Chris Leckness

Samsung is introducing its SECOND GEN phones that support WiMax, and we don't even have a first generation.  We want that "nomadic connectivity" that will allow us to have WiFi hotspots all connected, so we can have faster internet everywhere.

So where is it, besides being in Korea?  Sprint announced in 2006 that they were investing $5 Billion into a project.  But as of 11/9/07, the project was shelved. 

What's wrong with WiFi you ask?  WiFi is a short range system that typically works over 100's of yards, whereas WiMax is long range.  It can supply a signal from the ISP to the end user.  This statement from the WiMax Wiki sums it up well, "If WiMAX provides services analogous to a cellphone, Wi-Fi is more analogous to a cordless phone."

Why is the US so backwards?  We have become the backwoods of technology.  We are getting passed by third world countries.  Or have we become a third world country?

Read more at Gizmodo

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JimpsEd

Korea don't have WiMax, they have WiBro - seven year technology to them, but it does the same. Also ,AT&T tests show that the "70km" range of WiMax turns out in practice to be ~ 3km.

WiMax will never become the replacement for GSM outside of cities - that is why it is referred to as a metropolitan coverage standard.

Quote:

Why is the US so backwards? We have become the backwoods of technology. We are getting passed by third world countries. Or have we become a third world country?

While the US is backward respect to 3G and HS_CDA, WiMax is not yet a matured standard, so Samsung are fairly silly to have produced a 'WiMax' phone (which will probably only be sold in Korea, and use only the WiBro network).

stevenator65

WiBro (Wireless Broadband) is a wireless broadband Internet technology being developed by the South Korean telecoms industry. WiBro is the South Korean service name for IEEE 802.16e (mobile WiMAX) international standard.

Perhaps Samsung isn't so silly:
Some Telcos in many countries are trying to commercialize this Mobile WiMAX (or WiBro). For example, TI (Italia), TVA (Brazil), Omnivision (Venezuela), PORTUS (Croatia), and Arialink (Michigan) will provide commercial service after test service around 2006-2007.

JimpsEd

AT&T was the first ISP to test WiMax, and the tests failed - instead of said 70KM range, they found up to 3KM. Instead of 80Mbps, they found at the very most 2Mbps.

stevenator65

Thanks for the feedback and info jimpsed! Good stuff.