WiMax and WiFi..

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) for short is a point to multi point, non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless broadband access technology. WiMax also known officially as 802.16-2004 (its IEEE name) can transfer data at rates around 70Mbps with a range of close to 30 miles all from just a single base station.

Unlike WiFi, WiMAX's range is typically measured in miles rather than feet. The main distinction of the difference between the two standards means that WiFi is focused on a local-area networking (LAN) technology and that WiMAX is a MAN technology.

Imagine the possibilities: A business with many stores through out a metro area could network all of his stores together, wirelessly. The hardware savings alone would be sufficient to justify the switch to WiMax.

Another reason that WiMax should be given a good look is the speed factor. The most common Wi-Fi technology; 802.11b currently allows for data transmission speeds of up to 6Mbps under ideal real-world conditions. While this is relatively fast, its nothing compared to the speed that WiMax can provide. WiMax has the capability to provide data transmission rates of up to 70Mbps. That's nearly the equivalent of 60 T-1 lines.

Combine that with the range of WiMax and you can see why the possibilities for WiMax's applications are almost endless. One Broadband provider with one WiMax tower could provide wireless Internet service for hundreds of users while maintaining DSL equivalent data transmission speeds.