Burton Group - Unwi The Last Mile Ringfixedbroadban

Network and Telecom Strategies
In-Depth Research Report
Fixed Broadband Wireless Access

Technology: Unwiring the Last Mile
Version: 2.0, Mar 19, 2007
AUTHOR(S):
Paul DeBeasi
(pdebeasi@burtongroup.com)
TECHNOLOGY THREAD:
Wireless and Mobility
Conclusion
Fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) technology has been used for many years to provide
last mile communication in rural and underdeveloped areas around the world where wireline
facilities do not exist. Even in major metropolitan centers, the availability of reasonably priced,
high-speed wired connections has not always kept up with business requirements. The number
of technology options available for fixed BWA applications has expanded significantly in recent
years but will ultimately be dominated by the 802.16e-2005 standard.
Page: 1
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Table Of Contents
Synopsis.......................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Analysis...........................................................................................................................................................................5
Need for BWA Technology........................................................................................................................................ 5
Evolution of BWA Technology.................................................................................................................................. 6
Unlicensed Spectrum.................................................................................................................................................. 6
Environmental Factors................................................................................................................................................ 7
Weather-Related Factors.........................................................................................................................................7
Interference-Related Factors................................................................................................................................... 7
Competing BWA Technologies.................................................................................................................................. 7
IEEE 802.11............................................................................................................................................................ 7
IEEE 802.16............................................................................................................................................................ 8
IEEE 802.16 Market Dynamics.......................................................................................................................... 8
Mobile Cellular....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Proprietary BWA Technology.............................................................................................................................. 10
Comparing the Competing Technologies............................................................................................................. 10
Market Impact........................................................................................................................................................... 11
Service Provider.................................................................................................................................................... 11
Enterprise.............................................................................................................................................................. 12
Municipality.......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Recommendations..................................................................................................................................................... 13
When to Consider Using BWA Technology.........................................................................................................13
Selecting BWA Equipment................................................................................................................................... 13
The Details.................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Spectrum: Licensed and Unlicensed......................................................................................................................... 15
Components.............................................................................................................................................................. 16
Subscriber Module................................................................................................................................................ 17
Access Point.......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Backhaul Unit....................................................................................................................................................... 19
Topologies.................................................................................................................................................................20
Point-to-Point........................................................................................................................................................ 21
Point-to-Multipoint............................................................................................................................................... 21
Mesh......................................................................................................................................................................22
Technologies............................................................................................................................................................. 23
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Systems (MMDS).....................................................................................23
IEEE 802.11.......................................................................................................................................................... 24
IEEE 802.16.......................................................................................................................................................... 24
802.16 MAC Layer........................................................................................................................................... 26
QoS....................................................................................................................................................................26
802.16 Physical Layer for 10 GHz to 66 GHz.................................................................................................. 26
802.16 Physical Layer for 2 GHz Through 11 GHz......................................................................................... 26
The WiMAX Forum..........................................................................................................................................27
HiperMAN and WiBro......................................................................................................................................27
IEEE 802.22.......................................................................................................................................................... 28
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................................... 29
Notes............................................................................................................................................................................. 30
Related Research and Recommended Reading.............................................................................................................31
Author Bio ....................................................................................................................................................................32
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Synopsis
Fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) technology has been used for many years to provide last mile
communication in rural and underdeveloped areas around the world. Even in major metropolitan centers, the
availability of reasonably priced, high-speed wired connections has not always kept up with business
requirements, so fixed wireless has a role to play there. Fixed BWA technology has also been used for wireline
redundancy, point-to-multipoint campus networks, and point-to-point private networks.
Older BWA products used proprietary technology, were expensive, and tended to lock customers into a single-
vendor solution. The emergence of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless
local area network (WLAN) standard created an alternative to proprietary BWA technology. Although 802.11
was not designed for BWA applications, the technology was nonetheless widely used in metropolitan
deployments. However, BWA systems are now coming to market based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard.
802.16-2004 was designed to provide fixed broadband metropolitan area communication and is referred to as
fixed Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (fixed WiMAX).
In 2005, the IEEE ratified the 802.16e-2005 standard, also referred to as mobile WiMAX. Since mobile WiMAX
can support both fixed and mobile deployments, the same mobile WiMAX technology can be used to manufacture
fixed BWA base stations and mobile base stations. 802.16e-2005 will become the dominant technology used in
fixed BWA applications but will not likely surpass Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) or Code
Division Multiple Access 2000 (cdma2000) as the dominant technology for mobile applications.
Most countries view wireless spectrum as a public resource and control the usage of that resource by creating
regulations and by issuing spectrum licenses. Alternatively, many countries now authorize the use of unlicensed
spectrum. The increased availability of unlicensed spectrum for fixed BWA will drive down deployment costs
and increase the usage of fixed BWA technology.
Enterprises should consider using BWA technology when the enterprise needs:
• An Internet connection but wired service is not available
• A temporary, high-speed, outdoor network
• A new or enhanced campus network
• A high-speed point-to-point link between facilities
• A redundant connection
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Analysis
Fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) technology is used by enterprises to build private network connections,
and by wireless Internet service providers (WISPs) to offer high-speed wireless services in many regions around
the world. (This report focuses on BWA technology. For an analysis of WISPs, see the Network and Telecom
Strategies report, “The Wild World of WISPs.”) These regions include rural areas where fiber/copper connections
are not available, developing nations where the communications infrastructure is immature, and underserved areas
where customers are too far from a telecommunications central office. In addition, BWA technology can be used
for temporary networking (e.g., disaster recovery, or special events), campus networking, point-to-point networks,
and diverse path redundancy.
Fixed BWA technology uses a base station—also called an access point (AP)—located at a central tower, much
like a mobile or cellular infrastructure, to broadcast and receive radio signals that are used to carry user
information (see Figure 1). The base station connects to a high-speed wired/wireless backhaul link to transport the
traffic to a remote destination. Mesh technology is also used to backhaul traffic around line of sight (LOS)
obstructions and to provide redundant backhaul paths. Users connect to the network using customer premises
equipment (CPE) that communicates with the base station via an antenna, and that connects to the users' local area
networks (LANs) via an Ethernet port.
Figure 1: Fixed BWA Overview (Source: Pacific Communications)
Need for BWA Technology

Fixed BWA technology is being widely deployed in rural and developing nations because providing an
inexpensive high-speed connection to a rural area is considered a major accomplishment in many parts of the
world. Fixed BWA can provide that connectivity at significantly lower costs than wired connections. Rapid
deployments are already being carried out in areas where there is little or no wired networking infrastructure in
place, such as India, Slovakia, and parts of the former Eastern European bloc, including Moscow. Many of these
deployments are aimed at bringing high-speed Internet access to residential customers as well as offering
businesses options for wide area networking (WAN) connections.
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Even developed cities and towns may have underserved areas. Some customers may be too far from a telephone
company central office to receive high-speed communication services. Some local exchange carriers are
selectively deploying fixed BWA as “wireless digital subscriber line” (DSL) in areas where their copper loops
cannot easily or cost effectively support DSL. Other customers may be located in older urban areas that were not
developed with the kinds of cabling that allow high-speed, business-class metropolitan area networking (MAN)
connectivity. The cost of upgrading the existing infrastructure to support copper or optical fiber in these older
areas can be as expensive as providing wired connections to underdeveloped regions.
Fixed BWA technology can also be used to build high-speed temporary wireless networks. BWA technology can
be mounted on mobile antennas and powered by gas generators to offer temporary high-speed networking for
post-disaster communication. The same mobile base stations can be used to supply high-speed communications to
outdoor events that require wireless communication.
Businesses can use fixed BWA technology as their primary WAN connection where other alternatives don't exist.
However, many enterprises use fixed BWA as a diverse path backup solution to their primary wired connection.
The technologies now available also allow enterprises to establish their own point-to-point or point-to-multipoint
fixed wireless connections throughout a metropolitan area or campus. The use of unlicensed spectrum and the
latest technologies that no longer require an LOS between facilities has opened up the possibility that enterprises
will bypass local service providers for intra-enterprise connections.
Evolution of BWA Technology

