Inaugural WiMAX Forum® Global Congress Draws More Than 2,500 Attendees in Amsterdam

More than 2,500 visitors from 120 countries converged on the RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre in Amsterdam from June 17–18 for the inaugural WiMAX Forum Global Congress, establishing it as the most important global WiMAXTM event in 2008.

"We have been overwhelmed by exhibitors claiming our event has brought in new real–time business opportunities beyond their expectations and their scheduled meetings. We are please to achieve this success at our very first WiMAX Forum Global Congress," said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum. "Our events are clear evidence that WiMAX, with the capability to deliver Mobile Internet and fixed broadband services, is here today and our members are dedicated to bringing mobile broadband products and services to consumers worldwide."

Delegates and visitors, representing the mobile broadband ecosystem networked with more than 75 exhibiting companies over the two days of the Congress. The keynotes included top WiMAX industry experts from company leaders across the ecosystem, including Sprint, KT, Tata Communications Ltd., Microsoft, Intel Corporation, among numerous others.

Prior to the conclusion of the Congress, 99 percent of the 2008 floor space had been rebooked, with 76 percent of exhibitors committing to participating in the 2009 event in Amsterdam.

"The WiMAX Forum Global Congress has become the de facto premier event for the WiMAX industry," said Christopher Wilhelm, Director of Marketing Communications, Aperto Networks. "If you are serious about WiMAX, you must be there."

The WiMAX Forum® and its event partner, Informa Telecoms & Media, will now turn their attention to the third show in the annual series, the WiMAX Forum Congress Latin America. WiMAX Forum Congress Latin America will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 3–4, 2008.

The WiMAX Forum Congress Event Series also includes the WiMAX Forum Congress Asia held April 9–10, 2008, in Singapore. This event welcomed more than 2,500 visitors and more than 50 exhibiting companies.

"The record attendance by operators at our conference facilitated with a high energy and interactive conference agenda addressed key technology and product developments," said Resnick. "On the trade show floor, operators and equipment vendors actively engaged and conducted business throughout the entire two days of the event. Our keynote highlight by WorldMAX was impressive with a real–time video demonstration of its recently deployed WiMAX network delivering crystal clear video transmission and voice conferencing."

During the event, the WiMAX Forum announced the first ten Mobile WiMAX products received the WiMAX Forum CertifiedTM Seal of Approval for the 2.5 GHz profile (titled MP05). The WiMAX Forum also revealed its roadmap for 3.5 and 2.3 GHz equipment certification during the show, with plans for equipment in the 3.5 GHz band to achieve certification by the end of 2008.

Alvarion Ltd., Motorola Inc., Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. and Sequans Communications each received the WiMAX Forum Certified Seal of Approval for a 2.5 GHz base station. Airspan Networks, Beceem Communications Inc., Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd., Sequans Communications and ZyXEL each received the WiMAX Forum Certified Seal of Approval for a 2.5 GHz mobile station module.

About WiMAX Forum®

The WiMAX Forum® is an industry–led, not–for–profit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16/ETSI HiperMAN standard. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the marketplace. WiMAX Forum Certified products are interoperable and support broadband fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile services. Along these lines, the WiMAX Forum works closely with service providers and regulators to ensure that WiMAX Forum Certified systems meet customer and government requirements. Through the WiMAX Forum Congress Events Series of global trade shows and events, the WiMAX Forum is committed to furthering education, training and collaboration to expand the reach of the WiMAX ecosystem. For more information, visit the trade show link at www.wimaxforum.org.

"WiMAX Forum" is a registered trademark of the WiMAX Forum. "WiMAX," the WiMAX Forum logo, "WiMAX Forum Certified," and the WiMAX Forum Certified logo are trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.