Routers and Towers: The Differences Between Wi-Fi and WiMax Service

Published: 17th June 2011
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Sometimes, technology tends to bleed together in the minds of those who aren't specializing in it. And that makes perfect sense on the surface; why focus one's time and energy on something that is not ultimately going to result in making some cash? There's already so much cramming that is done in the workplace or in academia, what's the point in learning about the nuts and bolts of how something that is used everyday works? Sure, these are valid ways to be looking at how things are in the world of surfing the web, but the fact is that even those who aren't going to be making their own computers need to realize just how much the options available to get online manage to inform how one's daily experience is while on the world wide web.

Think back to the days of dial-up, and that moment when DSL and ethernet suddenly swept in and offered a superior method for actually being able to do the same things, only faster. It would have been incredibly rash to have assumed that it made sense to stick with the old guard. The same kind of thing is happening these days with wireless internet and WiMax, only people aren't interested in learning the actual difference; they just want to spend the least amount of time possible thinking about the way that these things work.


Fortunately, actually being educated in the ways of Wi-Fi and its speedier next-generation version doesn't require doing a ton of reading; it is as simple as looking at the main pieces that make things work. When it comes to wireless internet, the main thing in question is called a router. It takes that ethernet cord with all of the data zipping back and forth, and it manages to turn that signal into something that can be transported wirelessly, meaning it beams to multiple devices. Smartphones and laptops alike can use it to get data moving back and forth, meaning that those who are in coffeeshops or other hot spots are able to work without needing to be plugged directly in.

Sounds great, right? Well, it is, except for the fact that those routers have a limited range. This means that one needs to be right next to the device to have the strongest signal, and when there are tons of people right next to it, the signal power is going to peter out, too, since it cannot handle too much traffic. Not so with WiMax, since that network is one run on towers. The towers are able to beam signals upwards of dozens of miles, and since one tower can pick up another tower's signal, users are never without the power to send and receive information.


It's also worth pointing out that, since the system being used is practically the same one that powers cell phone conversations, there's not much to be baffled by. This might make it even easier for those who are sometimes reluctant about technology to go ahead and make the leap, realizing that there sometimes is a clear winner when it comes to staying in touch, and in this situation, that winner is the person who gets rid of Wi-Fi and makes the upgrade.

CLEAR WIRELESS INTERNET deals mean there's no reason to not be leaping forward to better web access.

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