The Progression of WiMAX Toward a Peer-to-Peer Paradigm Shift

The standardization of worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) represents an opportunity for a radical shift in viewing the Internet and its access systems. Considering the current constellation of the Internet service providers (ISPs), WiMAX can both improve its presence (by offering broadband connectivity where previously unavailable) and trim down its authority (if used as an instrument for ad hoc peer-to-peer networking). Therefore, the deployment of WiMAX is important for several stakeholders. It can be a source of substantial revenue for the equipment manufacturers and the ISPs, an alternative way of offering service for the content providers, and an opportunity for increased use of wireless commons in the broader society. In this paper, we look at a progressive model of WiMAX, starting from a wireless ISP (WISP) perspective, through social learning of the commons, and ending with a shift toward the peer-to-peer paradigm as applied to a network of interconnected wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) users.