Samsung Electronics joins WiMAX Forum

December 28, 2004

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in telecommunication, semiconductor, digital media and digital convergence technologies, announced today it has become a principal member of the WiMAX Forum. Samsung has been developing IEEE 802.16e based products for the commercialization in Korea by the first half of 2006 and for the delivery of WiMAX Forum Certified products to the global market.

"We are delighted Samsung has joined the WiMAX Forum," WiMAX Forum President Ron Resnick stated. "Samsung has been contributing to the IEEE 802.16 standardization activities and the wireless communications. Their strong commitment and capabilities should significantly help expand our scope with mobility for making broadband wireless available anytime, anywhere, around the globe."

By joining the WiMAX Forum, Samsung Electronics hopes to expand its scope into the mobile broadband wireless arena based on the IEEE 802.16 standards. Samsung has made significant contributions to Korea’s WiBro (Wireless Broadband) initiative as well as the IEEE 802.16 standards. WiBro is similar to WiMAX, as both are part of the IEEE 802.16 family of wireless standards. Whereas WiMAX was designed for stationary devices, Korea's home-grown WiBro technology can work with laptops and handhelds traveling at up to 60-70 kph (around 40 mph) in the range of 2.3GHz frequency bandwidth. WiBro is a brainchild of South Korean high-tech think tanks and companies which include ETRI, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and SK Telecom. Intel has agreed to secure compatibility between WiMAX and WiBro.