WiMax and your cell phone 4G network

WiMAX is an IP based, wireless broadband access technology that provides performance similar to 802.11/Wi-Fi networks with the coverage and QOS of cellular networks. WiMAX is also an acronym meaning “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.  WiMAX is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless metropolitan area networks. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access up to 30 miles for fixed stations, and 3 – 10 miles for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 100 – 300 feet.

WiMAX is a possible replacement candidate for cellular phone technologies such as GSM and CDMA, or can be used as an overlay to increase capacity. Fixed WiMAX is also considered as a wireless backhaul technology for 2G, 3G, and 4G networks in both developed and developing nations.  Sprint Nextel has begun using WiMAX, branded as a 4G network.  However at early stages, technologies considered to be 4G were: Flash-OFDM, the 802.16e mobile version of WiMax , HC-SDMA , and LTE. Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility in the United States and several worldwide carriers announced plans, beginning in 2009, to convert their networks to LTE but will not have it in place till 2012.

So as of today WiMax is your moble 4G used by Sprint, even though I have read article saying LTE will take over the 4G market as of today WiMax is the 4G cell phone network.  Plus a platform that comes in second in such a massive market will still be very successful.  This is just a little bit about 4G, you should read up on some of the 4G technologies and the ridiculous speeds they are said to provide.