| If you've been researching new Internet access | | | | form one company and expect to use another |
| technology at all, you've probably come across | | | | company's signals all the time. However, the |
| the term WiMax. You may have heard that it | | | | interoperability means that you can buy one piece |
| gives faster, better, and more reliable Internet | | | | of equipment for your laptop or your home's |
| connections for both the home and the mobile | | | | wireless router and that you can also use multiple |
| community, but you might have absolutely no idea | | | | types of connections with the same equipment. |
| what WiMax actually means. Well, here is some | | | | When you buy newer 4G Internet technology, for |
| information that can help you sort out all of the | | | | instance, you can sometimes also be set up to |
| terminology so that you'll be equipped to make | | | | use 3G networks, which are slower but much |
| the best Internet access choices for you and | | | | more widespread. |
| your family's needs. | | | | One of the reasons that WiMax was created was |
| First off, WiMax stands for Worldwide | | | | that it can act as an Internet solution for people |
| Interoperability for Microwave Access. Sounds like | | | | who can't get cable and DSL Internet. Sometimes |
| complete gibberish, right? Well, it pretty much will | | | | in areas with a very low population density, it isn't |
| unless you're a techie. All that means is that this | | | | prudent for a cable or DSL company to run lines |
| type of up and coming technology is coded so | | | | out to all of the homes in the area, since they are |
| that it can be used all over the world. Unlike some | | | | so spread out. These are known as the "last mile" |
| things which are specific to certain regions or | | | | homes. Until now, they have had to get Internet |
| countries, WiMax is going to be essentially the | | | | access either through slow dial-up versions or |
| same wherever you go. Another thing that this | | | | through expensive satellite connections. Now, |
| means is that this technology can provide home | | | | though, WiMax has enabled these customers to |
| access through a wire as well as mobile access | | | | get Internet access that is very nearly as fast as |
| that can follow you pretty much anywhere. This | | | | the fastest broadband connection a city dweller |
| is the latest technology in Internet connections, | | | | can get. |
| and here is what it can do better than other | | | | Another reason that WiMax has developed is that |
| types of connection. | | | | it gives many businesses a way to continue even |
| One of the great things about WiMax is that | | | | if one of their Internet services goes out. |
| some of its equipment is interoperable, which | | | | Basically, many businesses have a wired plan with |
| means that it can connect to different networks | | | | one company and a WiMax wireless plan with |
| that use WiMax access. Of course, you have to | | | | another company. Then, if either of the |
| actually have passwords and codes to get into | | | | companies has a temporary outage, the business |
| the Internet, so you can't just buy WiMax service | | | | can still continue on its other Internet access. |