Years ago, I was chatting on Google’s campus, trying to explain WiMAX. This was shortly after I wrote back in 2005 that Sprint would use WiMAX over competing technologies… which they announced years later.

At the chat, I said that WiMAX was basically Wi-Fi using spread spectrum technologies, founded on the ideas in CDMA.

Since then, things have become easier to explain. Both LTE and WiMAX are driven by OFDMA technology. OFDMA uses a multiplexing technology that basically used CDMA’s spread spectrum as a foundation.

Wikipedia explains this connection best: “OFDMA resembles code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum, where users can achieve different data rates by assigning a different code spreading factor or a different number of spreading codes to each user.”

Qualcomm really doesn’t benefit tech-wise from LTE versus WiMAX. Qualcomm’s expertise would give them a technical edge on either platform. The reason that Qualcomm has embraced LTE instead of WiMAX, is due to the consortium, politics, and companies backing LTE.

However, your argument that phone makers will be hesitant to make WiMAX variants of phones, is a bit suspect. Nokia has signaled that supporting WiMAX will not be an issue, and that it’s more of a matter of carrier demand, and how much open access will change how users buy devices.

I can’t get into the specifics at this point, which eventually will clear things up for you. I know many want to know if XOHM will become Clearwire, or if Clearwire will be re-named as a part of XOHM… those matters will be decided after the merger is finalized.

It is not clear if Clearwire will “run” Sprint’s WiMAX network, or if Clearwire will eventually just fade away into Sprint’s network. It doesn’t really matter either way, to the consumer there will be no difference in a year or two.

For now, XOHM and Clearwire will become one network, marketed under both brands, just like how AT&T Wireless and Cingular were when they first merged. Eventually, much like AT&T Wireless and CIngular, both brands will probably be consolidated into one (again, Sprint-owned) brand.

Keep in mind that this will take time… Clearwire’s WiMAX network is of an older generation than XOHM is. Once the merger is completed, Clearwire’s entire network will have to be upgraded before it can be accessed by XOHM customers.

Dont worry im sure chris will post