WiMax Cons. If WiMax did everything that its promoters claim, it would be the most important networking technology since the PC, WiMax pros and WiMax cons.

If WiMax did everything that its promoters claim, it would be the most important networking technology since the PC. It may not, of course, and initially it may have little impact. But it does provide a path from fixed and line-of-sight links to full mobility, so it could become the predominant type of access network by the end of the decade - that is, if 802.20, 3G, or other emerging technologies haven't gotten there first.

WiMax is much less risky than the proprietary technologies it's replacing. Unlike them, WiMax is certain to have some kind of future, though it may or may not live up to its hype. The biggest risk now is believing vendors' claims of performance and interoperability, or service providers' claims of coverage.

Point-to-Point WiMax Products
Pros: High data rate (50Mbits/sec or higher)
Long range (10 miles or more)
Low risk of interference

Cons: Require a line of sight.
Can link only two points.

Point-to-Multipoint WiMax Products
Pros: Can work without line of sight.
Low-cost client radios.

WiMax Cons: Subject to interference, but less so than proprietary microwave radio.
Lower data rate and range

Unlicensed WiMax Services
Pros: Low entry cost for service providers, so lots of competition and wide coverage likely.

Cons: No service guarantees possible.
May suffer interference from Wi-Fi and other networks.

Licensed WiMax Services
Pros: Smooth upgrade path from fixed to mobile access.
Low risk of interference.

WiMax Cons: Cost and regulatory barriers will mean later rollout than unlicensed.
Will initially lack mobility, unlike 3G and 802.20.