Wireless data relief: Spelled W-i-M-a-x?

Net access over cell networks is still slower than with a home broadband connection, even on faster third-generation (3G) cellular data networks like EV-DO (Verizon and Sprint Nextel) and HSDPA (AT&T and T-Mobile). And those speedier networks aren't yet available in all metro centers, let alone in many rural areas. Laptop owners and those with advanced cell phones like the iPhone can get their broadband via Wi-Fi hotspots, but those are highly local, and so don't really offer broadband access on the go.

Hoping to capitalize on these shortcomings, this week a coalition led by Sprint, Nextel, and Intel announced support for a more potent flavor of Wi-Fi called mobile WiMax. Based on the IEEE 802.16e wireless standard, mobile WiMax offers data speeds comparable to Wi-Fi (that is, about 5 to 10 times faster than today's cell data networks). WiMax also offers much greater range; indeed, some even think WiMax might one day replace cable or DSL as the home broadband access of choice.

But before you start salivating too much for a WiMax fix, consider the following issues that may yet trip up this promising technology—which, by they way, has been simmering in the wireless community for about a decade.

Wi-Max infrastructure has far to go. The new coalition promises WiMax service in 200 markets by 2010 or 2011. But that assumes their plans receive regulatory approval by the end of this year; that Intel is able to deliver new WiMax chips called Montevina by the middle of 2009; and that billions of dollars in investments and support streams in from a wide myriad of stake holders, from cell-phone makers to local governments. WiMax needs its own towers and other infrastructure to work. So far, only a few towers have been built in the Washington, D.C. area and Chicago, where Sprint is conducting trials.

WiMax has competition. One factor that could complicate rollout is the presence of another horse in mobile-broadband race, a technology known as Long Term Evolution. LTE promises to be just as fast, and it's backed by the deep pockets of AT&T and Verizon. An HD-DVD-vs.-Blu-Ray-like battle that may ensue could further delay deployment and adoption of both technologies.

There are power issues. WiMax is a power-sapping technology. The prototype units Sprint paraded at last month's CTIA, the Detroit Auto show of cell phones, delivered only two hours of data downloads at most—and these weren't even phones (rather, they were hand-held units with Web-browsing and texting capabilities). It may be a lot to ask a cell phone battery to add Wi-Max considering most cells phone already support several radios, such as the cell transceiver, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even an FM Radio. To seek out these connections, cell phones constantly "ping" the networks for availability, which also eats up power.

The bottom line? Both WiMax and LTE promise to satisfy consumers' growing appetite for faster, uninterrupted data connections. But it will take lots of time, money, and effort before their promise becomes reality.

—Mike Gikas