Older fixed BWA products used proprietary wireless technology such as the PacketWave product from Aperto
Networks. These products were refined over many years and are now used throughout the world to cost-
effectively transport voice and data communication. Use of proprietary technology tends to lock customers into a
single-vendor solution because multivendor solutions are not usually interoperable. In addition, use of proprietary
technology tends to keep equipment prices high.
The emergence of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN)
standard created an alternative to proprietary BWA technology, especially for shorter distances. Although 802.11
was not designed for metropolitan networks, many metropolitan and campus networks were deployed using
802.11 APs, directional antennas, and mesh technology. The demand for low-cost, standards-based, wireless
technology drove 802.11 product volume to over 200 million units in 2006. Consumer 802.11 AP prices fell from
thousands of dollars to under $100.
In 1998, the IEEE approved the formation of the 802.16 committee, and later, the 802.20 committee. These were
initially envisioned as addressing fixed and mobile uses, respectively. After many years and a number of
revisions, the IEEE ratified the 802.16-2004 standard. The 802.16 committee capitalized on the experience with
802.11 networks and incorporated quality of service (QoS), security, handoff technology, mesh capabilities, and
management systems necessary for carrier operations into the specifications of the 802.16 standard. In late 2005,
the IEEE ratified the 802.16e-2005 standard, which added mobility support to 802.16-2004 and is word-for-word
compatible with the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) High Performance Radio
Metropolitan Area Network (HiperMAN) standard. In 2006, the IEEE suspended 802.20 activities.
The term Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) is commonly equated to 802.16. Actually,
the WiMAX Forum created a set of profiles that define a subset of the functionality from the 802.16 standard. The
WiMAX Forum uses the profiles to test BWA equipment. Equipment that passes the test is deemed to be WiMAX
Forum Certified. The WiMAX Forum asserts that WiMAX Forum Certified equipment from different vendors is
interoperable.1 Fixed WiMAX profiles are derived from 802.16-2004 and mobile WiMAX profiles are derived
from 802.16e-2005.
Unlicensed Spectrum
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Most countries view wireless radio frequency (RF) spectrum as a public resource, and control the usage of that
resource by creating regulations and by issuing spectrum licenses. A spectrum license grants the licensee the right
to transmit wireless signals within a particular frequency range as long as the licensee agrees to abide by specific
operational constraints such as geography and power limits. Licensed spectrum is beneficial because it provides
legal protection to the spectrum holder in the event that another wireless user interferes with the licensee's
wireless signal. Unfortunately, due to competition and open bidding for this scarce resource, licensed spectrum
can be quite costly for network operators to obtain.
Alternatively, many countries now authorize the use of unlicensed spectrum (seeTable 1). This spectrum is
usually regulated (e.g., for maximum power transmission levels) but does not require license fees. For example,
the 2.4 GHz band (2.403 GHz–2.483 GHz) is unlicensed in most countries around the world, but is governed by
country-specific maximum power regulations. Using an unlicensed spectrum lowers the deployment cost of fixed
BWA technology.
Environmental Factors
Fixed BWA technology, like all wireless technology, is subject to environmental factors that can affect reliability
and performance.
Weather-Related Factors
Wireless connections are susceptible to weather-related outages. Heavy rain, snow, hail, fog, and wind can cause
fading and result in degraded network performance or loss of communication. In addition, ice can build up on
outdoor antenna systems and affect network performance. Many of these factors can be mitigated by designing
sufficient fade margin when the network is installed.
Interference-Related Factors
Wireless signals are susceptible to interference that can degrade network performance. Network managers may
use a combinationof licensed and unlicensed spectrum for private network links. Although licensed spectrum is
less likely to experience interference, unlicensed spectrum can be reliably deployed by experienced network
managers that perform up-front site surveys and then continuously monitor network connections. Many
interference-related factors can be mitigated by using techniques such as changing channels, changing antenna
polarization, or reducing throughput.
Competing BWA Technologies

A number of different technologies are used to satisfy theneed for BWA. The technologies vary in range,
throughput, and cost. The eventual technology winner for fixed BWA applications will be 802.16e-2005, due to
its strong operational characteristics, multivendor interoperability, anticipated widespread availability, and
eventual equipment cost reductions.
IEEE 802.11
WLANs were not originally designed for fixed Wireless Broadband (WiBro) applications. The range of a
consumer grade 802.11 system is generally measured in feet (less than 300) or meters, rather than miles or
kilometers. Further, 802.11 networks are subject to interference because they operate exclusively in unlicensed
frequency bands. Multiple networks running on the same channel are often installed by nearby businesses and
residences, causing co-channel interference and reducing the effectiveness of all the networks in the area. In
addition, the regulations governing 802.11 and the unlicensed frequencies do not provide any legal recourse for a
network owner to remedy the situation.
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However, outdoor deployments of 802.11 that use outdoor directional antennas, higher power levels than those
utilized for indoor installations, and LOS transmission can allow 802.11 networks, which use either a mesh or
base-station topology, to cover much larger areas. A highly optimized installation with base-station operation,
minimal interference, and a point-to-point connection can extend the range to several miles/kilometers. In
practice, most outdoor 802.11 deployments use several shorter point-to-point connections to create a mesh
network. The mesh network increases fault tolerance compared to a single long-haul point-to-point network, but
will usually increase latency and lower throughput.
Even given the potential issues with 802.11, it has been widely utilized for BWA applications because the
technology is based on well-defined standards, is widely available, and is inexpensive.
IEEE 802.16
The consolidation of the 802.16-2001 standard and the 802.16a/802.16c amendments into the 802.16-2004 (fixed
WiMAX) standard eliminated much of the confusion that multiple standards for a single technology can create.
The consolidation made sense because the 802.16 amendments related to frequency support and LOS versus non-
LOS operation, yet retained a single, common media access control (MAC) layer.
The WiMAX Forum, which promotes the deployment of 802.16-based BWA networks and certifies
interoperability of 802.16-2004 products, will have a major impact on the acceptance of 802.16-2004. Its
certification process will ensure interoperability between vendors' equipment and will give enterprises the
confidence they need to make the necessary investments in BWA equipment.
Although the base stations are focused on carrier deployments, the standards will ensure that enterprise customers
will have multiple vendors from which to choose when purchasing RF modems. Having multiple vendors will
also serve to rapidly drive prices down, in much the same way that prices fell for 802.11b equipment.
802.16-2004 point-to-point and point-to-multipoint equipment aimed at the enterprise customer is already
available. The non-LOS capabilities of 802.16-2004 and the use of unlicensed spectrum make this technology
especially attractive for bypassing the wireline service providers for intra-enterprise connectivity.
In late 2002, the IEEE began work on an 802.16-2004 amendment that was to become mobile WiMAX. The IEEE
working group was tasked with developing amendments to the standard that would allow a base station to support
both fixed and mobile deployments. The final version, 802.16e-2005, was approved in December 2005 and is
commonly referred to as mobile WiMAX. The first 802.16e-2005 products will enter the BWA market in 2007;
however, these early products are not yet certified for multivendor interoperability because the WiMAX Forum
has not yet begun mobile WiMAX certification. The WiMAX Forum is expected to open their laboratories for
mobile WiMAX certification sometime in mid-2007.
Since 802.16e-2005 can support both fixed and mobile deployments, the same mobile WiMAX chipset can be
used to manufacture fixed base stations and mobile base stations. This means that base-station vendors can
standardize their development platforms on a single chipset rather than using two different chipsets. This will
improve chipset vendor volume, which will ultimately lower chipset and equipment costs. However, this also
means that products incorporating the fixed-only version of WiMAX, 802.16-2004, will eventually be superseded
by those that use 802.16e-2005.
IEEE 802.16 Market Dynamics

