Is Wireless replacing DSL?

April 2008

The emerging powerhouse economies of India and China will not be running widespread DSL. They don't have the copper in the ground and at current metal prices they will not be rushing to lay cable any time soon. Already mobile phone technology has enabled these countries to leapfrog the West's twentieth century phone networks. Their first generation of data communications technology will be largely wireless. In Australia Telstra is increasingly looking to maximise profitability from its copper which is driving our next generation towards wireless too.

This newsletter focuses on the 802.16d standard (WiMAX where the customer access point is fixed) not 802.16e standard (for a mobile device such as a mobile phone, PDA, or laptop).

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) as a technology.


The WiMAX Forum defines it as a standards-based technology to deliver last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to wired broadband like cable and DSL. WiMAX provides fixed, and soon, mobile wireless broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight with a base station. In a typical cell radius of three to ten kilometres, WiMAX systems currently deliver up to 10 Mbps in Australia.

WiMAX™ is based upon the IEEE 802.16 standard that delivers wireless services anytime, anywhere. WiMAX technology has already been incorporated in notebook computers and PDAs.

Customers connect to the WiMAX network through an integrated external subscriber unit connected to the customer’s computer equipment by a standard network cable. The subscriber units then connect wirelessly to base stations. Backhaul from the base station to the core is typically a fibre optic link with wireless backup. Base stations provide a service radius in excess of 10 kilometres, and need to have a “near line of sight” to customer’s subscriber units.

Read on for a detailed analysis of wired and wireless broadband or enter online for the best connectivity solution tailored to your requirements.