WiMAX technology is set to be approved as a terrestrial radio interface for 3G wireless communications by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The ITU has put forward for approval a specific subset of WiMAX, called ‘OFDMA TDD WMAN’ (orthogonal frequency division multiple access, time division duplexing, wireless metropolitan area network). It will be used with IMT-2000, the global standard for 3G.
The ITU Radiocomms Sector (ITU-R) working party 8F has reached a milestone last month when it forwarded for approval a new terrestrial radio interface for IMT-2000, "OFDMA TDD WMAN" as a specific subset of WiMAX.
"This new terrestrial radio interface complements the existing family of IMT-2000 radio interfaces and is in direct response to the demands of ITU Members to address the continuously growing wireless marketplace," said the ITU.
It recommended the update IMT-2000 radio interfaces, establish the foundation for IMT-Advanced, and call for additional spectrum for IMT.
During 2008 and 2009, there will be an open call for candidates for IMT-Advanced to be submitted to ITU, as well as the start of assessment activities of candidate technologies and systems.
Services provided using IMT-Advanced could be commercially available as early as 2011 subject to market demand.
Sony Ericsson joined the WiMAX Forum in May.
The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led non-profit organization comprising more than 440 companies committed to promoting and certifying interoperable WiMAX products.