'Wi-Max' versus Wi-Fi .... confused

jon_r_2

I have heard about WI-MAX for a while,but i see on the Technology Section on the BBC Website it is being set up in Milton Keynes on a trial basis.

Does anyone know (or live in M.K.) who can explain whether either a laptop or radio, works on the new pilot Long range WI-MAX. Or do you have to buy an add on aerial or adapter to make use of it?
If you already have wi-fi built in,that would surely pose issues, unless by some miracle it is compatible!

Some countries in the Far East already have this new system with blanket coverage in towns and rural areas.

esuhl

There's a lot of info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wimax
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/wimax.htm

I presume that you would need a specific WiMAX receiver (rather than a WiFi, DAB or FM receiver) to connect to the network.

Paul_Herring

A different receiver is required for WiMax.

I work in the comms industry (as a user of services, not supplier of them,) and we use different equipment for WiFi than we do for WiMax. I'm sure if there was stuff out there capable of doing both, we'd be using it, if only to cut costs/configuration requirements.