WiMAX as a Military Technology? February 21, 2008
Posted by Ari Zoldan in Word on the Street Is....trackback
Nortel Government Solutions is working with the US Department of Defense to explore possibilities for military use of WiMAX. An ideal situation for the Department of Defense would be a powerful wireless network that could instantly connect “anytime, anywhere” whether in the air, on the ground, or at sea. One vision of the use of WiMAX is quoted as follows from WiMAX Day:
In the arena of military tactics, WiMAX can be used to establish “links between temporary camps and command centres…. quick connections between camps and vehicles,” and with mobile WiMAX 802.16e “will allow constant communication with vehicles moving up to 60 miles per hour on the battlefield.” This is similar to a system that was developed for the Command Operations Center (COC) of the US Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) where WiMAX was integrated into mobile command units, combined with tactical radio and satellite systems.
This exploration is not just being undertaken by the United States. The French military has already arranged for the use of WiMAX via French WiMAX operator TDF. The Department of Defense is still waiting for “some standards to mature,” according to WiMAX Day. Whether or not WiMAX is adopted as part of a new technological strategy depends on how the technology evolves and the overall future of the standard.
Technorati Tags: WiMAX, US Department of Defense, military technology, Ari Zoldan
Ari Zoldan
Launch 3 Communications
Going WiMAX 
In the US, both Cable and DSL are growing extremely fast, but are not available for all customers. Rural and remote areas often lack broadband choices if any are available at all. When they are available, the DSL or cable plant may only exist within the town limits with no service outside the city limits. This offers a compelling argument that low-cost WiMAX gear can leverage access to many new customers. WiMAX also promises a whole new level of data access flexibility that will be much less location specific for customers. This type of robust mobile, portable or fixed broadband access will be unprecedented.