No it doesn't, if the network operator wants to get paid for the service! They have to have the exact same infrastructure as the Telcos, including a subscriber database, subscriber ID authentication, billing system, base stations, sites they rent, backhaul links, handoff, roaming agreements etc The only difference between Wimax and cellular is that it is a different and unproven over-ther-air waveform, which gives more bits per second (theoretically, downhill with the wind behind you, overhead not included) at the expense of communications range, requiring many more cells and higher backhaul costs.

polle

[www.engadget.com]

uberfu

mishaps

There's no reason why it wouldn't work here. We desperately need *something* that'll give us true high-speed wireless access. What we got now is simply laughable, and the fact that we pay for it dearly, offensive.

Nongeek

As for Mac integration of WiMax in their product line, that would be a huge win, but Intel and Sprint are not the only ones on board. Samsung, Nokia and Motorola are all partnering with Sprint for the Xohm buildout, and have committed resources to the technology. Sprint already has agreements with Dell, HP, and other PC manufacturers for their EVDO data network, and you can guarantee that these companies are well aware of the tech and have an integration plan in place.

The big question is whether Sprint can make it happen, and if so, when. I personally am praying to the tech gods that it happens, and with Apple's recent success (iphone), an integration of Wimax in their new line might just be the boost the technology needs.

sprintmgr

But what does WiMax need saving from exactly? A quick trip to Korea, which is already v2 WiBro, will reveal to you the true potential of this technology.

Dukeswharf

sample032

@mulliingitover :- The WiMAX forum doesn't allow the use of 700MHz (_yet_) so using this technology in this band wouldn't be certified WiMAX, vendors who produced equipment that worked in this way wouldn't be able to use the WiMAX name, but maybe this could change, Apple has used pre-defined and early standards before (802.11G).

@tvgenius :- Beamspeed uses MMDS *NOT* WiMAX, WiMAX hasn't been around for 10 years. Long range internet access using radio isn't a new thing, but WiMAX in its current form has only been with us since 2004.

WiMAX certainly isn't a WiFi replacement, the design of the network is complex (I've designed them) and VERY expensive.

fulopfelan

[www.techdirt.com]

MULLINGITOVER, So Apple will ship boxes with WiMax installed, then find out if they bid high enough to win spectrum? Then get a network rolling? And BTW the spectrum will not be available to deploy in until 2009.
Methinks you should mull that over some more.
Folks keep talking about WiMax like it is proven to be viable and cost effective and provide dramatically better cost effectiveness than existing 3G networks. It is not and has not.
Apple won't be sticking WiMax in their laptops anytime soon. So says me.

HamsterSmasher

Carriers are going to put their plans for wired highspeed in home on a back burner and just invest in wimax in remote or rural areas. This means millions who are not serviced by highspeed in north america will be major potential customers for this new apple. Risky?

Scazza

TVGenius

It'd also be more retarded than not having the iPhone name before announcing it. Now they would be competing with the likes of cell phone companies for what they need to run their business, not Cisco for a token partnership and a few $$ for a trademark.

sample032

longnotsuki

WiMax avoids much of telco infrastructure costs and thus is a top solution for developing nations.

Sihanouk-s-Poodle

USB2 was a different story. Apple only adopted USB2 when it was clear FireWire wasn't proceeding fast enough, nor was it cheap enough, to be a solution valuable enough to stave off the adoption of USB2 across the industry.

Only late in the adoption of this technology did Apple jump on the bandwagon, and even then Apple didn't make a big deal out of it...

APPLretiree

Accelerata

mullingitover

Reiniar

Wifi is an unlicensed band technology and will continue ti dominate access points in residences and internal plant. Wimax is a carrier level technology.

There will never be Wimax access points - modems and access gear, yes. Wimax supports a much better raoming and handoff protocol for metropolitan area nets.

abmw

Even AT&T's #G HSPDA is hardly ubiquitous. Also, keep in mind that the National Carriers have an incentive to migrate off the circuit switched channel architecture that divides voice and data, and really want to go with an all data bearer regimen. Everything over the data channel.

abmw

Apple singlehandedly forced entire industries to start making USB devices. Epson had to make a printer just for people with an iMac, there were ISDN modems, webcams and other devices that only worked on the mac for ages. It wasn't another 2 years till it really started appearing in PC's. Apple never tried to push Firewire for desktop peripherals.

scoobydoo

What do you mean? Apple jump started USB when they put it in the original iMac. They even essentially forced consumers to use it by leaving off all of the legacy Mac ports.

And fire wire isn't proprietary in any real sense. It has been on hard drives and video cameras for years.

mattjumbo

apples getting closer to something I may actually buy. once they develop a product that can replace my laptop, phone, and snapshot camera then that will be the day that apple becomes three times bigger then they already are.

eggtea [name: Tony]

Jordan Golson

As far as Blu-Ray, I seriously doubt we'll ever see that technology in anything beyond the Mac Pros possibly. Blu-Ray runs counter to what Apple is trying to achieve with their entertainment model.

They don't want *either* optical format to succeed on any DVD-like scale.

mattjumbo

they've had procare for a while now, and although it may not be beneficial for many it is still a really good deal (esp. if you're near an apple store with creatives that specialize in pro apps)

discounteggroll

sine23

jsmjr816

Apple might just switch to 802.11pre-n in all products.

sample032

Brian Lam

mock and scoff all you want - but pick up some apple stock it's a fricken bargain at $175.

dashielm

Brian Lam

Google "wimax europe" before posting stuff like this. There is more Wimax in Europe than there is in the US at the moment. Granted, some of them are still pilot projects, but it's most certainly not a US only standard.

scoobydoo

ihavenoimaginationwhenitcomestopickingausername

And there is more to it than just Intel and Sprint.

I suggest you check out this link:

[www.wimaxforum.org]

scoobydoo

CYST!

abraham315

WiMax - Get Onboard or get left behind,,,,

raven1

zacman85

Noobs-R-Us