A family of IEEE standards for wireless broadband access (BWA). Approved in 2002, and also known as "WiMAX," 802.16 provides up to 70 Mbps of shared point-to-multipoint transmission in the 10 to 66 GHz frequency bands as far as 37 miles.
Last Mile and Networks
802.16 was designed to bring wireless broadband connectivity into buildings from an ISP or other carrier, offering an alternative to wired T1 and DSL lines in the last mile. It can also be used to provide high-speed connectivity between Wi-Fi networks across large campuses as well as create a "wireless metropolitan access network" (WMAN) throughout a city, suburb or region.
802.16-2004 - Fixed WiMAX
Using the 2 to 11 GHz frequencies which can penetrate walls and other dense objects, 802.16-2004 provides transmission to stationary devices and replaces prior 802.16 and 802.16a specifications. Higher frequencies require line of sight. 802.16-2004 was previously 802.16d.
802.16e - Mobile WiMAX
802.16e is an extension of 802.16-2004 for mobile use in the 2 to 6 GHz band. It allows people to communicate while walking or riding in cars and provides a mobile voice over IP (VoIP) and higher-speed data alternative to the cellular networks (GSM, TDMA, CDMA). See 802.20.
WiMAX Certification
The WiMAX Forum www.wimaxforum.org) promotes the 802.16 standards and provides interoperability certification. See Xohm, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, WiBro and 802.11.
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