Introduction
If you are interested in deploying a WiMAX network then you are trying to figure out how much equipment you might need. You are asking yourself questions such as ``How much it might cost?``, ``What impact does changing the coverage area have on the bottom line?``, ``What impact does changing the data rate or throughput have?``, and more. The answers to these questions depend upon the types of services you are planning to provide as well as the demographics of your intended coverage area. This publication provides a framework for answering these questions.

Introduction

Key Elements of a WiMAX Network

WiMAX propagation

Urban Area Planning

Suburban Area Planning

Rural Area Planning

Capacity vs. Coverage

Customer Location Issues

Oversubscription as a Factor in Planning

Coverage Comparisons: Urban vs. Rural

Estimating Base Stations for Capacity

Urban Analysis

Rural Analysis

WiMAX Coverage

Capital Expense Evaluation

Subscribers and Revenue

Capital Expense for BTS Deployment

Analysis Summary


Table of Figures
Figure 1: Key elements of a WiMAX network
Figure 2: RF Signal propagation
Figure 3: Dense Urban Area
Figure 4: Urban Area
Figure 5: Suburban Area
Figure 6: Rural Area
Figure 7: Tradeoff between Coverage and Capacity
Figure 8: Where are the Customers Located?
Figure 9: Oversubscription
Figure 10: Coverage Example
Figure 11: Capacity Example
Figure 12: Equipment Pricing
Figure 13: Subscribers and Revenue
Figure 14: BTS count and Capex
Figure 15: Revenue vs. Capital Expense