Possibly due to the fact both WiMAX and Wi-Fi are based upon IEEE standards beginning with

802. and both have a connection to wireless connection technology, comparisons between the two are frequent. Despite this, both standards are aimed at different applications. WiMAX is a long range system, covering many kilometers, that uses licensed or unlicensed spectrum to deliver a pointto-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user. Different 802.16 standards provide different types of access, from mobile (analogous to access via a cellphone) to fixed (an alternative to wired access, where the end users wireless termination point is fixed in location.) Wi-Fi is a shorter range system, typically hundreds of meters, that uses unlicensed spectrum to provide access to a network, typically covering only the network operators own property. Typically Wi-Fi is used by an end user to access their own network, which may or may not be connected to the Internet. If WiMAX provides services analogous to a cellphone, WiFi is more analogous to a cordless phone.

5. What are the differences and similarities between Wi-Fi and WiMAX?
Wi-Fi and WiMAX were developed for different markets and different applications. The technologies can complement each other with WiMAX to the building and Wi-Fi in the building. WiMAX can also be used to replace or supplement copper or cable. Developing countries stand to benefit from WiMAX's lower infrastructure cost. Main WiMAX Applications 1)Dedicated point-to-point fixed service using outdoor antennas to deliver rates of up to 100 Mbps. Many such networks have been deployed based on the original 802.16 Standard using frequencies between 10 66 GHz. These systems require line-of-sight (LOS) and are typically used for corporate data networks networks or backhaul of cellular traffic; 2)Point-to-multi-point service provided by networks based on the 802.16a 2003 or the 802.16d 2004 Standards using frequencies between 2 - 11 GHz in non-line-of-sight applications. This service can used to deliver wireless DSL at speeds comparable to fixed DSL (or cable) i.e. 512 Kbps to 2-3 Mbps. The key to this application is the availability of inexpensive non-line-of-sight (NLOS) customer premises equipment (CPE) that can be self-installed; 3)Mobile/nomadic applications using the 802.16e mobile WiMAX Standard at frequencies below 6 GHz. This application is in direct competition with the data services provided by the 2G/3G cellular network operators. Consumers want broadband Internet connectivity. The WiMAX network is optimized for IP connectivity and should be able to provide a better service at a lower cost. WiMAX networks can deliver good VOIP quality and if this service becomes popular it will threaten the core voice business of cellular network operators.

Main Characteristics of Wi-Fi 1)Wi-Fi is designed as a wireless extension to local area networks (LAN) for indoor use with a range up to 100m; 2)Wi-Fi was developed as consumer product. There may be interference due to widespread deployment of Wi-Fi but the limited range of the Wi-Fi equipment alleviates this problem; 3)Wi-Fi operates exclusively in the Industrial Scientific Medical (ISM) bands (2.4 GHZ and 5.8 GHZ) and in almost all countries a license is not required. One reason for the success of Wi-Fi was the use initially of 2.4 GHz band worldwide with later standards adding the 5.8 GHz band. Main Characteristics of WiMAX 1)WiMAX was originally designed to provide fixed BWA in metropolitan area networks (MAN) with a range of up to 50 km. Extensions of the WiMAX standard now provide for mobile applications with a range of up to 6 km; 2)WiMAX was developed as a commercial product for use by network operators. In the licensed bands there will be few operators and the interference environment can be controlled; 3)WiMAX can operate over a wide range of frequencies including both licensed and unlicensed bands. Due to its longer range, it makes more sense for most applications to operate in licensed bands;

Wimax Vs WiFi - Comparison of Wimax and WiFi WiMAX vs WiFi

Wimax technology is a standard based wireless technology which is used to provide internet access and multimedia services at very high speed to the end user. The Wifi technology is still using local area network (LAN) for the predictable future. Wimax and wifi differences are very simple as below.

The basic difference between Wimax technology and Wifi technology are cost, speed, distance and so on. Wimax coverage is about 30 miles and Wifi coverage is very limited to some small area. Wimax network just as an ISP without any cable because Wimax singnal used to get access to internet to your home or business, while Wifi will be used inside in your local area network (LAN) for access to the internet.

The Wimax architecture is design to make possible metropolitan area networking (MAN). The base station of Wimax capable to provide access to business and hundred of homes, While Wifi is providing only local area networking (LAN).

The deployments of Wimax and Wifi network are same both ISP would have their T3 access. The line of sight antennas used to connect tower in Wimax technology. The tower shared out the non line of sight to MAN.

The line of sight antennas for Wimax network operate at 60 MHz frequency while the tower having non line of sight operate on a range just like the WiFi. The base or tower station of Wimax will beam a signal to receiver of Wimax. Similarly Wifi access point transport signal to the receiving device. Wimax network providing QoS (Quality of Service) therefore a large number of people get access to tower at the same time. The built in algorithm automatically transfer the user to other tower or cell of Wimax station. Unlike Wifi user have to sort of fight to stay on connected with a specified access point.

The most significant issue of Wimax and WiFi difference is pricing because Wimax is a high cost network, while Wifi is a low cost network therefore mostly people adopt WiFi network due to less expenditure and avoid Wimax due to expensive installations.

WiMax will not put out of place WiFi in the home because WiFi is much better in speed and technology. With the passage of time new improvement brings a new variant in 802.11.Wimax offering high speed but if a client exists away from tower or base station speed could decreases.

Wimax offer high speed internet as a broadband access which transfer data, voice, video at very high speed. While WiFi offer short range of data transfer because WiFi can connect only in specified areas so only file sharing may possible.

Wimax design for long range distance in licensed spectrum or unlicensed spectrum. Wimax support point to point or point to multipoint connection. Multiple standard of wimax such as 802.16e, 802.16b for mobile connectivity from fixed location. While WiFi offer quality services to fixed Ethernet where packets are precedence on their tag. Hotspots of WiFi are usually backhauled over ADSL in small business, caf etc therefore to get access is normally highly challenging. The uploading speed of wifi as compared to Wimax also very low rate among internet and router.

Wimax network execute a connection oriented MAC while Wifi runs on the CSMA/CA protocol, which is wireless and strife based.

On the whole Wimax technology becoming popular day by day but WiFi technology has there own useful features. Wimax technology can be predictable to be one of the most extensively used wireless internet access technology in the future.