Wireless WAN
Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) is a wireless network that covers larger geographical areas than a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).
WWAN is primarily used for connecting devices to the internet over a wide geographical area, such as a city, a region, or even a whole country. It is used for mobile internet and data access on laptops, smartphones, and other portable devices.
WWAN may involve different types of technologies including 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), satellite communications, and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access).
The importance of WWANs lies in their ability to provide internet connectivity to devices over large areas. This is especially valuable for mobile devices and for areas where traditional wired connectivity is not possible or practical.
The concept of WWAN evolved with the development and expansion of mobile telephony and mobile internet. With the advent of 3G technology in the early 2000s, and subsequently 4G and 5G, the speed, reliability, and capacity of WWANs have greatly improved.
The main benefits of WWAN include wide area coverage, mobility, and convenience. It allows devices to stay connected to the internet while on the move, over large distances.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros: Wide coverage area, mobility, convenience.
- Cons: Depending on the technology and the service provider, speed and reliability may not be as good as wired connections. There may also be higher costs for data usage.
Examples: One common example of a WWAN is a cellular network provided by a telecom operator, like AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile. These networks cover large geographical areas and allow devices to connect to the internet using a SIM card and a data plan. Other examples could include satellite internet services, which can provide global coverage.
See Also