Comparison of WiMAX coverage at 450MHz and 3.5GHz

In this paper we calculate, analyze and compare the area covered by radio signal based on WiMAX standard at two carrier frequencies, namely 450 MHz and 3.5 GHz in flat rural, hilly rural and urban environment. The channel model proposed by WiMAX forum has been applied as path loss model at 3.5 GHz for cell coverage prediction, while at 450 MHz the Longley-Rice model for rural areas and Okumura Hata channel models for urban area is used. The cell size prediction strongly suggests to limit the 3.5 GHz frequency band to urban areas, where the higher system capacity is required, while in rural areas the 450 MHz carrier frequency provide good compromise between coverage and system capacity