| There are four technologies that classify into what is | | | | and Sprint to bring WiMax to two New York cities by |
| considered as 4G wireless broadband: WiMax | | | | the end of summer. |
| (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), | | | | Similar to WiFi, WiMax can be used by desktops, |
| LTE (Long Term Evolution), UMB (Ultra Mobile | | | | portables, and handheld mobile devices. ASUS, Dell, HP, |
| Broadband) and Flash OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency | | | | MSI, Samsung, and Toshiba, are just some of the |
| Division-Multiplexing). Among the four, WiMax and LTE | | | | netbook and laptop manufacturers that have already |
| are already being deployed, with LTE by Verizon | | | | come-out with WiMax ready lines. Other |
| expected to rollout to selected areas by the end of | | | | manufacturers are expected to follow suit and release |
| 2010, and with WiMax already made available in some | | | | their own WiMax ready portables. Although WiMax |
| parts of the country. Clearwire has already made | | | | ready desktops are not yet rolled-out, an option to |
| WiMax available in 32 markets in the country, reaching | | | | connect through WiMax is by using a USB dongle that |
| around 41 million people. It is planning to expand its | | | | can also be used for laptops that are not WiMax |
| coverage to reach 120 million people by the end of | | | | ready yet. For mobile phones, there is only one WiMax |
| 2010. | | | | ready model so far, the HTC Supersonic from Sprint |
| Majority of Clearwire is owned by Sprint which is an | | | | that was released last March. As more and more |
| authorized retailer reselling WiMax under Sprint 4G. | | | | phone and cable companies make the service |
| Cable companies are also out to resell the service. | | | | available to more subscribers, we can expect that |
| This summer alone, Clearwire, Sprint, and Comcast are | | | | most, if not all laptops, desktops, and mobile phones will |
| expected to offer the service in 15 new markets in | | | | be WiMax ready considering that Intel is one of the |
| selected cities in Oregon, Michigan, Delaware, California, | | | | member companies of the WiMax Forum, the |
| Utah, Kansas, Tennessee, and Florida. Time Warner is | | | | non-profit organization that promotes the use of |
| also an authorized retailer, partnering with Clearwire | | | | WiMax, and certifies WiMax compliant devices. |