Telecommunications and Networks - Principles of Information Systems - page 235

to provide WiMAX-capable PC cards, gaming devices, laptops, cameras, and even phones.
Sprint also plans to implement a business model much different from the typical cellular
model. Sprint's strategy is to allow any WiMAX-compliant device to run on its network.
Users will be able to buy such devices at a variety of retail stores and will not be required to
sign a contract with Sprint to use the network. 25
Several countries are actively rolling out WiMAX networks. Aircel Business Solutions,
one of the largest telecom groups in India, has completed a WiMAX network that covers 44
cities in India. 26 SB Broadband in Sweden is building a WiMAX network to cover nine cities
in southwest Sweden. The Telmex WiMAX network in Chile covers 98 percent of the pop-
ulation. The general manager of Telmex, Eduardo Diaz Corona, stated, “We all know that
in the world today, being connected [to the Internet] is not a luxury but a need. The tech-
nology is no longer for the privileged few.” 27
Most telecommunications experts agree that WiMAX is an attractive option for devel-
oping countries with little or no wireless telephone infrastructure. However, it is not clear
whether WiMAX will be as successful in developed countries such as the United States, where
regular broadband is plentiful and cheap and 3G wireless networks already cover most major
metropolitan areas.
WiMAX is a key component of Intel's broadband wireless strategy to deliver innovative
mobile platforms for “anytime, anywhere” Internet access. Intel has placed a large bet on the
success of WiMAX and hopes to have 1.3 billion people using WiMAX to connect to the
Internet by 2012. 28 Higher-end notebook computers will have WiMAX technology that uses
a chip called Rosedale. WiMAX cards that plug into a slot in the computer will also be
available. 29

Future Wireless Communications Developments
In 1997, Congress enacted a law requiring that U.S. television stations move to all-digital
broadcasts and abandon the analog spectrum available for analog signals in the 700 MHz
frequency band used to carry UHF stations 52 to 69. A digital signal represents bits, whereas
an analog signal is a variable signal continuous in both time and amplitude so that any small
fluctuations in the signal are meaningful. In 2006, the government set a deadline of February
18, 2009 for all stations to cease analog broadcasting. 30 This shift to digital broadcasting
might have a long-term benefit to the public as it frees up portions of the 700 MHz frequency
band so it can be reallocated for other purposes.
At the 700 MHz frequency, signals travel about four times farther than the signals at the
higher frequencies used by Wi-Fi and WiMAX. Also, the lower frequency penetrates walls
more effectively. Thus, it is hoped that the reuse of this spectrum by wireless communications
providers will enable easier and less expensive deployment of broadband wireless networks,
resulting in newer, less expensive, and more widespread high-speed networks for businesses
and consumers. 31 A portion of the 700 MHz spectrum is set aside for use by public safety
agencies such as police and fire departments. 32 Communications problems during the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. and later disasters such as Hurricane Katrina
illustrated the need for a national voice and data network for public safety agencies.
In another interesting development, Google formed a 34-member alliance consisting of
hardware, software, and telecommunications companies to develop Android, a software
development platform for mobile phones based on the Linux operating system that will likely
compete with Apple's popular iPhone, 33 a combination mobile phone, widescreen iPod, and
Internet access device to support e-mail and Web browsing. The iPhone can connect to the
Internet either via Wi-Fi or AT&T's Edge data network (considered to be a 2.5G network,
not quite as fast as a 3G network).

digital signal
A signal that represents bits.

analog signal
A variable signal continuous in both
time and amplitude so that any
small fluctuations in the signal are
meaningful.