Are You Ready For WiMAX?

One of the struggles VARs and end users face when choosing wireless computing solutions is selecting among the various wireless transmission standards that are available. In the past, the choices were limited to the wireless offerings provided by the major telecommunications companies. The trade-offs among different providers and their technologies weren't that clear either. "GSM [global system for mobile technology] networks and GPRS [general packet radio service] networks offer different benefits from CDMA [code division multiple access] networks, for example," says Chuck Bolvin, VP of technology for wireless distributor WAV Inc. (Aurora, IL). "Some users choose CDMA for its speed [up to 2 Mbps in its latest CDMA 2000 version]; others select GSM or GPRS, which enable the coexistence of voice and data on the same wireless network." But, for companies that need the combination of high throughput and the ability to run data, voice, and video over the same network, the options have been limited to a couple expensive options -- until recently. A wireless industry coalition called WiMAX plans to do for 802.16, the IEEE's (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standard for wireless last mile technology, what the Wi-Fi alliance has done for 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN) technology. Even though the fruit of WiMAX' efforts won't be fully realized until 2006, VARs would be wise to prepare now for this new standard in wireless last mile technology.

WiMAX Covers Fixed, Indoor, Mobile Broadband Wireless
Before discussing WiMAX, it is important to first understand broadband. The most important thing to know about broadband is that it is a transmission facility that can simultaneously carry multiple voice, data, and video channels. The most common broadband media are cable and DSL (digital subscriber line). However, because they rely on wires, they don't address the needs of the mobile workforce, which by some analysts' measures account for more than a third of today's workers.

This is where the 802.16 standard and WiMAX come in. 802.16 focuses on the efficient use of bandwidth within the 10 to 66 GHz range. This standard has the potential to deliver 75 Mbps of broadband throughput to thousands of users over a distance of 30 miles from a single base station. "Broadband wireless VARs and end users will come to know the 802.16 standard by the name of the organization that developed it, much in the same way that 802.11 is known as Wi-Fi," says Phil Golden, product manager for wireless distributor Winncom Technology (Solon, OH).

The question on everyone's minds, however, is: When will WiMAX technology be available? The answer is that it will be rolled out in a phased approach. The first phase, which is expected to happen at the beginning of 2005, will focus on fixed wireless. Using technology such as free space optics, fixed wireless is a line-of-sight technology that uses an outdoor antenna and transmitter to send and receive broadband information.

By the end of 2005, WiMAX' second phase, which will focus on indoor wireless, is expected to be underway. This phase will resemble the installation of traditional 802.11 access points; however, the WiMAX access points will offer more bandwidth, faster throughput, and greater transmission distances than 802.11g's 54 Mbps throughput at up to 300 feet.

Phase three of the WiMAX rollout, which will focus on mobile wireless computing, is expected to happen sometime in 2006. It is at this stage that we could begin seeing laptops and other mobile computing devices integrated with WiMAX chips and antennas, allowing mobile workers to send and receive high-bandwidth files such as schematics, videos, and multimedia presentations in real time over a wireless broadband connection.

VARs: WiMAX Opportunities Are Now
You may think that because WiMAX' advancement of the 802.16 standard won't happen for another year or so, there won't be much opportunity for WiMAX-based deployments for at least a year or two. That's not true for a couple of reasons. First, end users are looking to deploy solutions that are future proof. They don't want to invest a lot of money in solutions that will be obsolete after WiMAX-compatible products hit the market. Second, vendors are paying attention to WiMAX, and many are building their wireless products with 802.16 in mind. In fact, according to the WiMAX forum, its members, which are primarily wireless vendors, comprise more than 75% of the present 2 to 11 GHz broadband wireless access equipment sales.

VARs can use their knowledge about the coming WiMAX standard to their advantage in selling wireless broadband solutions. End users will be looking for experts who know where the future of wireless technology is heading and can suggest products that help them keep up with the wireless times.

WiMAX Will Create Demand For Site Surveys, Wireless Security
Having a standard that everyone uses can be both good and bad. The good part is that prices drop as more vendors build products based on the standard and compete for market share. The potentially bad part -- especially in the case with wireless technology -- is that the spectrum can become crowded, causing interference and security issues. "VARs should consider site surveys and spectrum analysis as fee-based service opportunities, not just as part of the RFQ [request for quote] process," says Golden.

Wireless distributor Electro-comm Distributing's (Denver) president, Mike Brownson, agrees with this and adds, "Savvy VARs know how to look for interference sources prior to deploying a wireless system. A careless VAR, on the other hand, can install a wireless system that causes problems for the VAR's customer and also for other companies deploying wireless solutions." It's important for VARs to take into consideration such factors as weather patterns, potential wireless obstacles, and wireless antenna location in the case of fixed wireless installations. In the case of mobile wireless installations, VARs need to consider where the mobile employees will be using the solution, and they must also check for competing signals. Some VARs handle the issue of competing frequencies by deploying frequency-hopping solutions. According to Brownson, however, newer techniques such as DFS (dynamic frequency selection) are preferable. "DFS enables end users to switch to a different frequency automatically if interference occurs," he says. "The radio readjusts its channel as needed to avoid interference. It is far more reliable than frequency hopping and in a whole different league."

Another option VARs should consider is including multiple radios within a mobile computing device. Bob Hagerman, wireless distributor TESSCO Technologies' (Hunt Valley, MD) category manager, says, "Just as the 2.4 GHz spectrum is becoming saturated today, VARs should keep in mind licensed band products for their customers who need reliable and secure wireless communications."

Unlicensed wireless communications, such as those used by the 802.16 standard, create potential security risks that VARs need to take into account. "It's a good idea to think about device security and network security," says Bolvin. "The use of encrypted connections such as VPNs [virtual private networks] is a smart move, especially for customers exchanging sensitive data such as medical information or customer Social Security numbers."

There is no doubt that the future of wireless technology is headed toward a greater adoption of wireless broadband access. WiMAX will play a big role in creating the technology platform that makes concepts such as VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) over wireless a reality. It will be up to VARs to make sure their customers who adopt this technology are protected from interference as well as from other network vulnerabilities.