WiMAX Forum to launch certification lab in India

The WiMAX Forum has announced plans to create an official certification laboratory in India by 2008.

The laboratory will be known as the WiMAX Forum Designated Certification Laboratory and will be part of the organisation's global initiative of establishing and operating such centres in key telecom markets.

"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," said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the forum.

WiMAX Forum certified equipment gives operators a powerful platform to roll out advanced services and applications across a wide range of devices. The establishment of the certification laboratory in India will enable WiMAX equipment vendors in India to accelerate the certification process targeting the India market.

Emphasising the broadband policy and allocation of the spectrum for broadband deployment is the most important issue to be addressed in India, Dr Mohammad Shakouri, vice-president of marketing for the forum, added.

"A most important issue is that of allocation of spectrum in the 2.5 GHz band," he said.

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

"India is one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the world, and WiMAX technology has a major role to play in meeting the aspirations of the government and the acceleration of e-commerce to ensure the economy remains robust and sustains its current growth rate," Resnick said.