Mobile WiMAX

Broadband

Feedsee Broadband : Mobile WiMAX : Nomadic self install allows operators to begin offering data and voice services over 802.16e

Mobile WiMAX, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless broadband technology that was designed to provide high-speed internet access to mobile users. Its official standard is IEEE 802.16e-2005.

In 2007, Alvarion's 802.16e-compliant BreezeMAX system addressed widespread demand for solutions based on the latest version of the WiMAX standard. After trials and testing around the world, the system was designed to enable broadband anytime, anywhere as part of a comprehensive network solution for mobile WiMAX. Using BreezeMAX as its radio access network (RAN), 4Motion operated at 2.3, 2.5, and 3.5 GHz and was used by more than fifteen customers to provide fixed, nomadic and portable broadband services in urban, suburban and rural areas alike. Alvarion's Open WiMAX, an operator-centric, all-IP ecosystem enabled service providers to choose network equipment and consumer electronics equipment from any combination of vendors and partners to fit their mobile network requirements.

What was WiMAX?

WiMAX technology was intended to provide "last mile" broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL, and to also provide connectivity to areas that are difficult to wire, such as rural or remote locations. Mobile WiMAX improved upon the original WiMAX standard (IEEE 802.16-2004) by adding full mobility support, allowing users to access the internet while moving at vehicular speeds.

A major advantage of mobile WiMAX was its capability to deliver high-speed data, with theoretical speeds reaching up to 40 Mbps. However, real-world speeds often ended up being lower, depending on various factors such as distance from the base station, the number of users connected to the network, and the type of data being transferred.

WiMAX was seen as a competitor to 4G LTE technology in the early 2010s, but LTE eventually became the dominant standard for mobile broadband due to broader industry support. Although WiMAX didn't achieve widespread adoption in the consumer market, it still saw use in certain applications and markets.

In recent years, the use of WiMAX has significantly decreased, largely due to the prevalence and improved performance of LTE and the emerging 5G technologies.