In the Ser Digital section of previous issues of TV and Video, the standard of 802.11 wireless communications in all its flavors and explained what its benefits were and its disadvantages for who require streaming video over public networks.
Some of the main problems presented by this commonly known standard such as Wi-Fi, a name that has recently invaded hotels, bars, airports and service stations, among other points similar are its low bandwidth, ease of signal interference (since it works in a saturated frequency) and the low security it provides.
To counteract these complications and offer a good alternative, more in line with the needs of those who need to download or distribute multimedia materials, the 802.16a standard was created, a new standard Recently approved wireless and named after WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, universal interoperability for microwave access).
To generate this standard, 67 top-of-the-line technology companies, including Highlights Intel one of the main drivers of this project, they founded the WiMax Forum. The idea of the new the norm is to increase the bandwidth and scope provided by the Wi-Fi family.
The 802.11 standard was born originally to provide wireless internet to offices, meeting points or small areas, with 11 mbps (megabits per second) transfer rate and a range of 350 meters with respect to the base station, i.e. the specific hardware with which the equipment must be connected to have a signal.
WiMax, on the other hand, provides transfer reaching 70 mbps and coverage can reach up to 50 kilometers away. In addition, it has many improvements regarding the security of transmitted content by Wi-Fi. All these reasons allow the providers of internet services have the possibility to offer services directly to professional studios at low cost (the assembly of the wireless network is faster and cheaper, because there is no need to draw a wiring) and with good performance.
Stream wirelessly
WiMax also opens a good option to those who need
make live broadcasts from outside and they want to do it
at a low cost. Or for those who need to make some
broadcast from rural, remote or low-availability sites
of means, where the satellite can be very expensive.
While they are not yet in the Market, many advertisers of digital cameras contemplate the norm in its next releases. Also, various service providers expect technology to mature for launch their WiMax zones, particularly in areas isolated from the major cities, where wiring is more complicated than develop.
When these two situations are make them a reality (something intel itself intends to start by the end of this year), costs will have to be assessed very seriously real of this technology and start applying it in specific cases like those mentioned.
Iberbanda, to cite an example, is a Spanish service provider that is already testing the technology, hand in hand with Intel, to favor services such as voice over IP and television on demand.
In any case, it is worth clarifying that, except for these isolated efforts and tests carried out in different points in the world (very few in Latin America, where Wi-Fi just taking its first steps), WiMax is still a promise. But a firm promise, not one of those left up in the air. Ironically.
