1.1 The Core Idea

WiMAX is a wireless communications technology designed to provide high-speed internet access over long distances, serving as a powerful alternative to physical connections like DSL or Cable. It was developed to deliver broadband to homes and businesses without the need for direct wired infrastructure. In simple terms, WiMAX would operate “similar to WiFi, but at higher speeds over greater distances and for a greater number of users.”

1.2 The Official Definition

The full name for the technology is Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. It is a standardized technology based on the IEEE 802.16 set of standards, which ensures that equipment from different companies can work together seamlessly. To guarantee this compatibility, a nonprofit organization called the WiMAX Forum was created to test and certify that devices conform to the standard.

1.3 Transitional Sentence

Understanding the technology is the first step. To truly appreciate its design, we must next explore the specific goals it was created to achieve.