The market for fixed BWA technology is influenced by several factors. The most significant factor is vendor
acceptance of the 802.16e-2005 standard. Many vendors are investing significant portions of their research and
development (R&D) and marketing budgets to support the mobile WiMAX standard. For example, in late 2006
Alvarion sold its cellular mobile unit to LG Wireless so that Alvarion could focus entirely on the WiMAX market.
In addition, Alvarion and Accton Technologies formed a joint venture in early 2007 to develop original design
manufacturer (ODM) WiMAX solutions for the consumer market.
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Intel is betting heavily on mobile WiMAX. In mid 2006 Intel invested $600 million in WiMAX service provider,
Clearwire. In December 2006 at the 3G World Congress and Mobility Marketplace in Hong Kong, Intel
demonstrated the WiMAX Connection 2300 chipset that integrates IEEE 802.16e-2005 and draft IEEE 802.11n
into a two-chip chipset.
The vendor acceptance of mobile WiMAX will improve interoperability, increase equipment availability, and
lower equipment costs. The mobile WiMAX standard will eventually outsell the fixed WiMAX standard and
dominate the fixed BWA marketplace (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: WiMAX Deployments and Investment (Source: Rethink Research)

The availability ofunlicensed spectrum for fixed BWA will drive down deployment costs and increase the usage
of fixed BWA technology. The 5.8 GHz band (5.725 GHz–5.825 GHz) is unlicensed in most countries around the
world and could be used to cost effectively deploy fixed BWA equipment.
Mobile Cellular
Mobile operators have begun the migration to higher-speed mobile data technologies. However, the aggregate
data rate per user is simply not sufficient. Sprint and Verizon Wireless have essentially completed their
deployment of Evolution-Data Only Revision 0 (EV-DO Rev 0) across the United States. EV-DO Rev 0 offers
average download speeds of 400 kbps–900 kbps to individual users. Cingular Wireless continues to deploy High-
Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) in cities throughout the United States. Many countries throughout
Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia began HSDPA deployment in 2006.2 HSDPA has similar downlink speeds
to EV-DO.
Sprint began deployment of EV-DO Rev A in late 2006 and plans an aggressive deployment in 2007. EV-DO Rev
A improves the uplink speed and lowers the network latency, but does not substantially improve the downlink
speed. Verizon Wireless has also begun to deploy EV-DO Rev A. EV-DO Rev A is still significantly slower than
802.16e-2005.
In 2006, Sprint made the decision to use 802.16e-2005 as its fourth generation (4G) mobile technology. However,
there will be significant challenges because, while rolling out the new WiMAX network, Sprint must maintain the
older EV-DO and integrated Digital Enhanced Network (iDEN) networks it “inherited” from its Nextel
acquisition. In Q3 2006, Sprint's profits plunged 52% and it lost 188,000 contract customers—while Verizon and
Cingular were adding over 1 million new customers. Wall Street has not been happy with this performance and in
August 2006 their Chief Operating Officer, Len Lauer, left the company.
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Clearwire (www.clearwire.com)—a fixed BWA operator—offers service in over 200 cities in the United States,
Ireland, Belgium, Denmark (under the name Danske Telecom), and Mexico (under the name MVS Net). They
announced plans to support 802.16e-2005-based mobile services. They also filed for an initial public offering
(IPO) in December 2006 and intend to raise $400 million. This is the second time Clearwire has filed for an IPO.
The first filing was withdrawn in July 2006 after they received $900 million in private financing—including a
$600 million investment from Intel. Clearwire will have significant challenges competing with the established
mobile providers because they must quickly expand their coverage from a comparatively small number of
regional U.S. cities to most of the United States. This will be very costly. Clearwire may need to support dual-
mode phones and roaming agreements with competitors.
For additional information on this topic, see the Network and Telecom Strategies report, “Mobile Data Services:
So Many Choices.”
Proprietary BWA Technology

Prior to the creation of the 802.16 standard, the market consisted exclusively of proprietary BWA technologies.
The proprietary technologies were used in both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint products. Proprietary
products from the same vendor must be used on both ends of the link to ensure interoperability. This can be
problematic because a point-to-multipoint base station, for example, may connect to hundreds of subscriber units.
However, the use of 802.16 technology will ensure multivendor interoperability, simplify deployment, and
eventually lower equipment costs.
Some of the point-to-point products have already been modified to support 802.16. For example, the backhaul
radio on mesh APs is being modified to support 802.16. But many point-to-point products retain their proprietary
technologies (e.g., Ceragon's FibeAir) due to the fact that there is less need for interoperability. This is because
there are only two devices used to form the communication link and thus it is easy to ensure that the same device
is used on both ends of the link. Also, many proprietary technologies operate at much higher speeds and exploit
completely different spectrum than those used in the 802.16 standard.
Comparing the Competing Technologies

Figure 3 shows a range versus throughput comparison of the alternative technologies. Note that the scale is
logarithmic and the chart shows typical downlink speeds at a typical range. Note also that the Fixed WiMAX data
point uses 802.16e in a fixed deployment configuration.
The most important messages from this chart are:
• 802.11 technologies are best suited for high-throughput and short-range applications (such as LANs).
• Mobile WiMAX, HSDPA, EV-DO technologies are best suited for moderate throughput and moderate range
mobile applications.
• Fixed WiMAX is best suited for moderate to high throughput and long range fixed applications.
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Figure 3: Range vs. Throughput for Competing Wireless Technologies
Market Impact
The impact of fixed BWA technology can be analyzed by looking at three market segments: service providers,
municipalities, and enterprises.
Service Provider
Much of the deployment of residential BWA is taking place in countries where wired connectivity is not currently
available. This is because many residential customers in North America and in the developed countries in Asia
and Europe have access to high-speed Internet access. Much of the BWA growth will continue to be in
underserved geographies and developing countries where it is too costly to build out a wireline infrastructure.
Installing 802.16 systems will be far cheaper than extending copper or fiber networks. Adding mesh capabilities
will further improve the economics because individual stations will not need a hardwired connection back to the
carrier network.
Intel, Alvarion, Motorola, and other vendors are actively promoting the use of 802.16 technology for residential
and enterprise services throughout much of the world. This is a trend that will accelerate as it becomes obvious
that an area currently without even telephone service can be adequately served by a few high-speed wireless
channels that can provide both voice and limited video connections. The worldwide potential market for fixed
BWA is enormous, given that the vast majority of communities outside of the developed nations (and even many
rural areas within those nations) currently have no broadband networking connections. This market potential is
tempered by the fact that many developing nations many not be able to reliably deliver energy to operate BWA
networks and may not be able to pay for BWA service.
In the near term, consumer WISPs will continue to use low-cost 802.11 technology for their point-to-multipoint
connections. Enterprise WISPs are migrating away from 802.11 and toward 802.16 for their subscriber
connections. This migration, even for consumers, will accelerate as 802.16 base stations drop in price and as the
proliferation of 802.16 spreads into laptops, mobile phones and consumer devices.
Lastly, the need for more broadband bandwidth continues to grow especially in Latin America and Western
Europe. The need for broadband bandwidth will drive the demand for fixed BWA technology that can satisfy that
need (see Figure 4).
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Figure 4: Broadband Subscriber Growth (Source: emarketer.com)
Enterprise
One of the first devices that will support fixed BWA technology will be the laptop. Although the laptop is not
necessarily thought of as a fixed BWA device, many laptops currently use 802.11 and/or 3G mobile cellular to
establish near-BWA connections. In addition, service providers like Sprint and Clearwire have announced their
desire to offer fixed and mobile services using WiMAX technology. In effect, the laptop becomes a BWA
subscriber unit.
Intel is working on a wireless triple play (Wireless Fidelity [Wi-Fi], WiMAX, 3G mobile cellular) system on a
chip (SoC). The wireless SoC will support 802.11n, 802.16e, and HSDPA. Rather than competing with each
other, these three technologies will be integrated to allow enterprises to use best-fit wireless technology. Intel is
working hard to develop the market for WiMAX and they have the potential to be a big winner in this segment.
Many of the venture-funded WiMAX chipset vendors will fail or be consolidated into larger firms such as
Advanced Micro Devices.
The lines between fixed/mobile BWA will become blurred as the same technology—802.16e-2005—is used for
fixed, nomadic, and mobile applications. Alvarion and Accton Technologies formed a joint venture in early 2007
to capitalize on the demand for WiMAX solutions. They will develop ODM WiMAX solutions for the consumer
market. However, many of their hardware designs will likely be used to develop enterprise devices too.
Enterprises can deploy their own BWA solutions for large campus areas or for connecting remote buildings or
facilities into the enterprise network. As in the service provider market, the use of unlicensed spectrum provides a
low cost of entry for any enterprise that wants to establish a connection between facilities, and there are
equipment makers, including Motorola and Alvarion, that are providing these products for both point-to-point and
point-to-multipoint connections.
802.16e will be the dominant technology in this market segment. Products that used proprietary point-to-
multipoint technology will lose to 802.16e-2005 technology. Point-to-point technology from companies like
GigaBeam and Ceragon will continue to offer a price/performance advantage over 802.16e-2005 technology for
high-end (> 1 Gbps) solutions.
Municipality
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Municipal networks are usually intended to provide public Internet access. The network connects directly to
laptops and consumer devices using an 802.11 AP. The traffic is backhauled through the network over a wireless
mesh; typically, using proprietary wireless technology. 802.16 will initially be used as the backhaul wireless
technology and thus proprietary backhaul will be the loser in this segment. A mesh network using 802.16 for
backhaul will reduce the number of AP routing nodes in the municipal network because of improved 802.16
throughput/range characteristics. Use of 802.16 will simplify mesh architectures and reduce operational costs.
802.11 will retain a leading position as the dominant access technology in this segment even when consumer
devices begin to support 802.16. Over 200 million 802.11 chipsets were sold in 2006. It will take many years, if
ever, for 802.16 to catch up and surpass 802.11 in terms of units sold.
Recommendations
The number of options available for BWA has expanded significantly since the ratification of the 802.16-2004
and 802.16e-2005 standards. There are continuing deployments of 802.11-based, fixed BWA solutions as well,
but for most enterprise-class solutions, 802.16e-2005 products (with their greater bandwidth, spectrum efficiency,
QoS, and non-LOS capabilities) will be the better option.
When to Consider Using BWA Technology

