When wireless is not wireless

[Commentary] It's easy to confuse, or equate, broadband wireless access (BWA) with the mobile cellular communications that we've lived with for 25 years. After all, wireless is wireless, right? Sure, just like Fords and Mercedes are both cars.

But like cars, different wireless technologies are designed to serve different markets. It is important to note some key distinctions. Cellular is optimized for mobile voice calling; data was added as an upgrade. BWA is purpose-built for high-speed Internet connections, initially fixed; voice, specifically voice over IP (VoIP), follows as an application. We should know by now that one broadband technology solution does not fit all applications. BWA fills an important role in extending high-speed Internet connections to customers over a wide area, rapidly and more cost-effectively than wires, fibers or conventional wireless technologies.

Yeah, it's wireless. Just don't think of it as wireless.