The WiMAX/Wi-Fi Confusion

Filed in archive Wireless on May 14, 2007

Thanks to Thinkquest.org I was able to provide you with a picture that illustrates the difference between WiMAX and Wi-Fi.

As shown in the picture above, WiMAX radio connectivity will in the future provide Internet connection over the proverbial "last mile". Wi-Fi, on the other hand (as shown in the picture above) provides connectivity within a home, or within a building.

If we compare these two radio uses with a telephone equivalent, we would say that WiMAX is like mobile telephony, it provides mobile Internet connection within a radius of up to 50 kilometres (40 miles) of an antennae. On the other hand, Wi-Fi is like a Cordless telephone, covering the distance between the antennae and a device, such as a laptop within a home, possibly not more than a room away from the antennae.

So what is the future of WiMAX, Wi-Fi and other technologies, such as 3G and 4G networks? Mike Wolleben provides one point of view on this topic. Essentially, we can look forward to WiMAX connectivity to complement DSL and Cable. 4G is more about how providers will make their services we achieve through WiMAX, Cable and DSL more cost effectively. 4G is about building out the various radio connections we achieve through better and fatter pipes.

Later this year we can all look forward to seeing WiMAX services coming our way, Sprint in the USA, Unwired in Australia and potentially BT in the UK.