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 IEEE - The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers or IEEE (pronounced as eye-triple-e) is an international non-profit, professional organization for the advancement of technology related to electricity. We cover 802.16, 802.16e vs 802.20, 802.20 and mobile broadband.
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802.16e vs 802.20. There is clearly some overlap between the 802.16e vs 802.20, but the party line from companies involved in the 802.20 standards effort are not competitive.
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The 802.16e vs. 802.20 Debate
The emerging 802.16e and 802.20 standards will both specify new mobile air interfaces for wireless broadband. On the
surface the two standards seem very similar, why 802.16e vs 802.20 because there are some important differences between them. For one, 802.16e
will add mobility in the 2 to 6 GHz licensed bands, while 802.20 aims for operation in licensed bands below 3.5GHz.
More importantly, the 802.16e specification will be based on an existing standard (802.16a), while 802.20 is starting
from scratch. This means that products based on 16e will likely hit the market well before .20 solutions -- a distinct
advantage for the WiMax Forum, the group currently backing 802.16 and its permutations.
The IEEE approved the 802.16e standards effort with the avowed intent of increasing the use of broadband wireless access
(BWA) by taking advantage of the "inherent mobility of wireless media." The amendment to 802.16, which is also called
the wireless metropolitan area network (MAN) standard, will enable a single base station to support both fixed and
mobile BWA. It aims to fill the gap between high data rate wireless local area networks (WLAN) and high mobility
cellular wide area networks (WAN).
The 802.20 interface seeks to boost real-time data transmission rates in wireless metropolitan area networks to speeds
that rival DSL and cable connections (1Mbps or more) based on cell ranges of up to 15 kilometers or more, and it plans
to deliver those rates to mobile users even when they are traveling at speeds up to 250 kilometers per hour (155 miles
per hour). This would make 802.20 an option for deployment in high-speed trains. The 802.16e project authorization
request specifies only that it will "support subscriber stations moving at vehicular speeds".
There is clearly some overlap between the 802.16e vs 802.20, but the party line from companies involved in the 802.20
standards effort are not competitive.
Essentially, 802.16e is looking at the mobile user walking around with a PDA or laptop, while 802.20 will address
high-speed mobility issues. "802.20 is looking at more ubiquitous coverage ... and that will require a larger
footprint."
The 802.16e vs 802.20 arguement is that 802.20 is a direct competitor to third-generation (3G) wireless cellular technologies. Operators could
deploy 802.20 as an overlay to their existing networks. "They don't have to walk away from what they have."
For more 802.16e vs 802.20 information, articals and wireless broadband technology refer to the links found in the right of this page.
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The most relevant links we could find, placed here free
 Wi-Fi Planet
- 802.16e vs 802.20, the emerging 802.16e and 802.20 standards will both specify new mobile air interfaces for wireless broadband. www.wi-fiplanet.com
Unstrung
- 802.16e vs 802.20, the world wide source for analysis of the global wireless economy. www.unstrung.com
Wi-Fi Net News
- The 802.16e vs 802.20 battle is on by Nancy Gohring. www.wifinetnews.com
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Site written by Carl Fishburn