Ok, ok. I admit it: I'm a computer neophyte. I have barely mastered the keyboard, but I still pretend that I know more than I do.
Thus, I am turning to my resident techonologists to ask:
What do you know about this WiMax technology? Is it everything this article seems to suggest? Is it going to crush Earthlink's Wireless Philly/SanFran/Anaheim/etc. and all other municipal Wi-Fi projects? Or will something better come along to replace it before it gets started (the residential broadband problem)?
Just curious.
Article credit: The Road to WiMax, from businessweek.com
First of all, this article was heavy on the business aspect and light on the technology (that's why it was appropirately printed in Business Week, and not Wired).
I think this is a great technology, and it sounds like Intel is working to get quite a few companies on-board. But, I think there will still be a large uproar from cable and dsl companies who stand to see a large exodus of customers.
Also, I can see the technology of broadcasting WiMAX to millions of computers in a city. What I don't understand yet is how those computers will broadcast back. (Unlike TV & Radio, computers must interact with the internet... it's a two way street).
Also, think about the way you use the internet now. You're at home, or at work. Sure, there's a market for being able to take your laptop to a buddies house, or to a meeting at another office and still have internet. I'm sure there are guys that would love to pop-open their laptop at the airport. My brother would love to take his laptop and study in the park.
But most users use their computer at home or work. Your home - which may not have fiber optics yet - may have DSL or Cable... so WiMAX would need to be cheaper, or you'd just stay on your current ISP. Your office will be hesitant to let proprietary corporate information loose on the airwaves - even if it is encrypted.
I think if we see this technology, it will exist only in a few test markets while the bugs get worked out and the companies work to get the technology installed in enough equipment (and consumer confidence raised). It could work.
After all... I remember not buying CDs because I didn't have a CD player. And I didn't want to buy a CD player, because I didn't have any CDs.
Posted by: Kevin Craig | August 28, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Kevin says: "But most users use their computer at home or work."
That's what folks used to say about their phones!!!
There's no doubt that there are loads of uses for wider, wireless, broadband networks. Many beyond what we think of as "traditional" internet applications.
Posted by: Matt | August 28, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Oh...and Bill...as to your original question.
Metropolitan WiFi and WiMAX address two separate issues.
Take a look here to see the difference....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX#Comparison_with_Wi-Fi
Posted by: Matt | August 28, 2007 at 11:00 AM