What is the difference between WiMAX and Wi-Fi?

Wireless technology is a form of technology that is important to us all. It is how we are able to connect virtually, whether for school, work, or social needs. WiMAX and Wi-Fi are two types of wireless technologies. WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.

This type of wireless technology is useful for longer ranges. It can range up to 30 km and is useful for those that may want to use the technology in cars. Wi-Fi stands for Wireless Fidelity. This is the technology that is found in most homes in schools to allow people to connect to the internet.

Wifi or Wireless Fidelity and WiMax or Wireless Interoperability for Microwave Access are two technologies used to create network connections. One of the ways to differentiate between Wi-Fi and WiMax is to compare the kind of technology used in the two. Unlike Wifi that uses radio waves to connect devices to the internet, WiMax uses spectrum to create a wireless network connection.

Wi-Fi is a short-range wireless data transmission based under the IEEE 802.11 standards. WiMax is a technology-based under IEEE 802.16 standards. Unlike Wi-Fi, WiMax provides wireless data and connection over long distances.

This is why Wi-Fi is suitable for LAN or Local Area Network applications, whereas WiMax is suitable for MAN or Metropolitan Area Network applications. With WiMax, the quality of service is guaranteed, where Wi-Fi does not provide a stronger connection, especially to distant places. WiMax can create network connections that can cover up to 90 km, whereas Wi-Fi can only cover up to 100 meters.

WiMAX and Wi-Fi are wireless technologies. WiMAX is an abbreviation, which means Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, while the abbreviation Wi-Fi means Wireless Fidelity. They can be distinguished from each other in several ways. One main difference between them is the range of their operation. WiMAX can actually be used for long ranges.

This is because it provides broadband connectivity up to long ranges, up to about 30 km. This service is usually provided from a particularly central location, while the connectivity is outside or inside a service radius, which includes people moving in cars, and so on.

While Wi-Fi, on the other hand, is used for the provision of connectivity to a smaller range, which is just about 250m. It is used to provide connectivity to very short ranges, such as within a home or office. WiMAX employs the use of MAC protocol, which is connection-oriented, but the Wi-Fi connection is based on CSMA/CA.

WiMAX or “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access” and Wi-Fi or Wireless Fidelity are both wireless technologies, but there are some differences between the two. One of the ways to differentiate between WiMAX and Wi-Fi is by comparing the range that the two wireless technologies can cover.

WiMAX has a higher coverage compared to Wi-Fi. People that live 30km away from its central location can still connect to WiMAX. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, does not cover up to 30km; it can only cover shorter ranges. For instance, Wi-Fi is commonly used in offices and homes. WiMAX comes in two different versions i.e., mobile (802.16m) and fixed versions (802.16d, and 802.16e).

The fixed version is used in offices and homes, while the mobile version works like the GSM and CDMA technologies. Wi-Fi also comes in different versions i.e., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. While Wi-Fi can use an unlicensed spectrum, WiMAX always uses a licensed spectrum.