WiMAX Forum Reports 13 New Networks Announced in April

The WiMAX Forum has started publishing a monthly report on network developments and statistics. The first issue notes that approximately 13 new WiMAX network deployments were announced in April. Currently, the WiMAX Forum tracks a total of 468 WiMAX deployments in 139 countries.

"The WiMAX Forum is committed to helping the global community understand the progress of the WiMAX ecosystem by sharing relevant information regarding the WiMAX Forum Certified Program, global WiMAX deployments and other milestones," said XJ Wang, Senior Director of Marketing for the WiMAX Forum. "This monthly report is another way the WiMAX Forum educates the market and informs membership about continued WiMAX momentum."

WiMAX Forum research showed that WiMAX deployments cover more than 430 Million POPs worldwide, and are forecasted to reach 800 Million POPs by the end of 2010.

The Iranian Communications Regulatory Authority granted four six-year licenses for operators to offer fixed WiMAX services in Iran. Also, the Chilean government announced that it had awarded a license for 30 MHz of spectrum in the 2.3 GHz band to INVERCA Telecommunications.

In Q1 2009, the WiMAX Forum Network Operators Task Force conducted a survey of over 70 WiMAX operators. In response to a question on the importance of certification, 89% of respondents indicated that their companies would require WiMAX Forum Certification for devices. Also, 74% of respondents to a question on sales channels plan to sell WiMAX devices through general retail stores.

This WiMAX Forum Industry Research Report will be available on the WiMAX Forum website the first week of every month at www.wimaxforum.org

Posted to the site on 28th April 2009