Gaming on WiMax

[bluntspoon]

Is anyone gaming on a wimax connection? If so, how does it compare to cable/DSL..? It's come to Vegas and the price seems really good, but I am worried about the latency when gaming.

[dredfox]

WiMax is similar to Wi-Fi in many ways. My experience with wireless networking in general is that latency is mostly an issue due to two things:

1) Interference from obstructions such as trees and metal, or from microwave transmissions (2.4Ghz. phones, nearby cellphones, microwave ovens, baby monitors etc...)

2) Overcrowded access points. Each access point can handle a limited amount of traffic. Traffic is made worse by retransmissions of lost packets.

If you live in a forested (just reread "Vegas") area, or on the edge of a signal, or if the WiMax provider is attempting to squeeze as many users as possible onto each access point, you will have problems with lost packets. In game, this will show up as bursts of brutal lag every few minutes followed by low ping times. Some times of day may be worse than others as well.

You may want to contact a level two or three tech at the ISP and ask them about the suitability of their service. A salesperson will waste your time telling you about the "lightening fast speed" of WiMax, and a level one tech is just following a .script most of the time.

[bluntspoon]

will do. thanks.