A Performance Comparison of Mobile WiMAX Spectrums: 2.5 GHz vs. 3.65 GHz

Authors

Pradhumna Shrestha, University of Nebraska LincolnFollow
Michael Hempel, University of Nebraska LincolnFollow
Puttipong Mahasukhon, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Tao Ma, University of Nebraska LincolnFollow
Hamid Sharif, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2012

Citation

2012 IEEE 75th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC Spring), Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/VETECS.2012.6240329

Comments

Copyright 2012 IEEE

Abstract

Mobile WiMAX is a popular broadband solution with diverse applications. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) currently issues licenses for Mobile WiMAX in several frequency bands, of which 2.5 GHz and 3.65 GHz are the most prevalent. A significant amount of research has been conducted in the domain of 2.5 GHz due to its widespread commercial use. However, no such work – academic or industrial – has been reported for 3.65 GHz, in spite of it being a more favorable option for many applications, particularly because of its licensing requirements. In this paper, we present a comprehensive comparison of these two frequency bands in order to provide benchmark results for use by network planners, engineers and researchers. Our analysis indicates that, while 2.5 GHz Mobile WiMAX generally offers a larger coverage area, the attractive licensing options for 3.65 GHz may present an interesting alternative for many deployment scenarios and applications.