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System Integrators Nearly Unanimous in Support of WiMAX

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 November 2004, 09:00 CST

Lucent Technologies, LG Electronics, Huawei Join Nortel and Cisco on WiMAX Forum(TM) Roster; New Service Providers Include America Online, Deutsche Telecom, SBC, Time Warner Telecom

Support for WiMAX technology is now firmly established among system integrators with the recent additions of Lucent Technologies, LG Electronics and Huawei Technologies to the growing roster of the WiMAX Forum(TM). Combined with Nortel and Cisco, these companies represent virtually every major systems integrator worldwide, a key industry segment for the large-scale, global deployment of WiMAX.

In addition, support for WiMAX among service providers continues to strengthen, with the recent additions of America Online Inc., Deutsche Telecom, SBC and Time Warner Telecom to the fastest-growing segment of WiMAX Forum membership. Today the WiMAX Forum has more than 170 members, representing the entire ecosystem of companies necessary for bringing WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) products to market, including equipment manufacturers, silicon and component makers, service providers and application providers. The organization has experienced 37 percent quarterly growth rate since the beginning of this year.

"The nearly unanimous support for WiMAX technology among integrators and the continued interest from service providers is testament to the potential for WiMAX to deliver on the global challenge of providing broadband on a ubiquitous scale," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. "The support and involvement of more than 170 industry-leading companies gives us a strong foundation and helps to ensure we're taking the right steps as we gear up for certification testing."

"By joining the WiMAX Forum, Lucent will contribute its Bell Labs expertise and industry leadership in delivering and integrating converged networks supported by Lucent's IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) solution. The convergence IMS solution from Lucent supports multiple access technologies including third-generation (3G) mobile (CDMA2000 and UMTS/W-CDMA), Wi-Fi and wireline networks," said John Marinho, vice president of strategic marketing for Lucent Technologies. "Lucent can help service providers integrate WiMAX technology in a way that complements their 3G mobile high-speed data and wireline networks to deliver seamless communications services to subscribers."

"We are excited to join the growing number of companies that are working to bring the next wave of innovation to the world of wireless connectivity," said Dr. Jin Sung Choi, vice president, LG Electronics. "We believe WiMAX technology will significantly impact the availability of broadband in the Asia Pacific region and throughout the world -- not only to homes and businesses, but eventually to mobile devices."

Through WiMAX Forum-led efforts, the economies of scale made possible by standards-based, interoperable products will drive price and performance levels unachievable by proprietary approaches. As a result, service providers worldwide will be able to deliver economical broadband data, voice and video services to both residential and business customers.

"What excites us most about the WiMAX initiative is not just the role it can play to bring more consumer choices for high-speed data services, but the added benefit that WiMAX will bring to light up cities with a transforming high-speed mobile data network," said John McKinley, chief technology officer, America Online Inc. "We're bullish on the technology, and are glad to be joining an all-star roster of WiMAX Forum members."

"Currently Huawei regards WiMAX as the new business focus in the wireless sector and intends to provide global operators with end-to-end broadband wireless access solutions that are technology edged, cost effective and highly reliable," said Chen Zhaohui, senior vice president of Huawei Technologies. "Huawei will also take an active role in accelerating WiMAX technology and market development."

For a complete list of current WiMAX Forum members, visit www.WiMAXForum.org.

About WiMAX Forum

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, non-profit corporation formed to help promote and certify the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products using the IEEE 802.16 and ETSI HiperMAN wireless MAN specifications. The forum's goal is to accelerate the introduction of these devices into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) products will be fully interoperable and support Metropolitan Broadband Fixed, Portable and Mobile Applications. For more information about the WiMAX Forum and its activities, please visit www.WiMAXForum.org.

WiMAX Forum(TM) and WiMAX Forum Certified(TM) are registered trademarks of the WiMAX Forum.

Source: Business Wire

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