WiMAX is relatively new in terms of a standards initiative - and in particular, the launch of numerous WiMAX technologies supporting chipsets by Forum members. However, much of the technology being incorporated into the IEEE 802.16 technology set is existent in the industry today and well tested. A number of best of breed broadband radio manufacturers have been offering various elements used in WiMAX for several years as proprietary technology. However, vendors rarely offered consistent iterations of radio modulation and other techniques---ensuring that solutions had to be specific to a single vendor. This is especially true on the fixed wireless side. And even more so for unlicensed band fixed wireless. However, mobile broadband wireless technologies suffered from the fragmentation of multiple proprietary approaches.
This means that much of the technological capability of WiMAX is relatively mature. In fact, the radio vendors who are members of the forum have deployed equipment in over 145 countries around the globe with trials and deployments exceeding 560. The combination of these advanced technologies into two standards packages for Fixed and Mobile broadband wireless combined with new generation optimized chipsets and tested and certified interoperability between radio manufacturers deliver a robust and powerful technology. This capability can match or exceed the performance and cost factors of other broadband technologies. This can all be achieved without traditional wireline tethers.
On the horizon, plans are to expand the WiMAX product capability as well as the early underpinnings of the next version of WiMAX, which will incorporate increasingly newer technologies. Also, the next major version of the 802.16 standard 802.16m, is already in the process of being defined. This version will offer even better throughput, spectral efficiency and capabilities along with increased interoperability.
