A new WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative (WCI) has been formed with the goal of accelerating the interoperability of the next release of WiMAX technology, WiMAX 2, based upon the IEEE 802.16m standard.
IEEE 802.16m builds upon 802.16e by adding new capabilities while maintaining backward compatibility. It meets the ITU requirements for 4G or “IMT-Advanced,” delivering higher system capacity — peak rates of more than 300 Mbps — lower latency and increased VoIP capacity. Work on the 802.16m air interface standard definition began in 2006 in the IEEE as a follow-on to 802.16e, and is expected to be completed in the 2nd half of 2010.
Founding members of the new WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative include Alvarion, Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, XRONet and ZTE as well as the Taiwanese research organization, ITRI. The objectives of the group include:
- Technology collaboration and joint performance benchmarking;
- Joint testing of 4G applications over WiMAX 2 solutions;
- Early network level interoperability testing;
- Plugfests to prepare for WiMAX Forum certification.
The group will issue detailed milestones and delivery schedules within the next 3-6 months with the goal to support the WiMAX Forum’s readiness to certify commercial products by late 2011.
http://www.alvarion.com
http://www.beceem.com
