We all love WiFi networking (look for an upcoming review of some wireless hardware). It has allowed us to use our notebook, and even our handhelds on the internet without being connected with a wire. But the real weakness of WiFi has been range. A few hundred feet away from even a really good router, and the signal is weak which means slow speeds, and dropped connections.
The next generation of wireless networking is addressing the range issue in a big way. We’re talking miles here of broadband thoroughput. This is the latest 802.16e, or WiMax standard, just approved by those excellent engineers over at the IEEE. This could give traditional broadband, provided by cable and phone companies, quite a run for their money. And offerings like Cingular Edge, with their high prices, will fade away.
The catch? You won’t see any of the products until late 2007, or more likely 2008. In my opinion, unlike a lot of other overhyped technologies, this one will be worth the wait.
From Popular Technology.