Enterprises should consider using fixed BWA technology under the conditions listed below. For each condition,
the enterprise can choose to either use a WISP (if available) or to purchase fixed BWA equipment and deploy a
private network. See the Network and Telecom Strategies report, “The Wild World of WISPs,” for an analysis of
WISPs. See the “Selecting BWA Equipment” section of this report for equipment purchase recommendations.
1 When wired Internet access service is not available: This can occur in rural areas, underserved areas,
or in developing nations that have an underdeveloped communications infrastructure.
2 When the enterprise needs a temporary, high-speed, outdoor network: This can occur, for example,
with post-disaster recovery projects or with special outdoor events.
3 When the enterprise needs to build or enhance a campus network: Fixed BWA, when used as a
high-speed backhaul link, can extend the range and simplify the deployment of outdoor 802.11 and mesh
networks.
4 When the enterprise needs a high-speed point-to-point link between facilities: This can occur when
a wired network deployment is too costly (e.g., when a street must be dug up), or when the enterprise
prefers to own their own private network rather than lease private line facilities.
5 When the enterprise needs a redundant connection: This can occur when the enterprise wants a
diverse-path, redundant connection for full-time use or for backup for their wired connections.
Selecting BWA Equipment

If an enterprise decides to purchase and deploy a private fixed BWA network, then Burton Group makes the
following recommendations:
1 The 802.16e technology is the best strategic choice because it is standardized, will be available from
many vendors, and will drop in price as volumes increase. However, the first standardized and certified
products will not ship until sometime in 2007. Therefore, 2007 is a transition year (from
proprietary/802.16-2004 to 802.16e-2005) and enterprises should carefully evaluate 802.16-2004-based
products, and proprietary solutions, to see if they are a better tactical, short-term choice based upon
price, performance, and availability.
2 For point-to-point connections with LOS between enterprise locations, enterprises should use systems
that support unlicensed spectrum and use high frequencies that can provide high bandwidths.
13
3 For distances that are less than two kilometers apart or for operations within a large campus, enterprises
should use 802.11 equipment. This equipment is less expensive than currently available 802.16 devices
and can provide adequate performance for many applications. However, one of the primary concerns
may be the potential for interference from other businesses or homes utilizing the same frequencies for
their wireless communications.
4 For longer distances or for environments requiring non-LOS operations, enterprises should use 802.16
equipment operating in the upper ranges of the unlicensed 5 GHz frequencies (currently unused by most
other equipment).
5 Only equipment that is standards-based and that has passed the Wi-Fi Alliance or WiMAX Forum
certification process should be chosen. This will ensure interoperability between vendor offerings, both
at the base station and in the CPE.
14
The Details
The last mile is typically the hardest to traverse when setting up dedicated access connections. Where available,
digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modems, and older wireless systems usually provide asymmetric connections
with lower upstream bandwidth than downstream. The same is true of satellite connections. In other situations,
there may simply be no facilities capable of making the necessary connection at the location where it is required.
Fixed Wireless Broadband (WiBro) access is one solution to these problems.
Broadband wireless access (BWA) systems are now on the market and being installed by both service providers
and enterprises. Based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16-2004 standard or the
802.16e-2005 standard, these systems have the potential to address the last-mile issue as well as to provide inter-
building connections either in a metropolitan or campus environment.
After languishing for many years as a niche application, the fixed BWA technologies are experiencing resurgence,
mainly in response to business needs, implementation of standards, and equipment cost reductions.
Spectrum: Licensed and Unlicensed

One of the decisions that an enterprise network manager must make is the choice of spectrum. Unfortunately, a
tangled web of country regulations and frequency specifications characterizes the frequency bands throughout the
world. Country regulations include license characteristics such as intended frequency usage, maximum power
level, and channel width. Frequency specifications include characteristics such as the sensitivity of a particular
frequency to attenuation, reflection, and refraction. A complete description of the worldwide frequency bands is
beyond the scope of this report. However, Table 1 provides a list of common frequency bands.
Two widely used frequency bands are the ISM and U-NII bands. The ISM band refers to the industrial, scientific,
and medical band specified by Part 15 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations in the
United States. The United States limits the power to 1 watt and the bandwidth to 125 MHz. The ISM band is used
by the 802.11b/g and 802.11n standards.
The U-NII band refers to the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure band specified by the FCC in the
United States. The band is broken into four sub-bands (specified in the last four entries of Table 1). Many of the
bands are widely used in the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and China. The U-NII band is used by the
802.11a and 802.11n standards. Each sub-band is 100 MHz wide (except for the 5.470 GHz–5.725 GHz band).
Frequency License Usage and regional allocation

band d?
• Public safety spectrum3

764–776 Yes
MHz • United States
794–806
MHz
• Cordless telephones, baby monitors, home security4

902–928 No
MHz • United States
• WiBro services—SK Telecom and Korea Telecom

2.305–2.360 Yes
• Wireless communication service in the United States5
GHz
15
• 802.11b/g, 802.11n, Bluetooth, microwave ovens6
2.403–2.483 No
GHz • ISM band in the United States
• 802.16 fixed/mobile
2.495–2.690 Yes
• United States, Canada, Latin America, Australia7
GHz
• Sprint Nextel, Clearwire, BellSouth in the United States8
• 802.16 fixed, most of world (except the United States)10

3.3995–3.60 Yes9
00 GHz • Reserved for military use in the United States
• May be used for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) in

3.650–3.700 No the United States, but must use contention-based protocols to avoid interference
GHz 11
• Public Safety Band12

4.940–4.990 Yes
GHz • United States
• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile13

5.150–5.250 No
GHz • United States (U-NII), Canada, Europe, Japan, China
• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile

5.250–5.350 No
• United States (U-NII), Canada, Europe, China
GHz
• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile

5.470–5.725 No
• United States (U-NII), Canada, Europe, Central and Latin America, Middle East,
GHz
Asia Pacific
• Cordless phones, 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile
5.725–5.825 No
• U-NII band in the United States
GHz
Table 1: Common Frequency Bands

