WiMAX – Indonesia Market Perspective

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperatibility for Microwave Access) is a new telecommunication technology standard that currently being put into debate amongst public, industry players and regulator. Some rumors said that once this technology will be deployed, it will effect to 3G (Third Generation) incumbent player’s investment and business since this technology is being told as equal to 3.5G. However the WiMAX technology can not be compared to 3/3.5G standard but Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) standard.

Compared to WiMAX, Wi-Fi hotspot is having limited signal of coverage area with maximum 4-6 miles in radius, depends upon the antenna type used. This Wi-Fi hotspot can be easily found as value added services given by some modern lifestyle areas such as restaurants, cafes, education, malls, etc in-order to strengthen its customer loyalty and increasing profit.

What actually WiMAX is?

WiMAX is a technology standard that enables the interoperatibility amongst devices included in the category IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.16. The word of “WiMAX” is created in-order it is easier to be understood by public in replacing more technical IEEE 802.16 term. WiMAX as the standard for broadband wireless access may have larger coverage and as an alternative solution for broadband connectivity of cable and DSL (Direct Subscriber Line).

The interoperatibility of WiMAX. How?

WiMAX is working like normal microwave radio propagation with claimed coverage area up to 3,000 square miles (approximately 7,700 square kilometers). Besides radio microwave access, WiMAX tower station can make direct connection to internet through high bandwidth telephone cable network. Another advantage of WiMAX is that its Non-Line-Of-Sight capability which enables it to have interoperatibility with Wi-Fi networks at lower frequency of 2 - 11 GHz. This short wave transmission is having good capability to overcome physical obstacles, such as building walls or other obstacle things that may block radio wave propagation.

Another rumor is regarding the ambiguity of unproven reliability of Wi-MAX as still there is few success stories in the market and immature technology development, meanwhile the spectrum allocation regulation is yet to be finalized by the Indonesia government. Therefore the government had two times held public consultations in-order to make more fair and clear direction on the band migration and determination for new broadband wireless connectivity spectrum allocation.

The current investment cost of WiMAX is being perceived by market as still “higher”. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is being told as the new equal 4G technology that might shift the role of this WiMAX technology. Anyway through WiMAX we may soon entering the revolutionary internet wireless broadband connectivity via our mobile phone, whereby Indonesia is one of the biggest potential market countries on the planet of earth. Affordable WiMAX mobile handset manufacturer shall be the one who will enjoy this mass market opportunity. So get ready everybody!