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WiFi is the 802.11 wireless standard used for localized connections, limited to around 300 feet. WiMAX is the 802.16 standard with a range of up to 2,800 square miles, while WiBro is similar to WiMAX but can track a receiver as it moves.
While almost any type of wireless network may seem confusing, there are a few simple things to keep in mind about the difference between wireless standards known as WiFi®, WiMAX, and WiBro. Each is similar in that it provides a way to connect to a wireless network for workstation communication or Internet access. Each technology can also be seen as an improvement over the previous one.
WiFi®, which stands for wireless fidelity, is known as the 802.11 wireless standard. There are numerous subseries such as 802.11(a)(b) or (g). Successive generations of this technology have increased speed and range. Its most common use is to provide wireless Internet to notebook computer users. Even with the advances in WiFi®, however, there are a number of limitations.
WiFi® has some inherent disadvantages. For example, while WiFi® may work well in localized locations, the routers used for the connections don’t have huge range. In most cases, 300 feet (about 100 meters) is about the limit of the technology. Therefore, for larger networks and wireless connectivity, another standard was needed. These limitations are one reason why municipal wireless networks have largely failed.
WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a different standard known as 802.16. It only allows a limited number of users on the standard and will therefore drop any additional users who try to use the connection. This is different from WiFi®, which will, in theory, allow an unlimited number of users, which will in turn bog down the system. Despite this, the biggest difference is range. For non-line-of-sight, the range is 25 square miles (65 square kilometers). For the line of sight between the transmitting point and the receiving antenna, the range goes up to 2,800 square miles (9,300 square kilometers).
WiBro, which stands for Wireless Broadband, is very similar to WiMAX. The baud rates are pretty much the same, but the main difference is that WiBro can track a receiver as it moves from place to place. It can also be called mobile WiMAX. It’s not truly mobile in the sense that it can be used effectively while the receiver is moving at high speed. Rather, it simply means that the receiver can move from place to place and experience no degradation in service, as long as the receiver stays within range. WiMAX doesn’t offer this because it needs a fixed antenna to receive a signal.
One thing to keep in mind about WiBro is that it is still under development. As it improves, there may come a time when the receivers will be able to maintain connections even during high-speed travel. In these cases, it may require a completely different standard with a completely different name.
