ABSTRACT
The fixed/portable broadband wireless access is becoming a necessity for many residential and business subscribers worldwide. The demand is exploding as the pricing of broadband services is rapidly decreasing. The worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology is an integral part of the portfolio by complementing 2G/3G mobile access, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband fixed access, and Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) hotspot access. In this chapter, an extended overview of WiMAX and its applications in higher generation wireless networks as a cost-effective solution to answering the challenges posed by the digital divide is presented. Technology behindWiMAX and its network architecture, design, and deployment are examined in addition
to factors that impact WiMAX planning and performance. A WiMAX radio coverage simulation and analysis at different frequency bands for different demographic is presented. Furthermore, the WiMAX business models and a comparison with two enhanced third-generation (3G) technologies that are potential competitors to WiMAX are explored. The chapter concludes with identification of some of the applications, benefits, and drawbacks of WiMAX mobile networks.
