Different frequency usage
The IEEE 802.16 WiMAX standard allows data transmission using multiple broadband frequency ranges. The original 802.16a standard specified transmissions in the range 10 - 66 GHz, but 802.16d allowed lower frequencies in the range 2 to 11 GHz. The lower frequencies used in the later specifications means that the signals suffer less from attenuation and therefore they provide improved range and better coverage within buildings. This brings many benefits to those using these data links within buildings and means that external antennas are not required.
Different bands are available for WiMAX applications in different parts of the world. The frequencies commonly used are 3.5 and 5.8 GHz for 802.16d and 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5 GHz for 802.16e but the use depends upon the countries:
Current major spectrum allocations for WiMAX worldwide
| Region |
Frequency Bands (GHz) |
Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Canada |
2.3 2.5 3.5 5.8 |
|
| USA |
2.3 2.5 5.8 |
|
| Central and South America |
2.5 3.5 5.8 |
The spectrum is very fragmented and allocations vary from country to country |
| Europe |
2.5 3.5 5.8 |
The spectrum is very fragmented and varies from country to country. The 2.5 GHz allocation is currently allocated to IMT 2000. 5.8 GHz is also not available in most European countries. |
| Middle East and Africa |
2.5 5.8 |
The spectrum is very fragmented. |
| Russia |
2.5 3.5 5.8 |
The 2.5 GHz allocation is currently allocated to IMT 2000. |
|
Asia Pacific (inc China, India, Australia, etc) |
2.3 2.5 3.3 3.5 5.8 |
The spectrum is very fragmented and varies between countries. |