Work begins on 1Gbps Mobile WiMAX spec

Even though WiMAX has yet to arrive in full force, that isn't keeping the IEEE from starting work on 802.16m. It's an ambitious plan: bump WiMAX speeds up to 1Gbps while maintaining backwards compatibility with 802.16e-2005, better known as Mobile WiMAX.

The IEEE is setting out an aggressive timeline for the development of "gigabit WiMAX." The standards-setting group hopes to have the technology development phase wrapped up by the end of 2007. Balloting would then take place during much of 2008, with the standard ratified by the beginning of 2009 and finalized by the end of that year.

802.16m will use multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology similar to current Mobile WiMAX technology. Those backing the new spec plan to increase bandwidth by using larger MIMO antenna arrays.

Cellular companies are eyeing the proposed new spec as a "convergence" 4G technology that would merge two parallel streams of wireless technology, 3G and 802.16, into a single standard. 802.16m would also enable wireless providers to offer the same breadth of services possible on wired networks, like streaming video, IPTV, and VoIP.

Although current 802.16e-2005 and planned 802.16m services are targeted towards mobile users, there is no reason why they couldn't be marketed as a fixed solution for those dissatisfied with their current broadband offerings.