Latin America to Account for More Than 10 Percent of Global WiMAX TMSubscribers by 2012

The WiMAX Forum® projects that more than 13 million consumers in Latin America will be WiMAX users by 2012. Additional data from this WiMAX Forum study estimates that approximately 70 percent of the forecasted WiMAX subscribers by 2012 will utilize mobile and portable WiMAX devices to access broadband Internet services.

The WiMAX Forum Worldwide Subscriber and User Forecast examines the progress of WiMAX service providers, equipment vendors, content developers and subscribers in regions around the world. The results reflect the accelerated growth of the WiMAX ecosystem, the acceptance of WiMAX technology and demand for mobile Internet services across the world. The forecast is based on results of an independently commissioned research study published this year.

"WiMAX devices are available now for deployment worldwide delivering best in class broadband services to consumers at a cost significantly lower than any other technology" said Ron Resnick, president and Chairman of the WiMAX Forum. "Toward this end, Latin American countries have started making the commitment and taking steps to ensure wireless broadband services are a reality that enables operators to meet the region´s diverse market and economic needs and growing population."

WiMAX in Latin America

Currently, there are 95 WiMAX deployments in the Caribbean and Latin American region, with 10 deployments in Brazil and seven in Peru. WiMAX is quickly taking center stage in Latin America with several key auctions expected in 2009.

• Argentina – Over 100 companies have expressed interest in purchasing licenses at the Resolution 250/2008 spectrum auction, where 3.3–3.7 GHz spectrum for WiMAX will be auctioned off.
• Colombia – The Colombian Communications Ministry expects to award spectrum licenses in 2009.
• Jamaica – The Jamaican Ministry of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce (MCT) has released information about the upcoming auction for 2.5GHz band licenses. Information released included details about 125MHz distributed for wireless broadband and 3G services, and 65MHz for subscriber TV services (STV) in the 2500MHz–2650MHz band.

"In November, the Brazilian Telecom Regulator, Anatel, requested comments and suggestions from interested parties on its drafted proposal of conditions for use and channelization of band 3.4 - 3.6 GHz allocated primarily for Mobile and Mobile Personal Services," said Resnick. "This alludes to a future auction of frequencies in that prime WiMAX band, clearing the way to intensify the WiMAX movement in Brazil and Latin American overall. We expect that this region will be a major growth area for WiMAX in the next few years."

The Robust WiMAX Ecosystem

The WiMAX Forum represents more than 530 member companies, committed to the success of the WiMAX standard. WiMAX Forum membership consists of 148 ecosystem content developers, 166 service providers, 85 silicon component manufacturers and 133 system vendors.

Currently, more than 35 WiMAX Forum member companies are producing WiMAX base stations, 30 companies are providing PC Cards, USB modems, MIDs, and other personal devices, 25 companies provide chipsets and reference designs, and seven of the top eight global device manufacturers are developing WiMAX products.

Further signifying the rapid growth of the WiMAX ecosystem, the first Mobile WiMAX TM products have been WiMAX Forum Certified TM in the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands. 3.5 GHz products are currently under certification testing are expected to be announced by the end of the year. The WiMAX Forum estimates that by 2011 there will be more than 1,000 Mobile WiMAX Certified products found throughout the world.

There are currently more than 400 deployments of WiMAX networks in more than 133 counties. The WiMAX Forum also expects to have a comprehensive global roaming plan available to operators by the end of 2008.

For more information on the WiMAX ecosystem, including the WiMAX Forum Subscriber and User Forecast, please visit the WiMAX Forum website at www.wimaxforum.org.

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" and the WiMAX Forum Certified logo are registered trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. "WiMAX," "Mobile WiMAX," "Fixed WiMAX," "WiMAX Certified," "WiMAX Forum Certified," and the WiMAX Forum logo are trademarks of the WiMAX Forum. Third–party trademarks contained in this document are the property of their respective owners.