IEEE 802.16m Approved as IMT-Advanced Technology

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has approved IEEE 802.16m, also know as "WirelessMAN-Advanced", as an IMT-Advanced technology. WirelessMAN-Advanced offers up to 180 Mbps of aggregate downlink throughput per site using a 20 MHz TDD channel in ITU's real-world microcellular system model, with further support for nearly 2500 VoIP users per site. Depending on design goals, antenna configurations, and spectrum availability, significantly higher dates rates can be enabled.


The key decision, taken by ITU-R's Working Party 5D (WP 5D) at the conclusion of its meeting of 13-20 October in Chongqing, China, followed a rigorous evaluation and consensus-building process after the introduction of detailed technical proposals in October 2009, including consideration of exhaustive evaluation reports from nine expert groups from around the world.


The WiMAX Forum noted that WirelessMAN-Advanced represents a group of three proposals, of which two (one by the Administration of Japan and one by Korea's TTA) were considered technically identical to that of IEEE. During the meeting, WP 5D accepted an offer from the three parties to have IEEE complete and submit the full detailed specification of the technology at the following WP 5D meeting in April 2011. WirelessMAN-Advanced and LTE-Advanced were the only two technologies approved for IMT-Advanced.


The WiMAX Forum is working to complete the detailed specification of WiMAX Release 2, which will take advantage of the new IEEE standard and ensure that WiMAX Release 2 networks and devices will offer capabilities and efficiencies to exceed the baseline IMT-Advanced requirements.


WiMAX Release 2 also promises improved VoIP capacity, spectral efficiency, latency, handover speed, cell range, and coverage -- with support for wider operating bandwidth in both TDD and FDD modes.


"WiMAX is a commercially proven technology with a vibrant ecosystem. Our industry is ready to make WiMAX Release 2 a strong option for networks requiring IMT-Advanced capabilities," said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum. "We have remained focused on bringing WiMAX Certified Release 2 networks and devices to market as quickly as possible, and today's decision within the ITU further reinforces our confidence. This decision and the WiMAX industry's commitment to Release 2, with all its benefits, should be of particular relevance to Indian Service Providers determining which technology options will best meet India's broadband data requirements."http://www.wimaxforum.com