Taipei, Taiwan - June 2, 2008 - The WiMAX Forum and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) are cooperating in Taiwan to bring together prominent ecosystem leaders to explore the rapidly growing opportunities available through WiMAX technology at the first WiMAX Forum Operator Summit June 2-3, 2008 in Taipei. This exclusive event offers a unique chance for operator executives from around the world to share their visions and experiences on WiMAX development and deployments, and, collaborate to accelerate the launch of successful WiMAX networks and services globally. Additionally, just in time for the Operator Summit, the WiMAX Forum has released the Executive Summary of the WiMAX Forum Global WiMAX Subscriber & User Forecast. The forecast indicates over 133 million WiMAX users globally by 2012.
As one of the world's leading technology manufacturing epicenters, Taiwan continues its reputation as the prominent country propelling innovation and the commercial reality of WiMAX end user devices. Toward this end, Taiwan continues to be a strong supporter of the WiMAX industry. Taiwan's many technology companies, with the support of the Taiwanese government, has formed a national ecosystem comprising WiMAX chipset, CPE, network elements, test labs, system integration, commercial operation, applications and services displays this commitment. With its world-class manufacturing capabilities, technical acumen and skilled resources, Taiwan's government-supported initiatives offer an entire service and application test-bed including the first WiMAX Forum Applications Lab (MTWAL).
"Operators from around the globe coming together to discuss and address their successes and challenges is key to accelerating the mass market adoption of WiMAX technology," said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. "Taiwan has been a hotbed for the development of wireless technologies, and now as one of the premier champions of WiMAX through its commitment to driving the technology and products forward. It is only fitting that we are here today, discussing specific steps, best approaches and timelines to bring mobile internet services to consumers anytime, anywhere."
WiMAX Forum Applications Lab Taiwan Open House
The MTWAL will hold an Open House for all WiMAX Forum Operator Summit attendees on June 2-3, 2008 featuring live demonstrations of WiMAX applications and application test solutions deployed on the MTWAL WiMAX network. In addition, MTWAL Open House participants will witness the capabilities of a Mobile WiMAX environment including mobile applications and usage models. Applications developed by ITRI, Microsoft, and China Television (CTV) are planned for display and include IPcam surveillance, pocket channel, advertisement broadcasting Signage, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV), mobile office and electronic Satellite News Gathering (eSNG). The application test vendors scheduled to participant include Zaracom, Elektrobit, Agilent, Tektronix and Azimuth.
WiMAX Forum Global WiMAX Subscriber & User Forecast Executive Summary
The WiMAX Forum has released additional data from the WiMAX Forum Global WiMAX Subscriber & User Forecast regarding the ecosystem's worldwide growth over the next five years. The forecast covers WiMAX deployments globally and is broken out by major regions including North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East/Africa.
Of note, the report estimates a global total of 133 million WiMAX users by 2012. The Asia Pacific region will lead the market in total actual users with 60 million; North America in second place with 22 million users, followed by Europe and Africa/Middle East.
Currently there are over 260 operators that have deployed a WiMAX service. The number of global operators is expected to rise to 538 by 2012. The Africa/Middle East region is expected to have the highest number of WiMAX operator countries, followed by Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and North America.
EDITOR NOTE: For more information on the WiMAX Forum Operator Summit or the Global WiMAX Subscriber & User Forecast, please visit the WiMAX Forum website at www.wimaxforum.org or contact Becca Harpham at bharpham@golinharris.com.
About WiMAX Forum®
The WiMAX Forum® is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16/ETSI HiperMAN standard. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile services. Along these lines, the WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements. Through the WiMAX Forum Congress Events Series of global trade shows and events, the WiMAX Forum is committed to furthering education, training and collaboration to expand the reach of the WiMAX ecosystem. For more information, visit the trade show link at www.wimaxforum.org.
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