WiMAX roadmap

WiMax Roadmap

• Q3 2004: IEEE WiMax standard 802.16-2004 finalized, catching up to the industry's burgeoning pre-standard wireless broadband equipment.

• Q4 2004: The first standards-based WiMax chip sets could begin to hit the market.

• Q1 2005: Some say the wireless mobility standard may be finalized this quarter. Others believe it will take longer.

• Q2 2005: The first standards-based WiMax products, for outdoor installation, may begin to hit the market. The WiMax Forum establishes a laboratory in Europe to test the conformance of products to the WiMax standard and certify those that conform.

• Q3 2005: Either this quarter or the next, a second wave of WiMax products, for indoor installation, may begin to hit the market.

• Q4 2005: In this quarter or the next, the WiMax Forum's European lab may begin certifying the interoperability of WiMax products, eventually essential for mobile use. Carriers may begin trialing WiMax gear.

• 2006: WiMax deployment will accelerate, likely in areas that wireline broadband doesn't serve. Laptops may emerge with built-in or pluggable WiMax capabilities, though some believe it will take longer.