High-speed wireless transmission of data. What is "high" speed is always a changing number. Wireless systems are typically slower than land-based, wireline networks. In the past, wireless broadband started at 250 Kbps, whereas land-based broadband was generally considered to start at T1 rates (1.5 Mbps). Subsequent 3G wireless systems have exceeded T1 rates, although land-based optical networks have reached 10 Gbps and beyond.
WLANs and WWANs
Wireless broadband falls into local and wide area categories. Wireless LANs (WLANs), such as the ubiquitous 802.11 Wi-Fi networks, transmit their signals within several hundred feet. Wireless WANs (WWANs), provided by the EDGE and EV-DO offerings of the cellular industry, span several miles. Technologies such as WiMAX are designed to span 30 miles and more. See 802.11, 802.16, cellular generations and broadband.
WLANs and WWANs
Wireless broadband falls into local and wide area categories. Wireless LANs (WLANs), such as the ubiquitous 802.11 Wi-Fi networks, transmit their signals within several hundred feet. Wireless WANs (WWANs), provided by the EDGE and EV-DO offerings of the cellular industry, span several miles. Technologies such as WiMAX are designed to span 30 miles and more. See 802.11, 802.16, cellular generations and broadband.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2007 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
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