WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a certification standard for wireless networking products that conform to what is known as the the IEEE 802.16 standards. It's championed by various IT industry stalwarts like Intel and Motorola. WiMax promises to equip users with mobile wireless broadband Internet access with a range of a few kilometres.

The point to note is that WiMax is not a single technology but a family of technologies that includes fixed WiMax, technically designated as 802.16d-2004 and mobile WiMax which is known as 802.16e-2005. While certified fixed WiMax equipment have been available since the start of last year, mobile WiMax is more of a problem as the technology is less specified than comparable 3G broadband technologies. WiMax access speeds of up to 10 megabits per second (Mbps) can be expected.

Mesh WiFi is effectively a network of WiFi hotspots. A user can jump from one hotspot to another seamlessly while on the move, much like cell phone connections jump from one base station to another without the user noticing it. Under Wireless@SG, an initiative to provide wireless broadband across Singapore, operators are obliged to provide free access speeds of 512 kilobits per second (kbps).

Finally, HSDPA (high speed data packet access), enhances 3G access speed several fold and is often referred to 3.5G. While 3G typically gives access speeds in the region of 384 kilobits per second (kbps), HSDPA is expected to access speeds of several megabits per second.

Telco M1, which has already introduced HSDPA services, says it is capable of providing 3.6 Mbps through its HSDPA modems. SingTel and StarHub have also indicated that their services would also provide a access speeds of 3.6 Mbps.

This article first appeared in BT on January 08, 2007