On December 14, the WiMAX Forum® announced plans to create the first ever WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratory in India by 2008. This laboratory will be part of the organization’s global initiative of establishing and operating such centers in key telecom markets. Its establishment will enable WiMAX equipment vendors in the country to accelerate the certification process targeting the Indian market.
Commenting that India’s ecosystem is strategic to the success of WiMAX technology Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum said, “WiMAX is the key to addressing India’s huge market demand for broadband Internet, and preparing to meet the future needs of the country’s communication needs.”
Emphasizing the broadband policy and allocation of the spectrum for broadband deployment is the most important issue to be addressed in India, Dr. Mohammad Shakouri, the Forum’s vice-president marketing, added, “A most important issue is that of allocation of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band. With the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approving the inclusion of WiMAX technologies in the IMT-2000 set of standards earlier this year, WiMAX spectrum will become more readily available to operators worldwide, increasing the potential of building cost effective wireless telecommunication infrastructure in India to help it compete with the global economy. “
He added, “The WiMAX Forum will continue to work with the Indian government and existing telecommunications organizations to promote and substantiate that adequate spectrum and bandwidth is allocated for WiMAX deployments while presenting no conflict with existing technologies.”