The major advantage of using unlicensed spectrum is the cost savings. Unlicensed means that an enterprise need
not lease spectrum from a governmental agency. The major disadvantage of using unlicensed spectrum is that the
enterprise lacks spectrum exclusivity. In other words, two enterprises could use the same spectrum in the same
geographical area resulting in signal degradation or communication loss. Enterprises that use unlicensed spectrum
must continually monitor for interference and take immediate corrective action (e.g., change channel or change
antenna polarization) when interference is detected.
Components
One of the challenges in understanding BWA technology is the complex variety of vendor equipment that
enterprises use to build their networks. Adding to the confusion is the fact that vendors often use different names
to describe similar equipment. The equipment is categorized as either customer premises equipment (CPE) or
base-station equipment (BSE). CPE resides within the enterprise facility and includes both indoor units
(IDUs)—such as network processing equipment—and outdoor units (ODUs)—such as the antenna. BSE resides
at the antenna tower site and also includes IDUs and ODUs.
16
Enterprises use three fundamental wireless components: the subscriber module (SM), which is considered CPE
and is therefore located within the enterprise facility; the access point (AP), which is considered BSE and
therefore resides at the base station; and the backhaul unit (BU), which also resides at the base station (see Figure
5).
Figure 5: BWA Equipment (Source: Pacific Communications)

All three components work in concert to create a BWA connection to the Internet. The components are
manufactured by a wide variety of vendors and are quite varied in their technical characteristics. The components
may use licensed or unlicensed spectrum, proprietary or standards-based technology, full duplex or half duplex
transmission, and point-to-point or point-to-multipoint operation. In addition, the components vary in uplink and
downlink speed, channel width, and antenna types/configurations.
Subscriber Module
The subscriber module (see Figure 6)—also called the “subscriber unit” by some vendors—enables an enterprise
facility to connect to the backbone network. The subscriber module (SM) includes both an IDU and an ODU. The
IDU can simply be an Ethernet port and a power cord or it can be more sophisticated and include connectors such
as Ethernet ports, T1/E1 ports, and RJ11 ports, and include capabilities such as a router, firewall, and Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The ODU is mounted on the enterprise facility and consists of an
outdoor antenna, radio circuitry, media access control (MAC) functions, and management capabilities.
17
Figure 6: Subscriber Module and Access Point (Source: Pacific Communications)
Examples of SMs are the Alvarion BreezeMAX CPE (see Figure 7) and the Motorola Canopy Advantage SM.
Figure 7: BreezeMAX CPE (Source: Alvarion)
Access Point
The access point (AP) resides at the base-station location and wirelessly communicates with the SM. Some
vendors call the AP an “access unit” or simply “base-station equipment.” The AP provides the subscriber with
access to the backhaul network. Similar to the SM, the AP can include IDU and ODU components—or it can be a
single, self-contained unit. The AP includes an antenna, radio circuitry, MAC layer functions, and management
capabilities.
18
Unlike 802.11 APs that use omni-directional antennas and radiate energy in a 360 pattern, most broadband APs
use sectored antennas that focus radiated energy in a 60 sector. Enterprises can place six sectored antennas,
operating on different channels, to increase network capacity in a high-usage area. Examples of APs are the
Alvarion BreezeMAX base station and the Motorola Canopy Advantage AP (see Figure 8).
Figure 8: Canopy Advantage AP (Source: Motorola)
Backhaul Unit
The backhaul unit (BU) resides at the base station or at an enterprise facility, and backhauls the SU traffic to
central facilities, the Internet, or to other APs. BUs operate in a point-to-point configuration (see Figure 9). They
operate over a variety of licensed and/or unlicensed bands and support a variety of modulation schemes. BUs are
designed to carry voice and data transmission over long distances.
Figure 9: Backhaul Point-to-Point Connection (Source: Pacific Communications)

For example, the FibeAir 4800 BU from Ceragon Networks (see Figure 10) provides 48 Mbps capacity over 50
miles (80 km) using unlicensed spectrum.
19
Figure 10: FibeAir 4800 Backhaul Unit (Source: Ceragon)
The enterprise engineering team must evaluate each of the components that it plans to use in the network design.
Prior to installation, it must carefully perform site surveys to assess the level of interference that might occur.
Finally, it must carefully deploy and configure all of the components in order to achieve a reliable, high-
performance network.
Topologies
The use of radio frequency (RF) for connecting wired networks of physically separate facilities is now becoming
common. In the past, freespace optical devices were often used to connect locations where fixed cabling could not
be run or where the costs were prohibitive for the applications being served. With the introduction of low-cost,
high-performance RF technologies, often using unlicensed frequencies, the market for wireless backhaul
technologies is growing.
These technologies use the term “backhaul” because the data is generally moved between a primary wired
network and secondary remote sites. These technologies provide a connection between a central point, usually
connected to the backbone of a wired network and a remote location where any traffic destined for the core
network is carried over the wireless connection. Within an enterprise network, this same connection might be
considered a part of the backbone connection. For consumer or home users, the same topologies can be used to
provide broadband Internet connections.
The basic implementations for BWA, whether for an inter-enterprise implementation or for a wireless Internet
service provider (WISP), consist of three primary topologies:
20
• Point-to-point
• Point-to-multipoint
• Mesh
Point-to-Point
Point-to-point applications are widely used for enterprise deployments (see Figure 11). A point-to-point
connection is often utilized to connect two buildings within an enterprise where it is simply not possible or
economically feasible to pull cable or fiber. A good example would be an enterprise that has a main campus on
one side of a public roadway and a subsidiary facility on the other side. It may not be possible to get permission to
run the cable under the roadway, and the cost of a connection from the local telecommunications operator may be
prohibitive. Point-to-point devices may simply bridge two wired segments of a network within an enterprise
campus or metropolitan area.
Figure 11: Point-to-Point

