1.2 Fixed Broadband Wireless: Market Drivers and Applications
Applications using a fixed wireless solution can be classified as point-to-point or point-to-multipoint. Point-to-point applications include interbuilding connectivity within a campus and microwave backhaul. Point-to-multipoint applications include (1) broadband for residential, small office/home office (SOHO), and small- to medium-enterprise (SME) markets, (2) T1 or fractional T1-like services to businesses, and (3) wireless backhaul for Wi-Fi hotspots. Figure 1.2 illustrates the various point-to-multipoint applications.
Consumer and small-business broadband: Clearly, one of the largest applications of WiMAX in the near future is likely to be broadband access for residential, SOHO, and SME markets. Broadband services provided using fixed WiMAX could include high-speed Internet access, telephony services using voice over IP, and a host of other Internet-based applications. Fixed wireless offers several advantages over traditional wired solutions. These advantages include lower entry and deployment costs; faster and easier deployment and revenue realization; ability to build out the network as needed; lower operational costs for network maintenance, management, and operation; and independence from the incumbent carriers.
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