DaDogs
Semper Vigilantis
Premium
join:2004-02-28
Deltaville, VA
3 edits | Re: Where's the WiMAX equipment? said by bac522  :This reminds me of the hype 802.11b got when it first come out and where is that technology now...oh wait 802.11b everywhere now even more so then the hype predicted. Precisely ...
WiMax development is showing exactly the same growing pains that WiFi did. Every vendor wants to beat his breast about his own proprietary protocol. Development is expensive and every hardware vendor wants to have his hardware development done when the standard hits the floor. Same thing happened with 802.11b and "WiFi" certification.
As for someone going out and purchasing WiMax hardware off the shelf, that isn't happening any time soon. The fact is that it can't happen until WiMax service providers exist.
WiMax has a number of points in it's favor, but it may go the way of Vivato, namely become a specialty solution. It really depends upon whether the vendors get off their arses and get the hardware out into the WISP markets. Until there is service available, there will be little reason for the masses to embrace the technology.
Verizon and SBC don't want it deployed and are busily muddying up the spectrum. With every DSL install they ship a Westel DSL/WiFi Router. They do not configure the modems and they do not provide instructions on how to setup or configure the access point. As mentioned elsewhere, this leaves the subscriber's home network wide open, but provides free bandwidth to his neighbors, and it accomplishes one other thing. It clutters the hell out of the 2.4 GHz spectrum, killing established WISPs by deliberately creating interference.
Smart Verizon, real smart, dirty, but smart. This deployement of WiFi to every DSL subscriber will ensure the demise of WiMax. After all, if there is already FREE coverage in your area, why would you buy a WiMax card and hook up with a WiMax carrier? Moreover, If you were a WISP and Verizon was deploying literally thousands of WiFi AP's in your coverage area, would you even consider upgrading to WiMax? Yep, Verizon that's pretty smart but a bit short sighted.
Soon the rank and file are going to figure out that a free WiFi connection is ALREADY in the neighborhood. Soon someone will tell them that all they need to connect is a WAP-11 in client mode or a WiFi bridge. Soon they will understand that if they simply arrange with their neighbor to pay part of his DSL bill, Verizon will never know the difference and the neighbor will appreciate them helping him secure his wide open network.
So we come full circle, WiMax will need to be a pretty nice technology to compete and it is, unfortunately, it has not been fast enough to market. Thus Verizon, who saw it coming down the pike, has in one killed local WISP competition operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, killed the adoption of WiMax, and fooled everyone while doing it ... even themselves,  heh.
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