[IEE approves 802.16e standard facilitating development of mobile broadband access systems. WiMAX 802.16e products are expected to arrive by late next year.]

Piscataway, NJ -- The IEEE announced the approval of IEEE 802.16e(TM), the mobile WirelessMAN(R)standard that will facilitate the global development of mobile broadband wireless access (BWA) systems. The standard amends and extends the IEEE 802.16(TM) WirelessMAN standard, which addressed Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks for broadband wireless access but previously supported only fixed (stationary) terminals. The amended standard specifies a system for combined fixed and mobile BWA supporting subscriber stations moving at vehicular speeds in licensed bands under 6 GHz.

"The IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN standard continues its evolution as a platform upon which the broadband wireless industry can build high-performance, cost-effective fixed, and now mobile, broadband access systems," said Roger B. Marks, Chair of the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access. "The Working Group's open consensus process attracted the dedicated participation of hundreds of technical experts from the world's leading service providers, system vendors, and semiconductor suppliers. The foundation for a global industry is now in place."

The 802.16e standards development project, begun in late 2002, completed its final draft in October 2005. The work was iterated through twelve drafts based on thousands of comments and hundreds of contributed documents.

"It was a long and sometimes difficult road, but the industry ultimately came together and reached its goal," said Brian Kiernan, Chair of the IEEE 802.16e Task Group. "The IEEE 802.16e standard gives service operators the ability to provide a wide range of new and revolutionary high-speed, mobile wireless applications and services that will greatly improve people's way of life.

"The WiMAX Forum commends IEEE 802.16 for its exceptional work in delivering a global standard that will redefine mobile broadband," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. "Today marks the official inauguration of the IEEE 802.16e standard, and the WiMAX Forum and its members now can move forward with confidence as we collaborate to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified products for 802.16e-based mobile broadband arrive by late next year or early 2007. As an organization, we have already achieved accelerated progress by developing system profiles based on the 802.16e specification and identifying conformance test tools and methods that will be essential for the expanding the certification process to include mobile as well as fixed systems."

About the IEEE 802.16 Working Group The IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access has completed twelve standards projects since 2001 toward the development and evolution of the IEEE 802.16 WirelessMAN Standard for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks. The Working Group currently has 309 individual members from 16 countries and a portfolio of four active projects.

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