Samsung Electronics was elected to the Board of Directors of the WiMAX Forum. The company had joined the forum in December 2004.
The WiMAX Forum promotes and certifies compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on the IEEE 802.16 standard, and is seeking to develop the existing fixed standard (802.16d) into a mobilized standard (802.16e).
Samsung is developing WiBro solutions, which South Korean companies are expected to commercialize. WiBro is also based on the IEEE's mobilized technical standard (802.16e), allowing WiBro to be compatible with mobile WiMAX. Samsung Electronics has already demonstrated WiBro.
http://www.samsung.com
- In July 2004, South Korea's Ministry of Information and Communication issued a statement endorsing the IEEE 802.16 standard as Korea's base technology for portable wireless broadband access. Plans are being developed for the licensing of carriers interested in offering "WiBro" portable broadband services based on the standard. Initial commercial services are forecast to launch in 2006.