Digital Signage Bandwidth

Many digital signage industry followers often read about the barriers to entry for digital signage networks. Frequently you will hear that lower display pricing will fuel digital signage growth. This is true - however we will introduce a new topic outside of the realm of displays that will open up a wider acceptance of digital signage.

The technology we are speaking of is BANDWIDTH. Higher speeds and lower costs of bandwidth will lend itself to increased networked digital signage.

The first topic on bandwidth we will discuss is WiMAX.

The technology that promises to bring wireless high-speed connections to entire metropolitan areas is on the way. It's called WiMAX and is backed by 140 companies -- from start-ups to chip giant Intel to telecommunications companies.

Intel (WiMAX site), one of the biggest backers of the technology, has shipped its first WiMAX chips to equipment manufacturers. Full-scale deployment of WiMAX is expected to begin in 2007. The company is also conducting about 50 WiMAX tests around the country to see how equipment from different WiMAX suppliers work together and how WiMAX service reacts to trees, buildings and different weather conditions.

Digital Signage Benefits:

-- Instead of a 150-foot range, WiMAX connects to the net from up to 10 miles!
-- WiMAX will be to DSL and cable modems what cellular was to land-line phones
-- Mobile electronic billboards and trains will maintain connectivity while moving! WiMAX knows how to seamlessly connect to the next access point - just like a mobile phone.
-- WiMAX offers fast T1 speeds
-- Lower bandwidth costs

There are many other benefits that will unfold for digital signage and numerous industries that will benefit from WiMAX. Stay up to date on WiMAX here.

Definition: WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access) is a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile broadband wireless access as an alternative to cable and DSL. WiMAX will provide fixed, nomadic, portable and, eventually, mobile wireless broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight with a base station. WiMAX will offer enough bandwidth to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses (or digital signs) with T-1 speed connectivity and thousands of residences with DSL speed connectivity.

Webpavement will post more topics on bandwidth as it relates to digital signage in future blogs.