Wednesday, December 05, 2007

WiMAX on the ropes?

The announcement that Verizon has chosen to use LTE/SAE (also known as Evolved Packet System by 3GPP) is a blow to mobile WiMAX (IEEE802.16e-2005). It also casts a shadow over the future of QUALCOMM'S UMB technology.

Now with Sprint declaring it is interested in spinning off its WiMAX assets, one can only speculate what is the future for a technology that is rapidly being marginalized? Continuing delays in Certification (now looking like 3Q 2008), means that mobile WiMAX is losing its lead over LTE, which will start trials next year. (See NSN Touts 4G post).

Ericsson and QUALCOMM, both of which have declared their support of 3GPP standards and not IEEE standards, must be feeling quietly confident and looking forward to a prosperous New Year!