Certification
WIMAX Forum Certification
10. What is WiMAX Forum Certified?
Certified products are based upon a single global standard (802.16) enabling complete interoperability worldwide. WiMAX Forum Certified products have been through rigorous certification testing in order to reduce investment uncertainties and guarantee interoperability for all parties in the access network value chain, from technology providers to service providers tend users.
WiMAX has already established itself in the 3.5 GHz band with deployments in every region. WiMAX is being deployed in the 2.5 GHz in countries such as the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, Russia and Mexico, and new 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum allocations are expected soon. WiMAX has been deployed in the 2.3 GHz in South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore with future deployments anticipated in Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and Canada. Most recently, India approved auctions for 2.3 and 2.5GHz. In the U.K., WiMAX is deployed in the 3.5 GHz band.
11. What is involved in WiMAX Forum Certification testing?
To meet the minimum mandatory requirements for WiMAX Forum Certification, products have to pass multiple tests. These tests are defined under the auspices of the WiMAX Forum Certification Working Group (CWG). Vendors submit products for certification to approved WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratories (WFDCL). If all tests are not passed, vendors have the opportunity to make updates to their products and resubmit for final approval. For more information on the certification process, please read the WiMAX Forum’s Certification overview http://wimaxforum.org/certification/certification-overview.
12. What are the benefits of WiMAX Forum Certified products?
Designed for carrier-class deployments WiMAX Forum Certified systems deliver high-capacity service throughput (up t36 Mbps in a 10MHz channel) and provide a range of up to five kilometers in non-line-of-sight conditions. The systems are scalable for up to thousands of users and because they are interoperable, service providers will be able to purchase equipment from more than one vendor, thereby reducing the overall risk and creating a price-competitive marketplace.
The availability of WiMAX Forum Certified equipment will accelerate the adoption rate of WiMAX technology by promoting the continued introduction into the market of a broad selection of interoperable devices from many vendors at affordable prices ensuring consumers interoperability between devices and networks guaranteeing service anytime, anywhere at a lower price point.
13. What are the benefits of WiMAX Forum Certified products for vendors, operators and subscribers?
- Vendors: Products are interoperable prior to commercialization, reducing vendor costs and effort. Vendors can easily meet operator requirements for interoperability, and address the global market with their product line. Certified equipment leads to integrated, low cost components. Additionally, vendors can focus on specific products rather than end-to-end product lines.
- Operators: With WiMAX Forum certified products, operators can more easily support subscriber devices, including out of network roaming devices. Choice among vendors leads to more flexibility when planning infrastructure and selecting subscriber devices and contained equipment costs make WiMAX business case more attractive. For operators, backwards compatibility and new features allow operators to combine continuity of service with advanced performance.
- Subscribers: The WiMAX Forum Certified Seal gives consumers the confidence that products will work out of the box. Subscribers can use a variety of devices depending on location and desired application and large vendor selection means more devices at contained costs.
14. How will WiMAX Forum Certified products benefit enterprises and residential users?
- Enterprises: The ease of deployment for WiMAX Forum Certified systems can benefit enterprises by bringing new competition into the marketplace and lowering prices, as well as reaching out to locations not served by wireline Internet access. This is especially relevant for industries like gas, mining, agriculture, transportation, construction and others that operate in remote locations.
- Residential users: For residential customers in suburban and rural areas (where DSL or cable modem service is not available), WiMAX technology can provide the ability to finally have the broadband access they need. This is particularly true in developing countries, where traditional telecom infrastructure is not readily accessible.
15. When will WiMAX Forum Certified products be commercially available?
In January 2006, the WiMAX Forum announced the first commercial products to achieve the designation of WiMAX Forum Certified. There are currently more than 100 WiMAX Forum Certified products (802.16e-2005 products and 802.16d products). The WiMAX Forum predicts 1000+ certified products by 2011.
16. What companies offer products that have received the WiMAX Forum Certified™ designation?
For more details on WiMAX Forum certified products and companies please visit the WiMAX Forum’s product showcase at http://www.wimaxforum.org/productshowcase.
17. Where are the WiMAX Forum Certification labs located?
Globally there are six certification labs in operation. They are located in:
- Spain - AT4wireless in Malaga
- Korea - Telecommunications Technology Association
- Taiwan – Bureau Veritas ADT, Taoyuan Branch
- China - China Academy of Telecommunications Research in Beijing
- Taiwan - (Telecom Technology Center / Compliance Certification Services in Taipei
- U.S. - AT4wireless in Virginia, USA
Brazil, and Malaysia labs are being pursued in 2009.