We bring together the most relevant Electronics Weekly content on WiMAX wireless technology, but see also:
WiMax, or the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard. The name “WiMax” was coined by the WiMax Forum, a group founded in June 2001 to support the wireless technology. Its popularity is apparent in every sector, including the electrical engineering industry. Semiconductor specialist IQE, for example has WiMax to thank for a jump in revenue for the first half of 2007.
According to Alex Mayhew-Smith’s article on
WiMax and IQE, the electronic component firm announced that although trade in January and February was level, the following four months proved to look more promising. IQE predicted £22.5m in revenue for the interim period, which is slightly higher than the market average.
Chief executive of IQE, Drew Nelson, attributed the leap in business to WiMax (or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), along with
WiFi,
Bluetooth and
mobile phones, among other
wireless technologies.
“Demand for our products is being fuelled by both the growth in wireless volumes and significantly, the continued trend to higher speed, feature rich devices,” he told EW.
The future of WiMax
Wireless technology developer Nujira CEO Tim Haynes echoes IQE’s sentiments in praising WiMax. Indeed, WiMax may prove to be a threat to 3G for broadband access.
“WiMax looks like it could be a real competitor to 3G in many situations, although the technology has some way to go before it has all the features to compete with 3G in a mobile environment,” he said.
He continued: “WiMax has certainly done a good job of encouraging new entrants to the wireless infrastructure market, which can only be good for the industry, and component suppliers such as Nujira.”
Mobile WiMax could soon be a reality in the UK if changes to the spectrum licence held by UK Broadband take place.
Wireless broadband provider UK Broadband has lobbied communications watchdog Ofcom to change the licence to a “technology and service neutral” level which will also permit higher power levels. As UK Broadband’s current licence permits it to transmit wireless services in the 3.5GHz band in the UK, a less stringent restriction would allow it to provide mobile WiMax.
Other industry insiders also believe WiMax will be a major player in the future of wireless communications technology.
In his blog entry WiMax or Cellular for 4G? David Manners spoke to Rene Penning de Vries, CTO of NXP, about whether WiMax or cellular would be the dominant 4G technology. The debate is one with major repercussions across the wireless sector and no one is certain as to which direction the industry will head.
“There’s so much money involved,” de Vries said, “people are concerned to see that investment in 3G is used to the maximum.
“It’s all about spectrum efficiency. In the end that would be the most important criterion. I tend to believe that WiMax would be the one.”
Indeed, WiMax has received a boost from 3G as it is set to be approved by the International Telecommunication Union as a terrestrial radio interface for third generation wireless communications.
If wireless investor confidence is anything to go by, then WiMax certainly will have a bright future. Wireless solutions provider PicoChip’s fortunes took a turn for the better when it received an extra $27m in funding, taking total investment to more than $70m.
Also, the first US WiMax certification lab will open later in 2007, providing further evidence of the wireless technology’s sustainability.
Critics of WiMax
Wireless communications specialist Qualcomm is bullish on CDMA revenues despite the use of the 802.16 WiMax technology.
“It is not possible to do WiMax without some essential patents from Qualcomm. We think with 802.16m [mobile WiMax] our strength will increase,” said Qualcomm chief operating officer Sanjay Jha.
“We believe 802.16e is not true mobility. 802.16m is when you worry about quality of service, power, reliability – then our IP position improves.”
Mobile WiMax uses multiple input, multiple output antenna technology on OFDM-based radio.
WiMax on Electronics Weekly
Latest News
Previous news to note
Is a merger of LTE and Wimax desirable?
Is a merger of LTE and Wimax, the two contesting standards for 4G, do-able or desirable? The question has been has resurrected by Intel after it was originally proposed last year by Arun Sarin. CEO of Vodafone, that the two 4G standards should be combined.
Motorola calls up WiMAX for 4G mobiles
Motorola unveils a WiMAX chipset modem at WiMAX World USA this week, which will support the roll-out of 4G mobile devices.
Nokia, Intel team up for WiMax device interoperability
Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks have announced that they are testing interoperability across Intel's forthcoming WiMax silicon for laptops and mobile Internet devices
WiFi, WiMax, GPS push IQE revenues up and up
Electronic component firm IQE has seen business rise above expectations in the first half of 2007, largely due to the popularity of WiMax and other wireless systems. Sorely surely
WiFi – Wireless networks here to stay
WiMax, among other wireless networks, is proliferating in the electronic engineering industry as managers no longer have to fork out massive overheads in order to have these networks installed and maintained.
Bluetooth bites for the last 25 metres of the wireless Internet
The Bluetooth market is holding strong despite competition from new lower power and higher performance wireless technologies.
CSR’s CEO says iPhone is ‘more than a phone’
Single-chip manufacturer CSR claims iPhone is not only significant to Apple, but also to its suppliers.
Mini power source runs wireless transmitter
University of Southampton researchers have built a vibration-powered AC generator small than a sugar cube.
Q5 – Tim Haynes, Nujira
Electronics Weekly talks to Tim Haynes, CEO of Nujira, wireless technology specialist.
Mobile WiMax is focus of UK licence moves
The UK is on the cusp of obtaining mobile WiMax if communication watchdog Ofcom approves changes proposed by UK Broadband.
Ofcom plans more mobile operators for broadband
WiMax could soon be harnessed by wireless broadband service providers as Ofcom ushers in the largest single release of radio spectrum.
WiMax or cellular for 4G?
David Manners explores the options for the future of the wireless industry: WiMax or cellular.
WiMax gets boost from 3G interface
The International Telecommunications Union has rubber-stamped WiMax acting as a terrestrial radio interface.
Wireless start-up investment on a high
WiMax and wireless technology firm PicoChip has announced $27m in new funding, mirroring the increasing cost of wireless technology business start-ups.
First WiMax certification lab to open in US
The US will soon have its first WiMax certification test lab later this year, and industry insiders believe it will be perfectly placed to forge ties with key North American industry forums.
Qualcomm bullish on CDMA revenues despite WiMax
Key wireless technology firm Qualcomm believes the widespread use of WiMax will not siphon revenue away from its CDMA operations.
Electronics Weekly Trends and Technologies
Bluetooth the way forward for wireless
Bluetooth has become a household name and as its implementations have undergone improvements, the wireless technology's popularity has soared in recent times.
WiFi - Wireless networks here to stay
The number of WiFi networks is increasing at a significant rate due to the decreasing cost of setting up and maintaining the wireless system.
ZigBee low-power radio networking
Zigbee is a low-power radio networking technology that can support thousands of nodes in dynamic star and mesh networks.
Wibree - Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth
Wibree - which is now known as Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth - is radio technology for small, button cell battery-operated devices.
Ofcom and the regulation of UK communications
The official watchdog of the British communications sector, Ofcom is an influential and, at times, controversial, player in the development of networking technologies.
Further WiMax information
WiMax truly disruptive if marketed well, study says
WiMax could truly shake up the current wireless market if set up and marketed properly, a new study by two industry insiders has found.
Sprint and Google to collaborate on WiMax
Mobile broadband specialist Sprint will be partnering with Google to deliver new search, instant messaging and social networking applications to WiMax mobile Internet customers.
Russia is to become mobile WiMax pioneer
Telco Summa Telecom is set to herald one of the world’s first mobile WiMax networks as it launches the wireless standard in Russia’s five largest cities.
WiMax Forum
The WiMax Forum is a collective of wireless technology stakeholders, such as companies, industry veterans, experts and other insiders.
WiMax on Wikipedia
Features background information on WiMax, including competing wireless technologies as well as a look at the future of the standard.