Disadvantages of WiMAX technology.

I will tell you something about disadvantages of WiMAX technology. Common misconception is that the WiMAX can offer 70 Mbps in range of 70 miles (113 kilometers) with moving stations. In practice situation is a very different. It is true only in ideal circumstances with only one recipient.

With line-of-site (optical visibility), you could have speed of 10 Mbps at 10 kilometers. In the urban environment (without the optical visibility) users can have 10 Mbps at 2 kilometers. If users are moving, speed can drop significantly.

Bandwidth is shared among users in a given radio sector. If there are many users in one sector, they will have lower speed. Users could have 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 Mbps of the shared bandwidth.

The biggest disadvantage of WiMAX is still much bigger installation coast and also operational coast.

So lets put on paper WiMAX advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages :

1) Single station can serve hundreds of users.

2) Much faster deployment of new users comparing to wired networks.

3) Speed of 10 Mbps at 10 kilometers with line-of-site.

4) It is standardized, and same frequency equipment should work together.

Disadvantages :

1) Line of site is needed for longer connections

2) Weather conditions like rain could interrupt the signal.

3) 0ther wireless equipment could cause interference.

4) Multiplied frequencies are used.

5) WiMAX is very power intensive technology and requires strong electrical support.

6) Big installation and operational coast.

Great book about wireless security that covers WiMAX also - Security in Wireless LANs and MANs. After explaining security threats of deployment WLAN and WMAN (WiMAX), this book offers practical insight into identifying and overcoming these security threats.