WiMax Mobile - a couple of thoughts
As you may have already read throughout the entire Web, the technology behind WiMax Mobile, called OFDMA, has been integrated as a standard of 3G telephones. That means that in Europe, a mobile operator ( Orange, BT…) could now deploy a WiMax Mobile network legally. Jus to remind you the promises of WiMax mobile extend to a 70Mb/s data rate and a IP oriented protocol providing QoS and everything you need to create true data services based on mobile devices.
Well … so what ? Although Franck, my CTO, is convinced that this opens up a whole bunch of new opportunities for new devices, I really don’t see any gain compared to HSDPA/HSUPA already available on regular operator’s networks. I only see optimisations but no real breakthrough as imho the mobile Internet is already a reality - only the unlimited data plans are truly missing to make it come true. And still there is no real breakthrough in term of service, HSDPA modems are slowly making their way into laptops, maybe instead of being HSDPA there will be WiMax chip instead ( haven’t compared their specs in term of power consumption) but still 3G is really enough for mobile access, and 3g+ is really fast enough to browse any video savvy web service or to upload a tons of stuff…
To read more check this doc from the WiMax alliance
