New Telecoms Technology: WiMAX

Daniel Moore from http://iq.insight.com has kindly contributed the following blog post:


WiMAX?
Sounds like a cross between games console and a discount clothes store… Actually it’s no such thing. WiMAX is a new telecoms technology designed to provide wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways – from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular access.

In other words, it enables the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL.

Why WiMAX?
Simple really. Short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX is actually a term coined to describe standard, interoperable implementations of IEEE 802.16 wireless networks; similar to the way the term Wi-Fi is used for interoperable implementations of the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standard. However, WiMAX is very different from Wi-Fi in the way it works.

So what is different?
The biggest difference between WiMAX and its aging cousin Wi-Fi isn’t speed, but distance. WiMAX outdistances Wi-Fi by, literally, miles. Where Wi-Fi’s range is measured in metres (usually about 30); WiMAX can blanket a radius of 50 kilometres with wireless access. The increase in range is due to the frequencies used and the power of the transmitter. Of course, at such distances, factors like terrain, weather, and large buildings will act to reduce the maximum range in some circumstances, but the potential is there to cover huge tracts of land. WiMAX is also highly scalable from small remote stations to multi-sector ‘maxi’ scale bases that handle complex tasks.

But WiMAX and Wi-Fi sound so similar…
Thanks largely to the fact that they begin with the same two letters, that they are both based upon IEEE standards beginning with “802”, and that both have a connection to wireless connectivity and the Internet, comparisons and confusion between WiMAX and Wi-Fi are frequent. But the two standards are actually aimed at completely different applications. WiMAX is a long-range system to deliver a point-to-point connection to the Internet from an ISP to an end user.

Different 802.16 standards provide different types of access – from mobile devices such as laptops, PDAs, and mobile phones, to fixed points – as an alternative to wired access, where the end user’s wireless termination point is fixed in location.

WiMAX and Wi-Fi also have quite different Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms, with WiMAX using a mechanism based on setting up connections between the Base Station and the user device. Each connection is based on specific scheduling algorithms, which means that QoS parameters can be guaranteed for each flow.
How does it work?

WiMAX systems generally consist of two parts:
• A WiMAX tower – similar in concept to a mobile phone mast, a single WiMAX tower can provide coverage up to 8,000 square kilometres.
A WiMAX receiver – where the receiver and antenna could be

• a small box or PCMCIA card, or could be built into a laptop the way Wi-Fi access is today.

A WiMAX tower station can connect directly to the Internet using a high-bandwidth, wired connection. It can also connect to another WiMAX tower using what’s called a line-of-sight, microwave link. This connection to a second tower (sometimes referred to as a backhaul), along with the ability of a single tower to cover up to 8,000 square kilometres, is what allows WiMAX to provide coverage to remote rural areas.

There are two types of WiMAX service…
• The non-line-of-sight, Wi-Fi type service, where a small antenna on the computer connects to the tower. In this mode, WiMAX uses a lower frequency range of 2GHz to 11GHz which is similar to Wi-Fi. Lower-wavelength transmissions are not as easily disrupted by physical obstructions and they are better able to bend around obstacles.

•The line-of-sight service, where a fixed dish antenna points straight at the WiMAX tower from a rooftop or pole. The line-of-sight connection is stronger and more stable, so it’s able to send a lot of data with fewer errors. Line-of-sight transmissions use higher frequencies, with ranges reaching a possible 66GHz. At higher frequencies, there is less interference and lots more bandwidth.

Why do we need it?
In practical terms, WiMAX operates in a similar way to Wi-Fi but at higher speeds, over greater distances and for a greater number of users. As such it could potentially erase remaining suburban and rural blackout areas. The bandwidth and reach of WiMAX also make it suitable for connecting Wi-Fi hotspots and other points, and as an alternative source of connectivity from a business continuity point of view. i.e Separate fixed and wireless Internet connections, especially from unrelated providers, are unlikely to be affected by the same user vice outage.

Why else is it important?
The benefits largely speak for themselves from a commercial perspective, but WiMAX will also be useful in providing robust communications in emergency or terrorist situations, where it could be used as a back-up (or even primary) communications system, as it would be difficult to destroy with a single, pinpoint attack.

