The WiMAX Forum announced a technology roadmap that will allow mobile WiMAX to operate in the 700 MHz spectrum band. WiMAX in the U.S. has been mostly focused on the 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands, of which Sprint/Xohm and Clearwire are major holders/users. Expanding to the 700 MHz bands opens up a range of opportunities with other carriers, especially after the conclusion of the current 700 MHz auction. It’s unclear how long before 700 MHz WiMAX options will be available, but the WiMAX Forum reports that work on the technical specifications is already underway in the association’s working groups.
An interesting side note is speculation by Fierce Broadband Wireless editors that suggests the WiMAX Forum is also close to announcing a WIMAX profile for the AWS spectrum bands, which operate in 2496-2690 MHz. It’s often overlooked that one of the largest holders of this spectrum is the cable industry. Should mobile WiMAX extend its roadmap to AWS, it could provide a path for cable companies to get in on WiMAX, providing them the broadband wireless strategy they so desperately need. Stay tuned.
