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Metropolitan Area Networks based on 802.16 fixed broadband wireless provide high-bandwidth "last mile" connectivity between carrier networks and subscriber networks. Even if OFDM modulation is used in both technologies, I see 802.16 WMANs as being complementary to 802.11 WLANs. 802.16 will excel at providing site-to-site backbone connectivity, while 802.11 will continue to focus on host-to-workgroup LAN connectivity. There may be some overlap - for example, 802.11 point-to-point outdoor bridges. But I believe there are many more situations in which these technologies cater to different applications as a result of differences in distance, data rate, frequency band, protocol encapsulation, connection-oriented v. connectionless, QoS management, cost of terminating equipment, etc.
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