ago and sure the idea sounds great but the reliability of a wireless broadband connection seems a little questionable. I couldnt find a price comparison either. It does have my interest but based on coverage areas it seems like it may be a ways down the road.

[logandzwon]

I have sprint for my EVDO PC express aircard.  The service is AWESOME, it is almost as fast as being on DSL.  However, the customer support sucks, bad.  Every two to three months this cycle repeats: I pay my late fee, late bill, and sign up for automatic payment to my credit card.  Sprint mails me a letter saying I have signed up for auto payment.  A month or two goes by and I get letter from sprint about being late and owing them 2-3 months of service payment.

[Ida_Mann]

I have sprint for my EVDO PC express aircard.  The service is AWESOME, it is almost as fast as being on DSL.  However, the customer support sucks, bad.  Every two to three months this cycle repeats: I pay my late fee, late bill, and sign up for automatic payment to my credit card.  Sprint mails me a letter saying I have signed up for auto payment.  A month or two goes by and I get letter from sprint about being late and owing them 2-3 months of service payment.

that was my only complaint about the service as well,,,,,,I actually took my aircard on a drive from Boston down to Orlando on a straight-through drive non-stop and was connected and listening to internet radio stations the entire time.

Id@

[americanhighlander]

Yeah i wish wifimax bought out windsteam so alot people get wifi
instead all hard areas can't get dsl like you have do waiting list or they
can expand with dsl and everything.

I haerd of wifi max on g4tv while back...........