Although both companies appear committed to developing WiMAX, their shareholders may actually hold the reins as huge sums of money are necessary to go forward.

Manufacturers of WiMAX equipment feel the technology is still sound and they plan to go ahead with device creation, it just may take longer for the technology to take hold. AAA So, the future of WiMAX is uncertain, it may be better suited for emerging markets than the U.S., only time will tell.
Via [news.com]

Sprint’s corporate shake up was not the only reason the proposed venture was nixed,the complexities of the transaction were also cited as a stumbling block. So that leaves the American WiMAX project in a bit of a conundrum, do Sprint and Clearwire go out and forge independent networks or will new bonds form?

In the meantime, WiMAX is progressing nicely overseas, proving that they technology is valid and workable.
Via [gigaom.com]

The last interface added was back in 1999 when ITU added IMT-2000 as it established the original technologies. IMT-2000 and five other cellular standards had to be used in the 3G standard, now the door is open to WiMAX.

But all is not rosey for WiMAX, the debate between technologies is far from over.
Via [wirelessweek.com]

With continued problems halting all progress in the municipal WiFi world, WiMAX supports say they have the solutions. They contend that their licensed spectrum will guarantee continuous coverage and that indoor reception will not be as problematic as it is for WiFi.

But all is not rosy in the world of WiMAX, hardware is a huge problem. Every laptop has built-in support for 802.11b/g and will soon have 802.11n, this won’t be the case for WiMAX for quite some time, several years at least.

Right now all eyes are on Sprint and their pricing of Xohm. A reasonable price point may make or break a WiMAX solution for the masses.
Via [arstechnica.com]

However, the announcement of the name isn’t the only leap the company is taking. They also plan on rolling out a new business model that is internet-based, not telecom-based. A year ago Sprint stated this venture could cost them $3 million, but new partnerships with companies like Google and Clearwire Corp. may have changed that investment a bit.

Xohm is expected to provide speeds at about 3 to 4 times what 3G is currently offering its customers and the WiMAX network will be operating over a licensed spectrum.
Via [computerworld.com]

In 2006 Sprint announced their plans to begin the 4G nationwide broadband mobile network and has now made public their plans to use Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e-2005) to launch this technology.

On the other side, Nokia’s N800 will probably include WiFi and Bluetooth and is moving forward, determined to capture the marketplace.
Via [linuxdevices.com]

The companies recently held a conference between the UK, Canada and the US using this technology on their laptops. Other trials are expected to follow.

In this situation timing is everything as the British Office of Communications is currently planning an auction of spectrum which could be used to convey mobile WiMax and other wireless technologies.

The first products to hit the market may come as early as the end of 2007 but a greater influx is expected by the end of 2008.
Via [computerworlduk.com]

WiMax companies are slightly jumping the gun with their technology as the forum designed to certify standards and specifications still has not made an official approval known. They are expected to do so in the next few months.
Via [informationweek.com]

Ovum analyst Nathan Burley suggested that licensing issues and the availability of appropriate spectrum could impede the progress of massive WiMax deployments in Asia and the Pacific. He said that none of the four existing WiMAX bands is broadly available in the region and approved licenses do not support extensive roll-outs. There is also the question of consumer acceptance. Considering the popularity of Wi-Fi and 3G, the analyst firm believes fixed and mobile WiMax will remain “niche technologies in most markets for the next five years.” The technology’s future depends on the volume of WiMax chipsets integrated into consumer electronic devices and the commitment of mobile operators to HSDPA deployments.

Miah said Motorola is providing the infrastructure for Wateen Telecom’s Pakistan Wimax network. The company, he added, plans to expand the coverage beyond 22 cities. “We see Wimax as one of the many access technologies that can be used in Pakistan. In rural sectors, in particular, we will provide connectivity using a combination of Wimax and satellite technology,” Miah remarked.
Via [itp.net]

Vendors are taking note of this trend. At the Intel Developer Forum (IDF) in Beijing, China, the chipmaker provided details of its plans for its Centrino products. This May, it is due to ship the Santa Rosa chipset a package containing a Core 2 Duo processor, the Mobile Intel 965 Express chips, Intel Next-Gen Wireless N, Gigabit Ethernet and Turbo Memory. But this chipset will be replaced by “Penryn” and later by “Montevina” in 2008.

Phone manufacturers are also developing products supporting WiMax. Nokia, Samsung and Motorola are supplying the equipment and handsets for the mobile WiMax service that Sprint Nextel plans to roll out in the U.S. next year.
Via [wi-fiplanet.com]

Shakouri revealed that the WiMax Forum is nearly finished with the certification requirements for new products. Certification of devices using the 2.3GHz spectrum is due by the middle of the year while those using the 35GHz will take place in the third quarter, and products using the 2.5GHz, by the end of 2007.

The technology is currently making headway in Asia. The Japanese government plans to issue more WiMax-compatible spectrum later this year. South Korea’s Korea Telecom announced it will begin offering WiMax service in 2007. Similar plans are also in the works in India, Malaysia and Pakistan. The Taiwanese government, meanwhile, is devoting $1 billion to promote the production and development of 2.5GHz WiMax products and programs.
Via [news.zdnet.com]