Comments on: White Spaces Device Could Combine WiMAX and Wi-Fi

By: Wifi technology

Wifi technology — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:45:11 +0000

802.22 (WRAN) is wireless regional area network. It can best work when it is deployed within just certain region, where Wimax (802.16) and WiFi(802.11) can not be feasible to be deployed.

By: Jesse Kopelman

Jesse Kopelman — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:31:03 +0000

@Marco

I would imagine 802.22 will be subsumed into 802.16, much the same way 802.20 was. 802.16 is already a very flexible framwork that allows for just about any radio techniques one might imagine. There is no profit in having competing standards, when the goal is commodity priced hardware. If 802.22 does persist, it will be because of the long term desire for truly cognitive radio -- but that is a technology that has always remained just over the horizon and I don't see this changing in a 5 year time frame.

By: Marco

Marco — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:32:02 +0000

so what about IEEE 802.22 standard? who will develop devices with this standard for these applications instead of using wifi or wimax devices?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:07:28 +0000

We already have the afore referenced situation with multiple examples in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.3 GHz frequency spectrums. Cordless phones, WiFi, and microwave ovens all operate in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Not perfect, but sure is convenient and inexpensive. Licensed does not mean no interference. Probably will require reducing the signal strength and focusing on smaller campus regions to be effective.

the way, the FCC has some pretty stringent rules about jumping in and interfering. Usually carriers take great care not to interfere, because that goes both ways ... and nobody will pay low cost wireless anything for something they cannot use.

4G is about 65% cheaper to deploy, 50% more coverage, and has great data handling capabilities. 3G was voice centric and cannot compete. Major carriers (AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, etc. have not yet amortized their investments in analog, 1X, and EVDO yet. Now comes WiMAX and my personal opinion is Craig McCaw and Sprint will kick their you know whats (if they launch WiMAX successfully).

Just my 2 cents worth.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:33:37 +0000

"Because the spectrum is unlicensed, a network operator could offer the broadband service at cheaper rates than current data plans from wireless carriers."

I don't really see it happening like this. TANSTAAFL.

To illustrate, look at two extremes.

1) There are unforeseen problems and this doesn't take off. Then, so what? 2) It ends up being great spectrum and a great protocol and LowCostWireless jumps in with cheap prices that drive up market share. MeTooWireless wants a piece of the profit and jumps in -- since there is no licensing the two carriers interfere. MeThree, MeFour, and MeHoweverMany join in until the interference gets to an unacceptable level. Then, customers are willing to pay more for a network that works reliably (its licensed).