Editing WiMAX (section)

=== Comparison ===
Comparisons and confusion between WiMAX and [[Wi-Fi]] are frequent, because both are related to wireless connectivity and Internet access.<ref>[http://www.circleid.com/posts/92208_wimax_vs_wifi/ WiMAX vs. WiFi] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123215518/http://www.circleid.com/posts/92208_wimax_vs_wifi |date=2010-11-23 }}. Circleid.com (2008-02-20). Retrieved on 2013-09-18.</ref>

* WiMAX is a long range system, covering many kilometres, that uses licensed or unlicensed spectrum to deliver connection to a network, in most cases the Internet.
* Wi-Fi uses the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz radio frequency bands to provide access to a local network.
* Wi-Fi is far more popular in end-user devices.
* Wi-Fi runs on the [[Media access control|Media Access Control]]'s [[Carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance|CSMA/CA]] protocol, which is connectionless and contention based, whereas WiMAX runs a connection-oriented MAC.
* WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different QoS mechanisms:
** WiMAX uses a QoS mechanism based on connections between the base station and the user device. Each connection is based on specific scheduling algorithms.
** Wi-Fi uses [[Contention (telecommunications)|contention]] access — all subscriber stations that wish to pass data through a [[wireless access point]] (AP) are competing for the AP's attention on a random interrupt basis. This can cause subscriber stations distant from the AP to be repeatedly interrupted by closer stations, greatly reducing their throughput.
* Both [[IEEE 802.11]], which includes Wi-Fi, and [[IEEE 802.16]], which includes WiMAX, define [[Peer-to-peer|Peer-to-Peer (P2P)]] and [[wireless ad hoc network]]s, where an end user communicates to users or servers on another [[Local area network|Local Area Network]] (LAN) using its [[Wireless access point|access point]] or [[base station]]. However, 802.11 supports also direct ad hoc or peer to peer networking between end user devices without an access point while 802.16 end user devices must be in range of the base station.

Although Wi-Fi and WiMAX are designed for different situations, they are complementary. WiMAX network operators typically provide a WiMAX Subscriber Unit that connects to the metropolitan WiMAX network and provides Wi-Fi connectivity within the home or business for computers and smartphones. This enables the user to place the WiMAX Subscriber Unit in the best reception area, such as a window, and have date access throughout their property.