Mobile WiMax. Across Europe there are WiMax networks in Austria, Czech Republic, France and Spain. The 802.16e broadband wireless technology will include fixed and mobile WiMax. While the mobile market could ultimately be much larger than fixed WiMax.

The new standard
In December 2005 mobile broadband (WiMax) has been ratified as an international standard, paving the way for rollouts of the high speed broadband wireless technology.

The new standard, known technically as 802.16e, means users will be able to connect anywhere in network coverage the previous standard know as 802.16-2004, allowed only for receiving a signal in a fixed location.

Standardisation is important because it allows service providers to use any vendor's equipment in any part of the network, lowering costs for the service provider, and ultimately for the end user. The two Wimax standards are not currently interoperable, although they can both be built into basestations at the same time. Work is underway to fuse the standards, but 802.16e is the one likely to gain most enthusiasm from users.

Across Europe there are mobile WiMax networks in Austria, Czech Republic, France, Spain, and other countries. Several UK service providers, including Telabria and Libera have rolled out Wimax networks based around the fixed Wimax standard. BT is also closely following proceedings, and has been partly waiting for the finalising of the mobile Wimax standard before committing to rollouts.