Mobile WiMax standard could be final this month

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 15 September 2005 18:47

Business IT - Technology

The much-hyped and long-awaited IEEEE standard 802.16e, for so-called "mobile" WiMAX could be finalised by the end of this month, opening the floodgates for a plethora of compliant products from companies champing at the bit with their claims of 'pre-WiMax' offerings.

US comms news website, www.unstrung.com, on 13 September quoted an email from the chair of the 802.16e committee, Brian Kiernan, saying:  "It [the 802.16e standard] has been completed and sent out for, hopefully, a final recirculation about one hour ago. If that recirc goes clean, we are done. We'll know in two weeks."

Unstrung said: "The certification testing and product availability of 802.16e-based products will take place in the second half of 2006, or a bit later. Rumour has it that the new standard will be designated 802.16-2005." (the current standard for fixed wiMax is designated 802.16-2004).

Intel has announced plans to invest $37 million in Australian broadband wireless operator, Unwired, on the strength of its being well positioned to capitalise on the emergence of 802.16e products, but according to Unstrung, " the future success of mobile WiMax services remains uncertain. Earlier this year an Unstrung Insider report claimed that market developments and competing technologies could strangle the potential of 802.16e products by the time such kit is finally available."