Wimax Approved

802.16e, or what others might be calling WiMAX or MobileWirelessMAN, has been ratified by the globally recognized standards organization IEEE. The specification details how broadband wireless communications should be structured. This version of the standard goes beyond 802.16-2004, which dealt with a fixed wireless broadcast, and allows for wireless mobile broadband.

The development of the standard began in July 2002, had 12 draft versions, and completed with a 684-page document. The ratification of the standard received a 99% approval vote. Trials with equipment are expected to start in 2006, but publicly available products and services aren't expected until 2007 or possibly 2008.

From Geek.com

This is all good news, as this is a wide area broadband. This could put a serious dent into the cable and telephone duopoly of the internet access business. We're talking range in miles, and high speed connections. But before you go to Best Buy to look for a notebook with this look at what the folks over at WiFi Planet have to say.

Don't expect any actual services using mobile WiMax until well into 2007, or maybe even 2008. On his TechDirt Wireless blog, analyst Mike Masnick says, "Now that the mobile WiMax standard has been approved, don't think you'll be seeing any actual mobile WiMax for years to come. Companies first need to make chips and equipment to meet the standard (which might not be as easy as they'd lead you to believe). Then, you have to go through the plugfest/certification process, which, if the 'fixed' certification process is any indication, will take quite some time."