WiMax Forum announces mobile 2.5GHz certification

The WiMax Forum has issued its first long-awaited certifications for mobile 2.5GHz products.

The products comprise four base stations and six mobile station modules (also known as terminals) operating in the 2.5GHz frequency band from eight WiMax Forum member companies, including Intel, Motorola and Samsung.

Intel's Wi-Fi and WiMax Link 5350 module is among the 10 products approved and is expected to be available in selective laptops in the US by the end of the year.

The Forum claimed that more than 100 Mobile WiMax products are due to be certified by the end of the year.

"With the successful completion of extensive 2.5GHz testing, we have laid the groundwork to speed up additional profile certifications and ultimately to continue advancing global WiMax deployments at a record pace," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMax Forum.

A WiMax Forum study predicts that there will be more than 133 million WiMax users globally by 2012, around 70 per cent of whom will use mobile and portable WiMax devices to access broadband internet services.

However, industry experts predicted recently that, while WiMax broadband services are likely to be taken up by consumers, they will be shunned by businesses.

Analyst firm In-Stat said earlier this month that WiMax has the "right balance" for consumers, but that businesses will provide more of a challenge to WiMax operators because of the need for ubiquitous coverage.