WHAT IS WI-MAX

Wi-MAX is a radio technology that utilizes fixed antennas to provide two-way broadband connections to users at up to 30-mile distances, although in practice the better range tends to be three to five miles. But this range is still great enough to be attractive as a broadband option to businesses that otherwise might be off the grid. The Wi-MAX Forum, which was formed in April of 2001, has described the technology as "enabling the delivery of the last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL." Today the forum has more than 400 members, including such companies as Sprint and Intel.