Mobile WiMAX is moving strongly ahead in 2008 with the release of wave 2 devices and possibikity of using spectrum in the 700 MHz band.
WiMAX Forum Announces Certification Roadmap for 700 MHz Band
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Feb 2008
The WiMAX forum has now announced support for Certification of WiMAX devices in the 700 MHz band. The Forum announced a roadmap for this at the Mobile World Congress 2008.
The introduction of digital TV and consequent vacation of the 700 MHz band from analog carriers ( “Digital Dividend”) has generated high interest amongst operators including broadcasters for use of the 700 MHz band for WiMAX. The US auctions of the 700 MHz band, which commenced in Jan 2008 had garnered over $ 18 Billion of bids by end of Jan 2008, signifying the high interest in this band.
Lower bands are better suited for use in non-line of sight conditions as well as for mobility than the higher frequency bands (See Chapter 11 of the book “Mobile Broadcasting with WiMAX”). The cell sizes can also be larger making it better suited as an overlay in semi-urban and rural areas. This coupled with the WRC-2007 adopting the OFDMA-TDD technology ( used in Mobile WiMAX) as one of the approved air interfaces under the IMT2000, is set to make the 700 MHz band on of the prime bands for mobile WiMAX and new applications including interactive broadcasting and broadband.
WiMAX Forum Updates Progress on WiMAX Forum Wave 2 Certification
Mobile World Congress, Barcelona, Feb 2008
The WiMAX Forum has made public the progress on certification of Mobile WiMAX wave 2 devices. There is great interest in the wave 2 devices which involve the use of multiple antennas or advanced antenna systems (AAS). Use of multiple antennas makes the reception much more robust in non line of sight conditions(NLOS). In line of sight conditions upto 80% higher speeds can be achieved using 2x2 MIMO. This has led to the industry players focusing on Mobile WiMAX wave 2 devices for their network design almost exclusively.
While the wave 2 compliant chipsets and CPEs ( such as PC cards, USB modems etc.) have been available for over a year now, the WiMAX forum is now set to give its stamp to such products. As per information provided by the forum over 28 products had been received by them for testing and should be released as certified products by 2Q of 2008.
With the WiMAX forum having established certification labls in Taiwan and India in addition to those in the United States and Europe, the certification and growth of networks is set to accelerate in 2008.
