Development of specifications for WiMAX Advanced Release 2.2, which focuses on WiMAX/TD-LTE radio access network (RAN) deployment, is progressing quickly, according to the WiMAX Forum.
In the group's July newsletter, the WiMAX Forum said its technical working group (TWG) has begun to develop initial drafts of Release 2.2 stage 2 and stage 3 network and air interface specifications. The goal is to enable "WiMAX/TD-LTE RAN deployment, in adjacent-channel and co-channel operation, by a single operator, using a common or partially-common core network," said the forum.
The TWG and members of the WiMAX Advanced subcommittee will begin weekly calls on Aug. 6 and will meet in person on Aug. 26 in Tokyo. A meeting is also planned during the WiMAX Member Conference during the week of Sept. 9 in Washington, D.C.
"The current plan is to have specification development complete and final document published by the end of 2013," said the WiMAX Forum.
In a June 2013 press release, the forum said enabling spectrum-limited WiMAX operators to introduce alternative radio access technologies such as TD-LTE and Wi-Fi into their networks while maintaining service for their existing WiMAX customer base is critically important and promises an expanded ecosystem of devices.
In that release, the forum said representatives from Huawei, Samsung, KDDI, UQ Communications, KT and Telrad had been instrumental in specification development for WiMAX Advanced Release 2.2.
Acknowledging that most WiMAX operators are also interested, or already investing, in other radio access technologies, the WiMAX Forum announced in October 2012 that it would address harmonization of standards within IMT Advanced technologies, which include LTE Advanced and WiMAX Advanced.
For more:
- see this WiMAX Forum release
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