IEEE approves new generation of Mobile WiMax

A new version of the WiMax standard, a competitor to the LTE standard that is claiming the title of '4G' around much of the world, has been ratified.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) announced the approval of the 802.16m standard, sometimes called 'Mobile WiMax release 2', on Thursday. The standard can use the same 2.6GHz spectrum as LTE, but LTE has already been taken up as the next generation of mobile broadband in much of the so-called developed world. However, WiMax is widely deployed in countries where there is a lack of high-quality fixed communication infrastructure.

"We are delighted that IEEE has recognised the completion of this comprehensive technical effort that has involved hundreds of creative and diligent professionals from over twenty countries during the last four years," IEEE 802.16 Working Group chair Roger Marks said in a statement. "Our organisation was able to efficiently harmonise these innovative technologies into a clear set of specifications guiding the future development of the mobile broadband marketplace."

The 802.16m standard offers "significant improvements in performance and quality of service", the IEEE said. It includes new technologies such as multi-user MIMO, which makes it easier to support multiple 802.16m terminals at once, and is supposed to be able to reach speeds of 100Mbps in a mobile situation, and 1Gbps when fixed.