Whatever Happened to WiMAX?
Is the notion that WiMAX is dead warranted?
In recent times, WiMAX has found itself at a crossroads, with diverging opinions on its relevance and future prospects. A pivotal moment came when Greg Kroah-Hartman, renowned for maintaining the stable branch of the Linux kernel, decided to remove WiMAX support from the Linux operating system. This move reflects a broader sentiment within the tech community, but it is essential to consider all facets of this technology's journey.
WiMAX, once hailed as a promising alternative for last-mile broadband access and fast mobile connectivity, has seen its star fade in the face of technologies like 4G and LTE in the UK and US. What was once seen as a potential game-changer has become, for all intents and purposes, a relic of the past. Even former Intel CEO Craig Barrett's lofty vision of WiMAX serving "one billion" users by 2008 fell far short of reality.
The removal of WiMAX technology from the Linux kernel in version 5.13 was a symbolic act, removing approximately 15,000 lines of code and marking the end of an era. Greg Kroah-Hartman suggested that if there is any hope for a WiMAX revival in the future, it can start with reverting the removal patch. However, the prospects for such a revival remain uncertain, given the strong momentum behind 4G and LTE technologies.
In the wake of WiMAX's removal from the Linux kernel, the technology's decline seemed all but confirmed. However, this pivotal moment in WiMAX's history is not the only indication of its diminishing influence. Clearwire, once a staunch supporter of WiMAX, has recently made a strategic decision that further underscores the challenges facing this technology. Clearwire's transition to LTE technology serves as a tangible example of the shifting tides in the mobile broadband industry and prompts a deeper examination of the factors contributing to WiMAX's decline. This shift reflects the growing consensus that LTE has emerged as the primary winner in the 4G mobile broadband market. It is a move that is crucial for the company's survival in a rapidly evolving landscape.
But what led to WiMAX's decline? Excessive hype undoubtedly played a role, as did its failure to offer a true competitive edge in comparison to 4G and LTE technologies. The author's predictions regarding WiMAX's decline were not unfounded, as the technology had been showing signs of weakening for years. LTE's dominance as the 4G standard of choice for many telecom operators further solidified WiMAX's descent into obsolescence.
Given these developments, it is reasonable to advise against further strategic investment in mobile WiMAX. LTE, with its broader industry support and superior performance, is better positioned to serve both enterprise users and consumers. It offers a more stable and future-proof solution for high-speed mobile connectivity.
However, it's important to recognize that WiMAX has not entirely disappeared from the scene. Recent news from Nepal Telecom about the launch of a WiMAX network in the Kathmandu Valley targeting business clients is a testament to this fact. While WiMAX network launches have become increasingly rare, it is a reminder that the technology can still find relevance in specific contexts.
Moreover, the WiMAX Forum, acknowledging the evolving landscape, has updated its roadmap to accommodate a broader range of radio access technologies, including TD-LTE. While the shift towards TD-LTE is evident, the forum emphasizes that WiMAX and LTE can coexist. Some WiMAX operators see TD-LTE as a complementary service rather than a replacement, serving different customer segments.
To recap, WiMAX's decline is undeniable, especially in the face of LTE's dominance. However, it would be premature to declare it entirely obsolete. The transition from WiMAX to TD-LTE is expected to be gradual, with both technologies coexisting for the foreseeable future. As the tech landscape continues to evolve, it is interesting to consider the possibility that WiMAX may still find its niche in certain markets and applications.
Sources/Further Reading
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2021/03/22/wimax_linux/
[2] https://www.networkworld.com/article/2220370/wimax-is-dead.html
[3] https://www.fiercewireless.com/europe/wimax-not-dead-and-buried