Many deployments utilize the licensed RF frequencies, including microwaves, for connectivity in enterprises and
cellular base stations. For longer distances, or when obstacles block direct connections, multiple links can be
deployed. Licenses for some of the high frequencies can be obtained at no cost within the United States from the
FCC. The applicant needs to provide the latitude, longitude, and altitude for each of the two endpoint locations
and the frequency and equipment being used. Companies such as GigaBeam provide equipment to operate in the
high-frequency licensed spectrum for point-to-point connections.
Point-to-point bridges can be optimized for maximum performance by using directional antennas, high power,
and proprietary protocols to improve the range, throughput, and reliability of the link. Like freespace optical
bridges (or even wired Ethernet bridges), these wireless links are designed to carry traffic between two well-
defined points in the network and can be configured to provide the same throughput in both directions.
The major issue with these connections is that they create a single point of failure. If the node on either side of the
connection fails or the link between them is lost, all traffic between the sites is stopped. In addition, most of the
point-to-point RF operations require a very good line-of-sight between the locations. Intervening trees or
buildings, rain, smoke, or dust can prevent the point-to-point bridge from being usable or may require that
multiple hops be added between sites. The use of directional antennas improves performance but also entails
additional setup and configuration for these links. Any change to the location of one of the nodes requires that the
other node also be reconfigured to maintain the antenna alignment.
Point-to-Multipoint
Another type of wireless link that can be used as part of a fixed BWA network is a point-to-multipoint distribution
system (see Figure 12). This type of system focuses on providing broadband connections between fixed nodes,
which can be different buildings within an enterprise campus or widely distributed homes or offices in a
metropolitan area. This is the predominant topology used by the WISPs to provide broadband service over large
areas.
21
Figure 12: Point-to-Multipoint
The operational characteristics of the point-to-multipoint system allow all nodes to communicate directly with the
base station, but the nodes cannot communicate with one another without passing through the base station. The
point-to-multipoint operations most often provide asymmetric data flows with a higher throughput from the base
station to the remote nodes than is available from the nodes to the base station. The latest standards allow for
configuration and operation for both asymmetrical and symmetrical data flows.
Although it is of interest to an enterprise for providing a link to and from a central facility, a point-to-multipoint
network does not provide redundancy or multiple paths for traffic. In addition, if the base station fails, all
connectivity is lost until that unit is repaired or replaced—there is no default redundancy in these systems.
Service provider use of fixed point-to-multipoint solutions is based on the cellular model of the mobile service
providers where a single tower can serve multiple simultaneous connections. Highly redundant base stations with
sectorized antennas are strategically located in the region requiring the BWA services. At customer sites, whether
home or business, a CPE device communicates with the base station. With the newest technologies, no direct line
of sight (LOS) is required as multipath operation allows signals to be accurately decoded from reflected and
attenuated signals. This allows the distribution of BWA in both densely packed urban areas or in sparsely
populated rural areas with very good economics.
Mesh
Most wireless networks are deployed in order to provide wireless access for existing wired networks. When used
in this way, a base station accepts frames on the wireless network and transmits those frames onto the wired
network and vice versa. Alternatively, a wireless mesh network is deployed as an “all wireless” network (see
Figure 13). Each of the base stations in the network communicates to the other base stations using wireless
backbone trunks, instead of wireline connections. This type of topology is decentralized, where each base station
is connected to many other base stations in a “mesh” and where each base station “routes” the frames from base
station to base station on to the destination. This topology is similar to the architecture of the Internet.
This type of topology is resilient to failures because base stations can route around failures by connecting to other
base stations in the network. The topology is also flexible because each of the base stations communicates
wirelessly, so a wired network is not required for operation. There are many wireless mesh products on the market
today from companies such as BelAir Networks, Firetide, Strix Systems, and Tropos Networks. Each of these
products uses a proprietary routing protocol to interconnect its base stations. Therefore, a BelAir mesh network,
for example, does not interoperate with a Firetide mesh network. The IEEE 802.11s working group is working on
a standard routing protocol for wireless mesh networks.
22
Figure 13: Multipoint-to-Multipoint Mesh
The mesh can be created using omnidirectional antennas, or, for greater sensitivity and range, directional
antennas. Multiple radios and multiple antennas within each base station can provide higher throughput by
utilizing different, non-interfering channels for each link between base stations.
A mesh network incorporates the ability to automatically locate other base stations and configure itself through
directional antennas in each base station. This capability can eliminate the need to perform detailed site surveys to
ensure that there is a LOS or adequate coverage between base stations. Adding base stations provides greater
coverage and allows alternative routes to sites that might otherwise be blocked. The additional base stations can
also increase the overall throughput available by providing duplicate links, each with its own isolated bandwidth.
However, the number of wireless hops between different points in the mesh must be carefully controlled. (For
more information, see the Network and Telecom Strategies report, “Wireless LAN Mesh: Wireless Wireless.”)
Technologies
The technologies used to provide BWA have changed over time and are still evolving. The most common
wireless technologies are discussed in the sections that follow. Some technologies, such as products based on the
pre-standard IEEE 802.20 specifications, were not designed specifically for creating a fixed broadband
infrastructure, but are finding some use in that area. Others, such as IEEE 802.11, were designed for local area
network (LAN) coverage and are being adapted to provide wide area coverage for campuses and large
metropolitan areas. The technologies discussed below include:
• Multichannel multipoint distribution systems (MMDS)
• IEEE 802.11
• IEEE 802.16
• IEEE 802.20
• IEEE 802.22
• Mobile/cellular data systems
Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Systems (MMDS)
23
MMDS, also known as wireless cable, was once considered a legitimate local-access platform for the delivery of
high-quality digital data, video, and voice services within the United States. MMDS was offered as a service, not
as a technology that an enterprise would deploy.
MMDS service was originally licensed as a one-way service providing wireless video programming. The wireless
cable industry largely failed in its effort to compete with wired-based and satellite-based video programming
providers. As a result, the FCC revised its service rules to permit MMDS and instructional television fixed service
(ITFS) spectrum to be used for bidirectional communications, opening the door for the those frequencies to be
used as a transport mechanism for high-speed Internet access.
Sprint and MCI (Now Verizon) were the largest providers of MMDS service. They ceased offering MMDS in
order to convert the spectrum to third-generation (3G) services. Nearly all the smaller MMDS operators have been
acquired by Sprint or MCI in order to gain the radio licenses for their markets. The two companies now hold
enough wireless spectrum to cover about 60% of U.S. households. However, no carriers currently offer local
multipoint distribution service (LMDS) or MMDS to new customers, although they continue to serve existing
customers. As a result, MMDS is no longer a viable last-mile data technology.
IEEE 802.11
Several vendors have released metropolitan fixed broadband systems based on 802.11a and 802.11b/g
technologies. (For more information on 802.11a and 802.11b/g, see the Network and Telecom Strategies reports,
“Wireless LANs Standards: Where Are We Now?” and “Wireless LAN Mesh: Wireless Wireless.”) These
systems are designed for use as point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, or mesh networking systems and operate in the
unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM bands.
The use of the unlicensed spectrum offers benefits, such as lower costs, and potential problems, such as
interference from other products operating in the same bands. The lower costs can be associated with not having
to pay for a spectrum license and the lower cost of the commodity chip sets resulting from the massive number of
802.11 devices. The interference issue comes from the simple fact that these frequencies are available for any
number of different devices to use, including cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, the large
numbers of 802.11 APs and clients, and other wireless products based on 802.16-2004. In addition, the 802.11
specifications were designed for local area coverage—usually in the range of about 300 feet (90 meters)—but
have been adapted for longer ranges through the use of directional antennas and higher power.
In order to utilize 802.11 for point-to-point or point-to-multipoint operations over long distances, specialized CPE
must be installed. In many cases, the antennas must be mounted external to the facility and aligned with the base
station. The recent introduction of multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antenna systems for both the base
station and the CPE has reduced the requirements for LOS between stations.
Mesh networks based on 802.11 technologies have become reasonably popular for creating wireless coverage
over large areas. Mesh networking using 802.11 standards can support extended ranges for outdoor operation
using omnidirectional antennas and normal or elevated power levels. Many of the mesh networking products are
designed to offer connectivity to mobile clients over a wide area as well as to provide connectivity between
multiple fixed sites. Mesh products offer the advantage of multiple paths between nodes while the point-to-point
and point-to-multipoint solutions have a potential single point of failure at the base station.
Most of the mesh networking products can be used for point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint
operations and to provide client connectivity over wide areas. Mesh products specifically designed for mesh-
enabled backhaul of traffic between fixed sites include the Firetide HotPort and Firetide HotPoint routers. Other
vendors whose offerings within the 802.11 standards provide client connectivity as well as backhaul between sites
include Tropos Networks, Strix Systems, BelAir Networks, SkyPilot, MeshDynamics, Motorola, and Nortel
Networks.
IEEE 802.16
24
The 802.16 standards specify the WirelessMAN Air Interface for wireless metropolitan area networks (MANs)
and address the last-mile connection for broadband networking. The standards focus on the efficient use of
bandwidth and also support mesh networking topologies. The MAC layer defined by the standard supports
multiple physical layer specifications. IEEE 802.16-based products can operate in the 10 GHz to 66 GHz licensed
frequencies bands as well as in the 2 GHz to 11 GHz bands that offer both unlicensed and licensed spectrum.
The current ratified 802.16 standards are:
• 802.16: This is the original standard that was ratified in April 2002. It defines the MAC layer and several
physical layer specifications. The MAC supports both frequency-division duplex (FDD) and time-division
duplex (TDD) and permits real-time adaptive modulation and coding to allow adjustment of the data rate as
necessary for the conditions. The spectrum defined by the physical layer of the standard includes the 10 GHz to
66 GHz range, including the LMDS bands. Because of the use of these high frequencies, the 802.16 standard is
limited to LOS applications.
• 802.16a: This amendment to the original standard extends the physical layer to the 2 GHz through 11 GHz
spectrum range and includes both licensed and unlicensed bands in the United States. The 802.16a standard
provides for three modulation techniques: single carrier, 256 orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing
(OFDM), and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA). Because of the use of these lower
frequencies and the ability of OFDM to support multipath signals, non-LOS operation is possible.
• 802.16c: This amendment to the standard is focused on the original 802.16 standards within the 10 GHz to 66
GHz range. It adds profiles, conformance standards, and test suites to the standard.
• 802.16-2004: This revision to the IEEE standard replaced IEEE Standard 802.16, 802.16a, and 802.16c with a
single specification. This is the standard that is used as a certification by the WiMAX Forum.
• 802.16e-2005: This revision to the IEEE standard enhanced the 802.16-2004 standard to support both fixed and
mobile applications. The standard is referred to as mobile WiMAX.
There is growing use of technologies based on the 802.16-2004 (WiMAX) standard for BWA in both licensed and
unlicensed bands. This technology is attractive because the standard provides higher throughput over a greater
distance than the 802.11 products, in part due to a more efficient MAC protocol.
Although 802.11 wireless LAN (WLAN)-based products are being used for point-to-multipoint networks, the
bandwidth available is considerably less than the throughput that 802.16-2004 can provide. The MAC layer of the
802.16-2004 is significantly more efficient than the corresponding 802.11 MAC, greatly reducing the overhead of
the wireless protocol. In addition, the 802.16 specifications include support for operations in both licensed and
unlicensed frequencies. The ability to use licensed spectrum that is less congested and has less interference from
outside sources should greatly improve the immunity from interference. The WiMAX vendors are touting their
products as a means for bringing true broadband connections to areas where the existing infrastructure cannot be
economically extended to support DSL or cable modem connectivity.
The 802.16-2004 standard, ratified in late 2004, provides a detailed specification for high-performance
communication between fixed locations. The theoretical bandwidth available from 802.162004 can be over 75
Mbps, with a theoretical range of up to 30 miles (approximately 48 kilometers).
Some confusion has surrounded the 802.16 specifications. The previous version, 802.16-2004, is referred to as
“fixed WiMAX.” Fixed WiMAX is specifically designed for connecting fixed locations and consolidates the
previous versions of the 802.16 standards into a single, unified structure. Fixed WiMAX is quite appropriate for
fixed infrastructure networks as well as for providing broadband wireless networking capabilities to homes and
businesses.
The latest iteration of the standard, 802.16e, is aimed at adding mobility to the capabilities and is referred to as
“mobile WiMAX.” This specification allows mobile devices, such as laptops and personal digital assistants, to
maintain a constant connection to the wireless network as they are moved about—including at automobile and
train transportation speeds. However, 802.16e can also support fixed WiMAX applications, and therein lies the
confusion. Although the 802.16e standard is generally referred to as Mobile WiMAX, the underlying technology
will also be used for fixed WiMAX applications.
25
802.16 MAC Layer
The 802.16 MAC layer was designed to support point-to-multipoint connections. This layer can support
symmetric, high-speed connections between base stations and mobile devices. Because base stations are shared
resources, the MAC must scale to support hundreds of devices running everything from legacy voice and data
protocols and Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, to Voice over IP (VoIP). Both licensed and unlicensed spectrum
are supported. All of these MAC layer features are incorporated into the current version of the standard providing
a unified MAC layer for a wide variety of frequencies.
The 802.16 MAC dynamically assigns bandwidth to devices using time-division multiple access (TDMA). This is
much different from the 802.11 MAC, which uses carrier sensing and contention mechanisms to provide
bandwidth control. The use of TDMA provides better control of user bandwidth and allows different users to be
provided with varying levels of throughput. The 802.16 MAC is connection oriented, full duplex, and centralizes
control in the base station. The 802.11 MAC is connectionless, half duplex, and distributes control among all of
the stations and the APs.
As with all wireless technologies, security is a concern for 802.16 connections. The standard calls for Triple Data
Encryption Standard (3DES) features to support secure transmissions and authentication, and will be moving to
the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
QoS
The 802.16 MAC provides differentiated quality of service (QoS) to support various applications. For example,
while voice and video can tolerate some errors, they require low latency. On the other hand, for most data
applications, latency is not critical, but error rates must be low. The 802.16 standard accommodates different
applications by using features in the MAC layer rather than by using overlay control functions.
Although previous systems use fixed modulation techniques, the 802.16 standard supports adaptive modulation,
allowing data rates to be balanced based on link quality. The method of modulation adjusts almost instantaneously
for optimum data transfer. The 802.16 standard also allows for control of the power settings on CPE to optimize
data transmission.
802.16 Physical Layer for 10 GHz to 66 GHz

