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WiMAX prepares for first wave

Much hyped and long awaited, WiMAX is now in the first phase of wave one. That means it’s go-time for the world’s WiMAX players.

The testing and rollout schedule for fixed WiMAX technology is broken down into phases and waves, explained Gordon Antonello. Antonello is the chairman of the WiMAX Forum’s technical working group and a senior technical adviser with Wi-LAN Inc. Each wave includes three phases, he said, and the WiMAX Forum is currently working its way through the first phase of the first wave. This means that fixed WiMAX is off and running.

The WiMAX Forum oversees and promotes WiMAX technology. Specifically, the group pushes the standard, lobbies for spectrum and certifies WiMAX vendors-all in an effort to get the industry moving. The IEEE standards body has officially signed off on the fixed version of WiMAX-dubbed 802.16-2204-and the WiMAX Forum is now testing equipment to make sure it adheres to the standard.

The first wave of WiMAX tests cover the basics of the technology-those features and functions that all WiMAX products must support. In the first phase of wave one, the WiMAX Forum must validate its testing equipment. In the second phase, scheduled to start in October, the forum will test WiMAX equipment from various vendors to make sure it conforms to the standard. Finally, in phase three, the forum will conduct interoperability tests to make sure that WiMAX equipment from one vendor will work with equipment from other vendors. Antonello said the first battery of official fixed WiMAX products-those certified by the WiMAX Forum-are set to hit the market in March or April.

However, that’s not the end of it. The WiMAX Forum is planning for additional waves, and each wave will contain tests for additional features and functions. Wave one products will meet the basic WiMAX requirements, but wave two and three and four and so on will cover additional requirements from carriers and others in the industry. Antonello expects around a half-dozen waves.

Mobile WiMAX will follow a similar path. Mobile WiMAX-dubbed 802.16e-allows users to move from one WiMAX tower to another. Antonello said the IEEE likely will publish the standard for that technology in October or November. Then the waves and phases start all over again for mobile WiMAX.

Antonello said official, certified mobile WiMAX products probably will hit the market in early 2007.

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