en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
 ·RoadRunner Cable
 ·DSL EXTREME
| reply to xenophon
Re: Hard to find a laptop w/out WiFi, WiMAX to follow same path
It costs less to deploy WiMAX for Clearwire/Sprint because...
They have a LOT of spectrum for it (i.e. doesn't need many sites). WiMAX is also a data only device (i.e. isn't tied into the CO's for call switching) which should keep the cost down.
A data-only option had better be willing to sell to house hold markets, as I don't suspect it will be doing much on the cell-phone style market (yet), especially since WiMAX doesn't hand off calls to any other type of infrastructure.
If it was as cheap as my DSL, I might think about it, assuming there's enough coverage/capacity.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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xenophon
join:2007-09-17
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
2 edits | We probably will see a couple WiMAX/CDMA smartphones from Sprint in the next year or so, but WiMAX only phones won't show up until QoS VoIP over WiMAX in a few years. Once VoIP is ubiquitous, it should be easy to handoff a VoIP call between networks. We may see WiMAX on gameboys and PSPs before before dedicated VoIP WiMAX phones.
Another key thing to point out is that Sprint doesn't want to sell WiMAX devices, just the service. They'll start out with selling devices, but eventually will get away from it. This is completely different than the cell-based model, where the carrier wants control of what's connecting to the network.
One other thing the article link points to is that Intel will be focusing on low power chips. It's about time. Only gamers, video editors and niche apps need 3Ghz or more. I'd rather have a 12-18 hour laptop at 1.5Ghz than 3 hours with dual core 2-4Ghz. |
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SD6
join:2005-03-26
| reply to en102
said by en102  :A data-only option had better be willing to sell to house hold markets, as I don't suspect it will be doing much on the cell-phone style market (yet), especially since WiMAX doesn't hand off calls to any other type of infrastructure. Actually, WiMax covers an entire metropolitan area so it has the advantage that handoffs are not required. At&T 3G has a problem when handing off to or from 3G, and of course there is no handoff from WiFi hotspot to WiFi hotspot. Besides Intel's Montevina, Nokia will sell a WiMax enabled handheld computer. So Mobile WiMax is where the action will be. Fixed WiMax will be for those households that can't get DSL. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
1 edit | That's partially my point.
If I'm using a WiMAX handset/PDA/laptop and go into a subway, will it handoff ? If it does handoff... to what ? WiFi, UMTS, EVDO ?
WiFi has a basic infrastructure
GSM/UMTS/WCDMA has a MAP core infratructure (using SIM / IMEI)
CDMA/EVDO has an ANSI infrastructure (using ESN)
WiMAX has ... ?
I have AT&T 3G, and I have no issues handing off to 3G or GSM. At least 25% of my calls go from 3G to GSM (suspecting capacity issues - only 10MHz is deployed on 3G here).
This would be similar to having a Verizon Wireless handset handoff to AT&T or Nextel. While it can be done, is it ?
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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SD6
join:2005-03-26
| As I said, WiMax covers an entire metropolitan area and there are no handoffs - a single connection. More like an FM radio station in that respect than a cellular or WiFi network. Of course, there are specific locations with coverage issues such as a subway (with any broadband wireless network).
There are problems with AT&T 2G/3G handoffs in New York where I live. |
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xenophon
join:2007-09-17
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
3 edits | reply to SD6
said by SD6 : any other type of infrastructure. Actually, WiMax covers an entire metropolitan area so it has the advantage that handoffs are not required. Actually there will be many WiMAX sites in a metro area and will need handoffs between sites when moving in a car/train, etc. A WiMAX tower can supposedly do about 4-6 miles at 2-10Mbps in the real world, but there may be more than one every 4-6 miles where extra capacity is needed or in difficult terrain.
Mobile WiMAX is spec'd to do handoffs between sites. |
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SD6
join:2005-03-26 | Thank you for the clarification. I had heard 15 miles for 2mbps, but that was years ago. Are they soft handoffs? I hope Xohm network will indeed be open to different access devices and will permit VoIP without restrictions. |
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xenophon
join:2007-09-17
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| The Intel chipset will likely have real handoffs by the time it arrives next year. What's unknown is if the initial Sprint WiMAX cards for the trial starting end of this year will do true handoffs or be 'nomadic', meaning you can move within the WiMAX site. But they will hopefully have WiMAX/EVDO combo cards so that you could use EVDO as a backup until mobile WiMAX is fully deployed and fully supported.
WiMAX World starts tomorrow so we should find out more. |
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en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| reply to SD6
If there's only 1 site.... they had better have 500MHz worth of bandwidth to share, or its going to get filled pretty fast.
A town/city of up to 5,000 can probably do well on a site.
Cities like Los Angeles and NYC had better have sites every mile at least.
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Canada = Hollywood North |
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