The original 802.16 standard defined the operation in licensed spectrum ranging from 10 GHz to 66 GHz and
transmission speeds at data rates up to 120 Mbps. Operation at these frequencies requires LOS transmission,
which limits 802.16 to connections between fixed sites. The multipoint nature of the MAC layer allows hundreds
of fixed sites to share a single base station within approximately a 30mile range.
FDD and TDD operations are both supported by the standard. Cellular networks and legacy systems use FDD.
FDD requires two channel pairs that are separated to minimize interference—one for transmission and one for
reception.
In regulatory environments where channel pairs do not exist, TDD uses a single channel for both upstream and
downstream transmissions. A TDD system can dynamically allocate upstream and downstream bandwidth
depending on traffic.
802.16 Physical Layer for 2 GHz Through 11 GHz

The 802.16a standard, approved in January 2003, creates non-LOS access and supports mesh architectures. The
802.16a physical layer operates in the licensed and unlicensed frequencies between 2 GHz and 11 GHz using
OFDM, which is the same modulation used by the 802.11a and 802.11g WLAN standards. The 802.16 MAC
layer is used by 802.16a-based systems. The WiMAX Forum is working to promote the standard's deployment.
Both the 802.16 and the 802.16a physical layer specifications have been incorporated into the 802.16-2004
standard.
26
Obstacles such as trees and buildings frequently block signal paths in urban areas and some rural areas. Non-LOS
performance is greatly improved with 802.16a, and rather than being affected by multipath interference, 802.16a
uses it to enhance reception. Even with no direct LOS between the base station and the subscriber, signals can be
received after they take an indirect path reflecting off buildings or other obstructions.
Operation in frequencies below 11 GHz limits throughput to around 75 Mbps but allows a range of 30 miles.
Support for advanced antenna techniques will allow improved range and capacity as needed. Low latency
supports delay-sensitive applications, such as video or VoIP and prioritization for data traffic.
The 802.16-2004 standard is rapidly being implemented for point-to-multipoint BWA solutions. Some of the
WISPs offering services include TowerStream, Speakeasy, NextWeb, and Futura Technologies. TowerStream has
provided coverage for New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and other cities. There are also
deployments worldwide, including Russia, Slovakia, and India, with Siemens being actively involved in
deployments in Europe.
The WiMAX Forum

In order to promote the 802.16 standards and ensure interoperability, companies such as Airspan Networks,
Alvarion, Intel, Nokia, Proxim, and Wi-LAN formed the WiMAX Forum. (See
http://www.wimaxforum.org/about/roster/ for a full list of current members.) In many respects, the WiMAX
Forum hopes to do for 802.16 what the Wi-Fi Alliance did for 802.11. The WiMAX Forum's mission is to
promote deployment of 802.16-based BWA networks and certify interoperability of 802.16 products and
technologies.
The WiMAX Forum is composed of equipment vendors, WISPs, and service providers committed to
interoperability of all BWA products. By specifying minimum air-interface specifications, WiMAX fosters a
more competitive marketplace where feature differentiation will determine leadership, rather than competing
technologies. The WiMAX Forum will:
• Support the IEEE 802.16 standard
• Propose and promote access profiles for the IEEE 802.16 standard
• Certify interoperability across the network
• Achieve global acceptance
• Promote use of BWA in general
For enterprises and carriers, this means interoperability between equipment vendors and the ability to select best-
of-breed products. Equipment vendors will need to produce fewer varieties of equipment, and the market in which
they compete will be larger and more uniform. Users will benefit by rapid rollouts of services, which will reach
more remote areas.
HiperMAN and WiBro

