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WiMAX gives a boost to wireline coverage
The future of the much-debated wireless technology WiMAX is becoming clear: Ericsson supports WiMAX as a strong complement to fixed broadband networks.
June 1, 2006
The development of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability Microwave Access) has been split into two major tracks. One promotes a fully mobile version, competing with the 3G mobile network's broadband technology HSPA, while the other involves seeing WiMAX as well suited for fixed wireless broadband but not real mobility.
Torbjörn Nilsson, head of Ericsson Strategy & Product Management, says that in areas where copper is non-existent or the quality is poor, wireless solutions such as WiMAX or HSPA are good options. In rural areas or as complement to existing fixed copper networks, WiMAX can provide coverage quickly and profitably.
"We therefore want to use our knowledge in radio and mobile broadband to strengthen the fixed-network market further," he says.
Ulf Ewaldsson, head of Ericsson's Product Management for WiMAX, points out the complexity of the mobile function. "We know mobility and we know what it takes to provide real mobility with handover, roaming and a network that can manage radio resources," he says.
That is why Ericsson is focusing on developing WiMAX to cater for fixed-nomadic-portable applications based on OFDMA technology, an improved OFDM technology (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) used in WiMAX, WLAN and digital TV.
It is also important to find a common frequency spectrum: Ericsson prefers the 3.5GHz band, because most parts of the world are planning to expand the attractive 2.5GHz band into the 3G spectrum.
Fact box:
WiMAX can be described as a WLAN system with greater output power. It can cover a much larger area than WLAN, in the range of 1-10km, or like a small city. The system can send and receive broadband data from an antenna in a mast to antennas connected to customer premises equipment (CPE); these can include rooftop or window-mounted CPE antennas or PC cards, PDAs and other handheld devices. WiMAX does not currently give real mobility within a cell and does not allow roaming between cells. The terms "portable" or "nomadic" access are often used within the industry.
Torbjörn Nilsson, head of Ericsson Strategy & Product Management, says that in areas where copper is non-existent or the quality is poor, wireless solutions such as WiMAX or HSPA are good options. In rural areas or as complement to existing fixed copper networks, WiMAX can provide coverage quickly and profitably.
"We therefore want to use our knowledge in radio and mobile broadband to strengthen the fixed-network market further," he says.
Ulf Ewaldsson, head of Ericsson's Product Management for WiMAX, points out the complexity of the mobile function. "We know mobility and we know what it takes to provide real mobility with handover, roaming and a network that can manage radio resources," he says.
That is why Ericsson is focusing on developing WiMAX to cater for fixed-nomadic-portable applications based on OFDMA technology, an improved OFDM technology (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) used in WiMAX, WLAN and digital TV.
It is also important to find a common frequency spectrum: Ericsson prefers the 3.5GHz band, because most parts of the world are planning to expand the attractive 2.5GHz band into the 3G spectrum.
Fact box:
WiMAX can be described as a WLAN system with greater output power. It can cover a much larger area than WLAN, in the range of 1-10km, or like a small city. The system can send and receive broadband data from an antenna in a mast to antennas connected to customer premises equipment (CPE); these can include rooftop or window-mounted CPE antennas or PC cards, PDAs and other handheld devices. WiMAX does not currently give real mobility within a cell and does not allow roaming between cells. The terms "portable" or "nomadic" access are often used within the industry.