Here, a cluster of WiMAX transmitters is set up in range of a key command centre, but as far from one another as possible; each positioned in a bunker, or similar, hardened against bombs and / or other forms of attack. In this way, no single attack could destroy all the transmitters, so the command centre remains in communication at all times.

When are we getting it?
Intel is already WiMAX enabling its Centrino laptop processor range, which should go a long way toward making WiMAX a success.

Indeed, it is predicted that all new laptops will incorporate WiMAX by end of this year, which should see demand ramp further as the risk of deployment disappears and more and more companies therefore roll-out WiMAX-based connectivity across their organisations.


iQ.insight.com is Insight UK’s technology blog that opens up a world of fresh hot off the press updates from Insight and its Partners.

Stemming off from its quarterly magazine, iQ, it is dedicated to providing you with independent, educational and motivational content, enabling you to make informed IT decisions.

http://iq.insight.com

techmesh: York

David Riggall, a potential member of techmesh, has kindly sent us his account of techmesh: York on the 25th March.

The event was the third regional IT & Telecom collaboration event, focussing on experienced keynote speakers along with an opportunity to network with other sector professionals.

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Techmesh: York – 25/03/2010
By David Riggall - Partner at Rose & Bridge Associates – dedicated to making a difference – T: 01904 720334

Following the success of previous launch events in Leeds and Sheffield, the meeting last night at York University Science Park Innovation Centre was a definite win for delegates, speakers and techmesh, alike. The York event was held in association with IT and Digital York.

techmesh - supported by Yorkshire Forward, aims to become the largest and most focused IT and Telecoms business network organisation in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Gary Rowbotham, techmesh programme manager, introduced the agenda and explained the potential benefits of being a Techmesh member and / or associate. Current associates of techmesh include: Green Communications, Inter-vention, Lee & Priestley, Knowles Warwick and MFL Science & Technology.

The first speaker of the evening was Dan Croxen-John, from Applied Web Analytics, his presentation explained how extracting value from a web presence was an evolutionary process, best achieved from regular analysis and on-going assessment.

Ian Newall from Huthwaite International, the sales improvement training company, shared an insight into the benefits of Spin Selling and business application. Ian is offering all techmesh members a 15% discount on Huthwaites Spin Selling courses.

Finally, Marcus Robinson, the founder of MR-ICT, a York and Leeds based company offering outsourced ICT support, discussed how he intends to utilise his techmesh membership to benefit his business and shared his thoughts on the advantages of joining techmesh.

Overall the event was a great success with sufficient opportunities to network after listening to the speakers, all this including great food and wine! The focus is now on the next techmesh event in Hull on 29th April at Hull University Business School.

Come and meet up at techmesh:York

If you work in the IT and telecommunications sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber then we would love you to attend techmesh:York – a free networking event organised by techmesh.

Backed by Yorkshire Forward, techmesh is a new business network for the region’s fast-growing IT and telecommunications sector – the largest outside of London

Companies and professionals operating in the sector are being invited to attend the first techmesh: York event at the York Science Park on March 25th at 6:00pm.

For the York event, techmesh are teaming up with Science City York’s local sector network IT & Digital York. York Science Park has kindly sponsored the venue.

There will be a key note speech from Allan Dunn, Director of ioko, who will talk about ioko’s successes and the pitfalls of the industry.

ioko designs, builds and runs technology platforms for media and entertainment companies worldwide, delivered across broadcast, broadband and mobile networks to televisions, computers, mobile phones and other digital devices. ioko began business as a small venture, run by two University of York students, it grew rapidly to where they are now.

Gary Rowbotham, techmesh Programme Manager, said: "Collaboration and working together is the best way of driving the sector forward and techmesh: York allows those people working in North Yorkshire and beyond a chance to network, swop ideas and make business connections.
"We are also offering three, five-minute presentation slots and inviting attendees to discuss how they would like to partner and collaborate with others as well as give a short talk about their business and what services they can offer. All this and free drinks too.”

Heather Niven, IT & Digital Sector Specialist at Science City York, said: "The value of sector specific networks in promoting collaborative working has long been recognised. We’re particularly pleased to partner with techmesh for the York event to extend the reach and impact of local network activities across the region.”

