Will I have WiMAX service on my Cell Phone?
Eventually, the answer is yes. Initially, one can expect to see Wi-Fi
services converged with cellular devices. The first GSM/WiMAX device was
recently introduced into Russia. This device operates on the carrier's
WiMAX system when on its network and roams to GSM on other carrier's systems.
This early foray will teach both the fixed and mobile wireless industries a
great deal about technological co-existence. In the US, T-Mobile began
trials of a cellular/Wi-Fi fixed-mobile convergence handset in the Pacific
Northwest. A number of other firms have dual-mode phones in the
marketplace, however, adoption has been slow. T-Mobile is using a Nokia
handset. Reference designs for PC-Card form factor WiMAX cards are already
in the marketplace from a number of different firms. The short answer is
that WiMAX on your phone is just around the corner.
The long term vision for broadband wireless utilizing WiMAX is clearly one of
multiple technologies that fill different niches in the service delivery
universe. Clearly, mobile voice products are mature, well-realized,
profitable and stable. The truly mobile variant of mobile WiMAX will
likely be the most technically difficult to achieve and may require the next
version of the technology to reach really high speed access. Of course,
the equivalent fixed broadband wireless products are also enjoying innovation
and already outstrip the speeds of planned mobile technology. But as
products like VoIP gain acceptance, the ability to utilize a fixed network while
stationary and eventually a truly mobile broadband network (with somewhat
different capabilities) will drive WiMAX/Cellular/and other technology
convergences to the handheld cell phone. In fact, this may happen much
faster than previously anticipated, at least in terms of WiMAX and existing
cellular technologies or LTE and existing cellular technologies. In the
long run, WiMAX and other wireless technologies offer unprecedented flexibility
to consumers.
