WMAN

WMAN, or Wireless Metropolitan Area Network, refers to a class of wireless networks designed to provide broadband connectivity over a metropolitan-scale area. WMANs cover a footprint larger than a single building or campus (as in a WLAN) but smaller than a national or regional WAN. The practical coverage depends on the technology, frequency band, and environmental factors, and they are typically deployed to connect urban and suburban neighborhoods, businesses, and service backhaul.

Most WMAN implementations rely on a broadcast or point-to-m multipoint radio access topology, using one or more base stations to serve multiple subscriber units or customer premises equipment. They may operate in licensed or unlicensed spectrum, with licensed bands offering more predictable performance and interference management. Key technologies historically associated with WMAN include the IEEE 802.16 family (commonly marketed as WiMAX) and related standards, which support fixed and, in mobile variants, portable access. Other regional or vendor-specific solutions also fall under the WMAN category.

Typical use cases include last-mile broadband access for residential and business customers, backhaul links for cellular networks, and enterprise connectivity in dense urban environments. WMANs are valued for higher data rates and broader coverage than WLANs, while not requiring the extensive infrastructure of a true WAN. Mobility features, Quality of Service, and spectrum considerations influence deployment choices and performance.

In relation to terms, WMAN sits between WLAN and WAN. It is often associated with WiMAX deployments and the IEEE 802.16 standards, though the exact terminology can vary by region and vendor.