There are a limited number of tickets available for techmesh:York and tickets are available by registering here or contact Events Coordinator Dawn Kelly on 0113 384 5641 or dawn@techmesh.org

techmesh launch event in Leeds

techmesh: Sheffield – another great event

We had another great techmesh event in Sheffield this week at the Workstation were more than 50 people attended to hear about BT’s plans for investment in fiber-based superfast broadband, reaching more than one million homes in the UK in 2010 and linking up more than 40 per cent of the population between 2011 and 2012.
Speaking at techmesh: Sheffield delegates from Yorkshire’s IT and telecommunications sector heard how BT plans to transform broadband access in the region and beyond.
Trevor Higgins, BT Partnership Director, and the telecom group’s ambassador for the region, said: "Superfast broadband access is already being trialed and proven in areas like Pudsey, Calder Valley and Halifax and we are seeking to role that out further over the next couple of years."
He told the audience: "The challenge to you as specialists in IT and telecommunications is to develop the applications and software that will benefit from superfast broadband. It will have a major impact on the region’s economy if you do."
He added that other areas already announced to receive optical fibre investment included Armley, Shipley, Low Moor, Castleford, Pontefract, Guiseley, Lofthouse Gate, Beauchief and Ranmoor
Further announcements of the next areas to receive fibre investment across Yorkshire and Humber would follow shortly.
Guests at the techmesh event also heard from techmesh member Peter Hopton, Managing Director of VeryPC, who used the techmesh members time slot at the event to inform the attendees about his UK’s leading environmentally-friendly desk top company.
Established in 2004 in Sheffield by several electronic engineer graduates from the University of Sheffield, VeryPC has pioneered “green” computing in the UK and is now a supplier to a wide range of public and private organisations globally having been endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust.
techmesh Project Manager, Gary Rowbotham, said: "The Sheffield event was the first of several we shall be holding around the region bringing together IT and telecommunications professionals where they can meet and build business connections and collaborate on projects."

Join us for techmesh:Sheffield

If you work in the IT and telecommunications sectors in Yorkshire and the Humber then we would love you to attend techmesh: Sheffield – a free networking event organised by techmesh.
Backed by Yorkshire Forward, techmesh is a new business network for the region’s fast-growing IT and telecommunications sector – the largest outside of London. 
The first event will be held in Sheffield on Tuesday, February 23 at 6.00 pm at the Showroom and Workstation, Paternoster Row.
There will be a key note speech from Trevor Higgins, BT Partnership Director, discussing superfast broadband in South Yorkshire.
Gary Rowbotham, techmesh Programmme Manager, said: "techmesh: Sheffield allows those working in the Yorkshire IT and telecommunications sectors to mingle, swop ideas and make business connections. This event is about encouraging collaboration and making new contacts.
"We are also offering  five x three minute presentation slots and inviting attendees to give a short talk about their business, what services they can offer and discuss how they would like to partner and collaborate with others. All this and free drinks too."
With IT and telecommunications set to make a major contribution to the Yorkshire and Humber economy the new business network, techmesh, will provide a business network for companies, organisations and individuals working in these sectors to meet, exchange information and share best practice.
techmesh will run a series of events across the region over the next 12 months bringing members together at informal networking events as well as larger events bringing some major speakers from the leading IT and telecommunications companies.
There a limited number of tickets available for techmesh: Sheffield and tickets are available through the techmesh website at techmesh.org or contact Events Coordinator Dawn Kelly on 0113 384 5641 or dawn@techmesh.org

Interesting reading on Digital region

The Digital Communications KTN, in cooperation with Digital 20/20, have produced a report following an event held in Sheffield at Electric Works on December 1, 2009 writes Emma Frost on the Digital Yorkshire blog.
Two keynote presentations were delivered, one around new developments in telecommunications and online technologies and one describing the Digital Region (South Yorkshire’s new state-of-the-art fibre-optic network).
These presentations were then followed by workshops to allow attendees to discuss particular themes, generate new ideas and identify how the capacity of Digital Region and other superfast broadband networks might be used. The attendees could choose from four workshops on the topics 'IT & Network Services'; 'Digital Content'; 'Learning & Education'; and 'Healthcare & the Smart Home'.
Emma has uploaded the full report as a PDF for you to view. Over 60 people attended the event on the day and I think the report makes an interesting read.