The 802.16 standard covers frequency bands in the range between 2 GHz and 11 GHz and specifies a metropolitan area networking protocol that will enable a wireless alternative for cable, DSL and T1 level services for last mile broadband access, as well as providing backhaul for 801.11 hotspots.
The new 802.16a standard specifies a protocol that among other things supports low latency applications such as voice and video, provides broadband connectivity without requiring a direct line of sight between subscriber terminals and the base station (BTS) and will support hundreds if not thousands of subscribers from a single BTS.
The standard will help accelerate the introduction of wireless broadband equipment into the marketplace, speeding up last-mile broadband deployment worldwide by enabling service providers to increase system performance and reliability while reducing their equipment costs and investment risks.
By Ravi Kodavarti, Texas Instruments Fixed/mobile convergence (FMC) is a hot topic in today’s unified communications discussion. The industry’s perception of what FMC is and what it will become has changed as technologies have evolved and user wants have shifted. Ultimately, service providers will have to decide which model to deploy and they will no doubt base their support of...
