Sheara Wilensky . com

I came across an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning entitled “Big Tech Firms to Invest In Wireless” about how major telecom firms will be joining forces to create a new $14.55 billion communications company. Called Clearwire, the company will set out to develop a mobile network based on a technology called WiMax, promising to offer faster speeds for mobile and other data services. Sprint would be the front-runner on the deal, with a $1.05 billion investment from Comcast, $1 billion from Intel, $500 million from Google, $550 million from Time Warner and $100 million from Bright House. Google is promised to be the default search engine on the mobile devices employing the new technology.

So what is this “WiMax”, anyway? WiMax is an acronym that stands for the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways. It can support fixed and mobile broadband usage and is a powerful alternative to DSL and Cable.

WiMax is a wonderful technology because it essentially eliminates the need for running wires through walls. It works similar to WiFi, but at higher speeds, over greater distances and for a greater number of users. WiMax provides two forms of wireless service. In one way, a small antenna on your computer transmits to a tower station using a low frequency range similar to WiFi. Lower wavelength transmissions are not easily disrupted by physical obstructions and can diffract or bend around obstacles. In the other form of WiMax service, a fixed dish antenna, say on the roof of your building, points to the WiMax tower. This is a stronger, more stable connection using higher frequencies to send great amounts of data via high bandwidth.

Since WiMax equipment is minimal, installing and maintaining the service is more cost efficient than more traditional methods of obtaining internet access. A solution that makes sense in more rural areas due to its greater coverage areas, WiMax is starting to be seen more in cities, especially in older commercial buildings which are not pre-wired for high-speed internet access.

I first learned about WiMax a few months ago doing research for a client. I thought the product was great and the wireless solution logical. In fact I was surprised that more companies were not offering this option. And as it turns out, my office now utilizes WiMax to access the internet (we are in an older building)! I imagined it would only be a matter of time before the bigwigs started to catch on.