IEEE pushing 802.16m WiMAX to 1Gbps, hopes to converge with 4G
By Darren Murph 
posted Feb 20th 2007 9:42PM
posted Feb 20th 2007 9:42PM
If there's one thing that we'll never be satisfied with, it's finding out just how many nanoseconds we can shave off our download times from year to year, and thankfully, the IEEE seems to get that. While it has certainly taken its sweet time with 802.11n, the task force has already voted to make 100G the next Ethernet speed, and now it's pushing to make WiMAX implementations even quicker. Reportedly announced at 3GSM, the IEEE has began working on a new version of the 802.16 standard, dubbed 802.16m, which "could push data transfer speeds up to 1Gbps while maintaining backwards compatibility with existing WiMAX radios." Potentially more interesting than cheering for speed boosts is the group's outright assurance that this protocol will meet the ITU's requirements for 4G, insinuating that it should be the token choice for further 4G developments. Nevertheless, the increased bandwidth is supposedly needed due to convergence between VoIP and various forms of multimedia (IPTV, streaming video, digital downloads, etc.), and however true that may be, some skeptics are still understandably doubting the whole "backwards compatibility" aspect. Still, the IEEE hopes to have this together by "the end of 2009," but considering the team's less-than-stellar track record in the deadline department, we're not holding our collective breath.[Via DailyWireless]
damn, I don't even have wired 1Gbps.
And even when gigabit wifi is available, it won't be available in the U.S., which will still be struggling to roll out wired DSL. AT&T will have pushed through legislation forbidding anyone but them from offering it, and their plan for roll-out of gigabit wifi will be to have complete coverage by 2060.
Come on! Finish the thing you started. I have to wonder if there is even one engineer working on 802.11 n anymore
"the IEEE has began working on" ??
we're only talking about having to proof read a paragraph.
I'll even do it for you if you pay me. Or at least let me put it on my resume.
Do we honestly need such (theoretical) speed?
If they just increased range and security on current standards that would be a lot more useful IMO
omg so many sceptic.
That is nice.
for WiMAX IEEE do good job.
802.16d
802.16e
I expect 802.16m soon gj IEEE
constantnormal, I think Cingular is pushing WiMAX in the US, they are spending billions on the project so it is very likely we'll see WiMAX easily available in the US.
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