‘Star Wars’: Wi-Fi vs WiMax in Zambo

Internet in schools

Globe’s service is part of its Internet-in-Schools-Program (ISP). Under the program, Globe will “provide free Internet for one year to serviceable public schools all over the country.” Those schools are serviced by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM), a unit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Five other public schools in Zamboanga—J-Jireh School, Southcom National High School, Sinunuc ElementarySchool, Zamboanga City High School main campus and the Sinunuc National High School—will also receive free WiMax connection for a year, making them the first WiMax-connected schools in the Philippines.

Ticket to cyber highway

For Jojie Ilagan-Bian, president of the Philippine Call Center Alliance, WiMax is Zamboanga’s ticket to the cyber highway. Both Wi-Fi and WiMax can be used for wireless networking, but the latter is designed to allow higher data rates over longer distances. For example, a person using WiMax can stream videos and download a movie file at the same time. WiMax provides broadband wireless access of up to 50 kilometers for fixed stations, and 5 km to 15 km for mobile stations. In contrast, Wi-Fi is usually limited to only 100 meters.

“By investing heavily in expanding its information and communications services, Globe has not only expressed its confidence in the future of this city and this region, but has helped to create conditions under which other companies will be attracted to the city,” Bian said.

Globe’s Disuanco said the telco plans to open four more WiMax sites in the region.
“It is Globe’s aim that every home in Zamboanga be connected to the Internet,” he said. According to Hoyle Disuanco, head of Globe’s consumer sales for Visayas and Mindanao, the telco has already established WiMax connections in 15 communities in Zamboanga. Click the title of article above to read the complete article at 9/12/09 Philippine Inquirer