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Impending WiMAX Certification to Boost Rollout of WiMAX Networks

The need to promote and certify the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products has created an increasing demand for the certification of worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology solutions based on the IEEE 802.16 family of standards. However, continued delays in the WiMAX certification process are posing a real challenge to the growth of the European WiMAX services market.
Key participants in the European WiMAX market have realised the need for common open standards. Currently, the IEEE 802.16d is in focus, as it addresses non-line-of-sight (NLoS) issues and is a cost-effective wireless technology solution, where the rollout of fixed line services is not economically feasible.
Despite some vendors claiming to provide WiMAX products, at present, only a pre-WiMAX solution exists and most vendors are undergoing the WiMAX Forum certification testing for 802.16d (the fixed wireless broadband standard). Conformance testing procedures will be held towards the end of 2005 to determine if the specifications of a vendor's equipment comply with the Protocol Implementation Conformation Statement (PICS).
"Once fixed WiMAX i.e. 802.16d equipment get WiMAX certified, service providers would be more forthcoming in rolling out a nationwide WiMAX service in the licensed bands", says Luke Thomas, Senior Research Analyst at Frost and Sullivan (http://wireless.frost.com).
However, the time-to-market issue challenges the success of the WiMAX market, with the first WiMAX certified 802.16d product anticipated to penetrate the market only by the first half of 2006. "Also, with continued delays in the certification process with 802.16d and issues pertaining to spectrum allocation, other competing technologies such as Wi-Fi and 3G will gain more momentum within the European wireless industry," cautions Mr. Thomas.
The mobile standard, 802.16e is the major driver in the European WiMAX market, which has succeeded in creating the hype that surrounds WiMAX. Using scalable orthogonal frequency division multiple access (S-OFDMA) technology, it will offer an immediate portable solution, and ultimately a full-scale mobile solution, unlike the 802.16d standard.
However, the 802.16e will be ratified by the end of 2005 and the subsequent certification testing will only take place in the third or fourth quarter of 2006. "As the mobile WiMAX, 802.16e, will be a published standard only by the end of 2005, there are growing concerns if service providers need to immediately roll out a fixed 802.16d network or wait for the fixed/portable 802.16e standard," explains Mr. Thomas. "Also, as 802.16d is not compatible with 802.16e, the business model would vary considerably, depending on which standard the service provider decides to deploy."
This delay in the rollout of certified 802.16e products will spur the usage of WiMax as a cost-effective backhaul solution to Wi-Fi hotspots. Moreover, a backhaul solution in the licensed spectrum will result in inefficient usage of the available spectrum and service providers will find it uneconomical to deploy a WiMAX solution in the presence of a third generation (3G) network rollout.
Spectrum issues also remain to be resolved and most countries in Europe will pursue WiMAX deployment primarily in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band, which is a fixed wireless broadband solution. Despite these issues, since WiMAX can provide fixed and mobile solutions, European member states are also considering the benefits of introducing a technology-neutral approach to the 2.5-2.69GHz spectrum bands, previously earmarked for 3G cellular technologies.
If the 2.5-2.69GHz spectrum band is approved, its allocation will take place by early 2008. Hence, for the next couple of years, the European WiMAX market will continue to deploy the 3.5 GHz spectrum band and will be a fixed wireless broadband service market. This will leave the European WiMAX market to contend with issues such as inadequate indoor coverage and the need to deploy a greater number of base stations as opposed to the 2.5 GHz spectrum band.
Thus, a key issue will be whether European WiMAX will be a fair-play market, deploying a WiMAX solution in both the 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz spectrum bands. However, given the fact that a "data-only" Wi-Fi model has not yet been proven, the success of WiMAX will depend on the ability to deliver a differentiated service, currently not addressed by Wi-Fi and/or cellular technologies.
If you are interested in further information about the European WiMAX Services Market - WiWait for WiMAX in Europe, please send an e-mail to Janina Hillgrub, Corporate Communications, at Janina.Hillgrub@frost.com, with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, e-mail address, city, state and country. We will send you the information via e-mail upon receipt of the above information.
Title: European WiMAX Services Market- WiWait for WiMAX in Europe
Code: B628-65
Frost & Sullivan
Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics.
List of key industry participants: Agere, Alvarion, Altitude Telecom, Altitude Telecom, ADP Telecom, Alcatel, Airspan, Aperto Networks, ATT, Belgacom, British Telecom, CTI2, CISCO, Czech Telecom, Cablecom, Cetecom, Cable & Wireless, Colt, Colubris, Energis, Equant, France Telecom, Flarion, Fachhochschule Bochum - University of Applied Sciences, Harris MCD, Hulu, IP Wireless, IP Acces, Intel, Infinet Wireless, Juniper Networks, Libera, Lucent Technology, Logica CMG, Motorola, Marconi, MCI, Nortel, Navini, Nokia, Orange, Picochips, Philips, Qualcomm, Radwin, Swisscom, Siemens, Samsung, Toshiba, Texas Instruments, T-Mobile, Terabeam, Telecis, Towerstream, UK Broadband, Vodafone, Wireless Ecademy, Unisys, Warid Telecom
List of keywords in this press release: WiMAX, broadband wireless, WiMAX certification, NLoS, 802.16, licensed bands, 3G compatible, mobile, WiFi, spectrum allocation, ADSL, cellular, IEEE 802.16, worldwide interoperability for microwave access, non-line-of-sight, 802.16d, fixed 802.16d network, scalable orthogonal frequency division multiple access technology, S-OFDMA technology, fixed/portable 802.16e standard, 802.16e, 3.5 GHz spectrum band, fixed wireless broadband solution, 2.5-2.69GHz spectrum bands
Media Contacts:
Europe:
Janina Hillgrub
Corporate Communications
P: +49-69-770-33-11
E: Janina.Hillgrub@frost.com
Americas:
Mireya Castilla
Corporate Communications - North America
P: +1-210-247-3830
E: mireya.castilla@frost.com
Asia Pacific
Sarah Lourdes
Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific
P: +603-6204-5878
E: sarah.lourdes@frost.com
India:
Surbhi Dedhia
Corporate Communications
P: +91-22-2832-4705 Ext: 131
E: sdedhia@frost.com
Australia:
Sharmin Jassal
Corporate Communications
P: +61-2-8247-8900
E: sjassal@frost.com

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