We’ve been seeing a lot of rumours about a 4G LTE iPhone 5 for months – or at least after their competitors started releasing phones with 4G technology built in. Well, more rumours have cropped up supporting the inclusion of LTE (long-term evolution) technology in the next iteration of Apple’s handset. Let’s have a look.

LTE on iPad 3 rumours = LTE on iPhone 5?

A recent report by Bloomberg stated that the iPad 3 has entered mass production to be ready for a March rollout. According to their sources, the tablet has a new quad core processor, LTE, and a high resolution Retina Display. Industry sources say that the technology will be included to the next iPhone as well, though they also inferred that we probably won’t see it until October 2012.

According to other reports, LTE smartphone shipments are expected to rise to 4 to 5% this year. This rise is due in part to the rumours surrounding the LTE iPhone from Apple. DigiTimes reported:

While Android (is) still dominating the LTE smartphone segment, Nokia and HTC have launched LTE Windows Phone models, and Apple and RIM are expected to release comparable models running on their own platforms in the second half of 2012, indicated the sources.

Another rumour mill item comes from Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. The analyst noted that Apple fans should be happy with the next gen Apple handset, and said that it’ll likely have a quad-mode LTE chip from Qualcomm. The chip will supposedly allow the iPhone 5 to run on both 3G and 4G LTE networks. Another tidbit worth noting from Huberty is that the new iPhone will have a slimmer profile compared to the 4S.

“Too early to know for sure.”

Though she noted that the new chip from Qualcomm can run both 3G and 4G, Huberty noted that it may be “too early to know for sure” if the new iPhone will support LTE networks. As mentioned, Apple competitors including Samsung, Nokia, and HTC have released LTE-capable phones and at this point, we’re all just waiting for Apple to join the fray as well.

Will we see LTE on the iPhone 5? Stay tuned to find out.

Anybody who’d lost a phone or internet connection at an inopportune time can appreciate the importance of reliable communications and connectivity. We’ve come a long way from dial-up, with broadband and wireless paving the way for other developments in the industry. One such technology is WiMAX, and it marries the two frontrunners to provide a long range and reliable connection. It is said to provide a cheap solution to the “last mile” while still delivering high speed broadband. Without getting too technical, let’s see how it works.

What is WiMAX and the Last Mile?

As mentioned earlier, the WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standard combines broadband and wireless technologies to deliver high speed internet. It uses a point-to-multipoint architecture to do this. Basically, it uses a tower or a cell site connected to the internet through a cable. It then uses a microwave link to deliver a connection among its users. Many point out that the best WiMAX feature is its long range, since it can transmit to line of sight antennas 2,800 square miles around it. It doesn’t even need the receivers to be in a direct line of sight as it can transmit to non-line of sight at a range of 25 square miles.

WiMAX’s range makes it the perfect solution to bridging the “last mile” of broadband. The last mile basically refers to the last leg of delivering service from a provider to an area. This can be the most expensive part of delivering connectivity, as it would require manpower and resources to lay down the groundwork. WiMAX is seen as a solution to provide service to rural areas and areas that are difficult to access as there won’t be a need to install cables and other infrastructure. Another feature that makes WiMAX stand out is that it can deliver up to 70mbps which can be distributed to thousands of customers. As the technology doesn’t really depend on cables, it is relatively easy to deploy.

The Edge

WiMAX is often compared to Wi-Fi, as they do operate in similar terms. WiMAX has longer range compared to Wi-Fi, and can cover a larger area. In the US, several universities and colleges are starting to use WiMAX in their campuses. This technology can also be used to make hotspots in airports, communities, high rise buildings, and even entire cities.

Technology is always upgrading and improving to provide better services or to just make things easier. In the case of WiMAX, it aims to deliver high speed internet on a wide area wireless network. It’s been touted as Wi-Fi on steroids by some, but does it live up to the nickname?

What is WiMAX?

WiMAX is short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, and is based on the IEEE 802.16 Air Interface Standard. WiMAX uses both broadband and wireless Internet technologies to deliver high speed connections over a wider range. Here’s how it mixes those two: WiMAX works on a point-to-multipoint architecture, using a tower connected to the Internet via a standard wire, then establishing a microwave link to connect users to the Internet.

The best WiMAX feature that gives it an edge over the other technologies in distributing service to a large area is its range – it can deliver to an area of 25 square miles to a non-line of sight antenna, to a whopping 2,800 square miles for line of sight. This range offers several benefits to providers who use WiMAX technology; they can provide service to rural areas and other distant locations that are difficult to reach. As you may have guessed, deploying WiMAX is a cheaper alternative to providing high speed internet than say, laying cable or erecting additional towers to get service to those far-flung areas.

In the US, several small and large providers have started offering WiMAX service in different areas, with Clearwire, a wireless internet service provider, aiming to deliver WiMAX nationwide. Some campuses are starting to implement or are at least experimenting with the technology in their respective college and university campuses.

Benefits

Aside from its applications in providing high speed Internet to distant areas, WiMAX can provide a shared connection of up to 70mbps. This is typically enough to give high speed  service to a community. It can also be used to provide wireless Internet access to a large area, like campuses, buildings and airports. It’s been dubbed Wi-Fi on steroids because it does provide advantages over Wi-Fi; in addition to its long range, it is also more efficient bandwidth-wise, and can be used to provide access to entire buildings, communities, and even cities.

WiMAX proves particularly easy to set up since it doesn’t require cables laid out end to end, thus costing less in time, manpower, and resources. All said, WiMAX can bridge the gap quite literally.