Two additional standards exist that are compatible with the 802.16 products; these are the High Performance
Radio Metropolitan Area Network (HiperMAN) standard out of the European Telecommunications Standards
Institute (ETSI) and the Wireless Broadband (WiBro) standards from Korea.
The ETSI/BRAN (Broadband Radio Access Networks) effort to create a European BWA standard, HiperMAN,
was integrated with the IEEE 802 specifications. ETSI HiperMAN is word-for-word equivalent to 802.16e-2005.
WiBro, originally proposed by Samsung, is based on 802.16-2004 and was ratified by the Telecommunications
Technology Association of Korea in late 2004. Since that time, TTA and the IEEE harmonized both standards.
WiBro is now a complete subset of the 802.16 standard. The WiBro Air Interface Specification is fully
compatible with IEEE 802.16e.
The WiBro and HiperMAN agreements will create a single global standard for wireless MAN technology.
27
IEEE 802.22
This IEEE working group from was initiated in late 2004. Their charter is to define a standard for Wireless
Regional Area Networks (WRANs) utilizing unused channels in the very high frequency/ultra high frequency
(VHF/UHF) TV bands in the 54 MHz and 862 MHz range in the United States. The focus is on providing
bidirectional BWA in point-to-multipoint environments. One of the advantages of using this frequency range is
that it can provide a long range—25 miles (40 km) or more—and also offers excellent signal penetration of
buildings. This would allow CPE to be deployed within a facility without requiring an external antenna.
28
Conclusion
Fixed broadband wireless access (BWA) technology has been used for many years to provide last mile
communication in rural and underdeveloped areas around the world where wireline facilities do not exist. Even in
major metropolitan centers, the availability of reasonably priced, high-speed wired connections has not always
kept up with business requirements. The number of technology options available for fixed BWA applications has
expanded significantly in recent years but will ultimately be dominated by the 802.16e-2005 standard.
29
Notes
1 “WiMAX Forum Launches Certification Program.” WiMaxxed. 27 Apr 2005.
http://www.wimaxxed.com/wimaxxed_news/20050427/wimax_forum_lau.html.
2 “List of Deployed HSDPA Networks.” Wikipedia. Accessed online 27 Jan 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Deployed_HSDPA_networks.
3 “700 MHz Public Safety Spectrum.” Federal Communications Commission. Accessed online 6 Feb 2007.
http://wireless.fcc.gov/publicsafety/700MHz/.
4 “900 MHz Metro Nets.” dailywireless.org. Accessed online 6 Feb 2007. Posted online 26 Jan 2006.
http://www.dailywireless.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=5134.
5 “XM Buys 2.3 GHz” dailywireless.org. Accessed online 6 Feb 2007. Posted online 13 Jul 2005.
http://www.dailywireless.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4394.
6 Bob O'Hara, Al Petrick. IEEE 802.11 Handbook: A Designer's Companion, 2nd edition. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE
Publications, 2005.
7 “Considerations for Deploying Mobile WiMAX at Various Frequencies.” Nortel Networks. 2006.
www.nortel.com/solutions/wimax/collateral/nn115440.pdf.
8 Mark Rockwell. “Putting the Final Touches on EBS.” Wireless Week. 1 May 2006.
http://www.wirelessweek.com/article/CA6330024.html?spacedesc=Features.
9 “WiMAX Deployment Considerations for Fixed Wireless Access in the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Licensed Bands.”
WiMAX Forum. Jun 2005.
http://www.wimaxforum.org/technology/downloads/DeploymentConsiderations_White_PaperRev_1_4.pdf.
10 Jeff Orr (WiMAX Forum marketing director). Interview with Paul DeBeasi. Personal interview conducted in
person. 12 Oct 2006.
11 Annie Lindstrom. “WiMAX Vendors Piqued by FCC's 3.65 GHz Order.” Broadband Wireless Online. Jul/Aug
2005. http://www.broadband-wireless.com/magazine/volume.asp?vol=52&story=478.
12 “FCC Designates 4.9 GHz Band for Use in Support of Public Safety and Proposes Licensing and Service
Rules.” Federal Communications Commission. 14 Feb 2002.
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/News_Releases/2002/nrwl0202.html.
13 “Deploying License-Exempt WiMAX Solutions.” Intel. 2005.
http://www.intel.com/netcomms/technologies/wimax/306013.pdf.
30
Related Research and Recommended Reading
Carl Eklund, Roger B. Marks, Subbu Ponnuswamy, Kenneth L. Stanwood, Nico J.M. Van Waes. WirelessMAN,
Inside the IEEE 802.16 Standard for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE Press, 2006.
(This excellent book provides a comprehensive explanation of the IEEE 802.16 fixed WiMAX standard. The
book mirrors the scope and detail provided by the Matthew S. Gast book for the 802.11 standard.)
Matthew S. Gast. 802.11 Wireless Networks: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media,
2005. (This aptly titled book provides in-depth coverage of 802.11 networking.)
Network and Telecom Strategies report, “Mobile Data Services: So Many Choices.”
Network and Telecom Strategies report, “The Wild World of WISPs.”
Network and Telecom Strategies report, “Wireless LAN Mesh: Wireless Wireless.”
Network and Telecom Strategies report, “Wireless LANs Standards: Where Are We Now?”
Bob O'Hara, Al Petrick. IEEE 802.11 Handbook: A Designer's Companion, 2nd Edition. Piscataway, NJ: IEEE
Press, 2005. (This book is intended for system designers and delves into the 802.11 engineering details.)
Ron Schmitt. Electromagnetics Explained: A Handbook for Wireless/RF, EMC, and High-Speed Electronics, Part
of the EDN Series for Design Engineers. Burlington, MA: Newnes/Elsevier Publications, 2002. (This is an
engineering book about RF technology.)
Jack Unger. Deploying License-Free Wireless Wide-Area Networks, 1st Edition. Indianapolis, IN: Cisco Press,
2003. (This book provides practical advice to network engineers that must deploy WISP networks.)
Carl J. Weisman. The Essential Guide to RF and Wireless, 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
PTR, 2002. (This is a non-engineering book about RF technology. Using an easy-to-read style, the author broadly
discusses a wide range of RF technology while also getting into depth on the key underlying RF components.)
31
Author Bio
Paul DeBeasi
Senior Analyst
Emphasis: Wireless and mobility
Background: Over 25 years of experience in the networking industry. Previously, founded ClearChoice Advisors, a
wireless advisory firm, and was the VP Product Marketing at Legra Systems, a wireless-switch provider.
Primary Distinctions: Helped Bell Laboratories, Prime Computer and Chipcom Corporation to develop profitable
networking products. Successfully contributed to Cascade Communication’s revenue growth as the Frame Relay
Business Manager. Assisted in launching networking startups IPHighway and ONEX Communications into highly
competitive markets. Holds a BS degree in Systems Engineering from Boston University and a Master of
Engineering degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University.
32

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Network and Telecom Strategies

In-Depth Research Report

Fixed Broadband Wireless Access

Wireless and Mobility

Figure 1: Fixed BWA Overview (Source: Pacific Communications)

Need for BWA Technology

Evolution of BWA Technology

Competing BWA Technologies

IEEE 802.16 Market Dynamics

Figure 2: WiMAX Deployments and Investment (Source: Rethink Research)

Proprietary BWA Technology

Comparing the Competing Technologies

When to Consider Using BWA Technology

Selecting BWA Equipment

Spectrum: Licensed and Unlicensed

Frequency License Usage and regional allocation

• Public safety spectrum3

• Cordless telephones, baby monitors, home security4

• WiBro services—SK Telecom and Korea Telecom

• 802.16 fixed, most of world (except the United States)10

• May be used for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) in

• Public Safety Band12

• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile13

• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile

• 802.11a, 802.11n, 802.16 fixed/mobile

Table 1: Common Frequency Bands

Figure 5: BWA Equipment (Source: Pacific Communications)

Figure 7: BreezeMAX CPE (Source: Alvarion)

Figure 8: Canopy Advantage AP (Source: Motorola)

Figure 9: Backhaul Point-to-Point Connection (Source: Pacific Communications)

Figure 11: Point-to-Point

Multichannel Multipoint Distribution Systems (MMDS)

802.16 Physical Layer for 10 GHz to 66 GHz

802.16 Physical Layer for 2 GHz Through 11 GHz

The WiMAX Forum

HiperMAN and WiBro

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