Sixteen WiMAX operators from around the world convened in Taipei this week to draft an international roaming agreement for their 4G networks. The WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit, as it is being called, had just shy of seventy representatives working on the deal. Global roaming is projected to be a $67 billion business by 2015.
“The WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit was created to specifically address overcoming both business and consumer perceptions that data roaming is expensive, and to explore ways to help operators grow revenue,” said Ron Resnick, president of the WiMAX Forum. “WiMAX has an established ecosystem with nearly 600 deployments around the world. The opportunity for operators to offer their customers roaming is there, and it is an excellent way for operators to add another viable revenue stream and earn returns on their 4G network investments.”
Representatives from both Sprint Nextel and Clearwire attended the event. Full press release is after the break.
WiMAX™ Operators Gather to Draft Global Roaming Agreements
During the First WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit in Taiwan, Operators Collaborated on Roaming Framework, Efforts
TAIPEI, Taiwan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sixteen WiMAX operators from across the globe gathered in Taipei this week to draft roaming agreements and bring consumers one step closer to true global roaming on 4G networks. The first WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit served as an interactive working event for all service providers to gain a concrete understanding of the opportunity for roaming and how to build a best-in-class framework for execution.
Global roaming continues to be one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for operators in the near and long-term. According to Informa Telecoms & Media, global roaming revenues are expected to grow by 86 percent over the next five years to reach USD $67 billion in 2015.
“The WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit was created to specifically address overcoming both business and consumer perceptions that data roaming is expensive, and to explore ways to help operators grow revenue,” said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum. “WiMAX has an established ecosystem with nearly 600 deployments around the world. The opportunity for operators to offer their customers roaming is there, and it is an excellent way for operators to add another viable revenue stream and earn returns on their 4G network investments.”
Nearly 70 representatives attended working sessions and collaborated to overcome industry obstacles, including: Accton Wireless Broadband, Aicent, ADT-BV, Alepo, Apacewave, Aptilo, AT4 Wireless, Banglalion, BridgeWater Systems, BSNL, Bureau Veritas ADT, Clearwire, Elite Core – India, Encodex Telesystems, FarEasTone, Gemtek, Global Mobile, Greenpacket, ID-WIBB, Indochina Telecom, Intel, ITRI, KT Telecom, LG Electronics, Media Tek Inc., Mformation, Motorola, M-Skylink Telecom, Packet One International, Planet Online Laos, Samsung, Sprint, Syniverse, Tatung InfoComm Co. Ltd., TTC, UQ Communications, VeeTime, Wi-Tribe and YTL Communications.
The WiMAX Forum Operator Summit event team included representatives from Sprint Nextel, Packet One Networks and ITRI of Taiwan. Summit sponsors included: Aicent, Aptilo Networks, Gemtek, Global Mobile Corporation, Green Packet and Vee Telecom.
For more information on WiMAX Forum initiatives, please visit http://www.WiMAXForum.org.
