MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.—VeriSign Inc. announced an agreement with the WiMAX Forum to become the official security provider for the 802.16 standard.
In a joint statement, VeriSign and the WiMAX Forum said the partnership will promote equipment compatibility and interoperability by creating a device-authentication standard for WiMAX networks. In effect, VeriSign will develop secure processes that spell out how WiMAX signals are transmitted.
VeriSign is best known for licensing Internet domain names and providing Internet security for e-commerce transactions, but the company also develops RFID chips and sells mobile content.
The WiMAX Forum is largely backed by Intel Corp., but hundreds of other companies are developing products based on the 802.16 WiMAX standard, including Motorola Inc., Alvarion Ltd. and Navini Networks Inc.
Ratified in December, 802.16e is the latest version of the standard to be approved by the IEEE. The new standard provides specifications for mobile WiMAX, which will allow users to share data, voice and video while traveling at speeds up to about 100 miles per hour.
“WiMAX promises a whole new level of data access flexibility that will be much less location specific for customers,” stated Nico Popp, vice president of Authentication Services for VeriSign.
WiMAX certified products based on the 802.16e standard are expected to be available sometime next year.
