WiMax, which stands for WorldWide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a technology that aims to provide wireless data over long distances. This can be done either through a point-to-point methodology or full mobile cellular type access. WiMax is built on the 802.16 standard. With WiMax, a laptop user can connect to the internet without the need for a wired connection. WiMax differs from Wi-Fi in the extent of its aimed reach and the technology that is involved. In fact WiMax can be used to Wi-Fi hotspots together and to the internet. WiMax is competing with 3G and 4G standards in bring the internet to wireless, mobile devices.