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TopWimax
WiMAX is a wireless technology created to offer a high level of mobility, security, QoS, wide coverage, interoperability and portability (Andrews et al., 2007; Salonen et al., 2002). IEEE 802.16d, created on 2004 detailed fixed WiMAX while IEEE 802.16e, which was released on 2005 detailed Mobile WiMAX (WiMAX Forum, 2006). WiMAX is also easy to deploy, with flexible architecture, while providing high capacity networks with low cost (Sweeney, 2005). Mobile WiMAX is expected to provide flexible solutions as well as coexistence with other technologies like 3G and Wi-Fi. This is a technology capable of providing broadband solution with its last mile capabilities, as well as cellular phones solution with Mobile WiMAX capabilities (Atemad, 2008; Lecklider, 2007).
QoS Defined
Service providers (SP) define QoS as a set of parameters that contribute towards the end-to-end performance of service as per customers’ requirements. Customers, on the other hand, define QoS as attributes or criteria that are considered to be essential in the use of service (Ooda et al., 1997). To investigate the true QoS, one must get data from both customers and providers. In computer networks however, QoS refers to resource reservation control mechanisms rather than the achieved service quality. Technical QoS has a number of technical parameters associated with it, mainly bandwidth, delay, link stability and packet loss, which are all important in determining QoS of a certain link (Cisco, 2007). To investigate QoS in any network, one should get insight from both SP (technical issues) and customers (not-technical issues). This paper takes the same approach by examining QoS from both angels as well as operational challenges face by ISPs in delivering the required quality.