WiMAX Forum Announces Brazil Office, Appoints Director

July 05, 2007

The WiMAX Forum, an industry-led non-profit organization comprising more than 460 companies committed to promoting and certifying interoperable WiMAX products, today announced establishment of the WiMAX Forum Brazil Office in conjunction with appointment of the WiMAX Forum Brazil Director.

With the expanding interest in WiMAX technology and deployments in the region, in addition to active interest from WiMAX Forum’s Brazilian member companies, the WiMAX Forum has created a permanent presence in this market with the appointment of Brazil Director, Mr. Luiz C. Moraes Rego, faculty member of the Getulio Vargas Foundation Business School of Sao Paulo (FGV-EAESP).

"I am very excited to represent the WiMAX Forum in this rapidly developing region," said Rego. "WiMAX is a technology that matters for the emerging South American countries' economies. A standards based technology like WiMAX will allow for quick deployment over very broad areas to help bridge the digital divide and provide businesses with more broadband solutions."

Rego will manage all of the WiMAX Forum activities in Brazil, with a particular focus this year on addressing regulatory and member operator engagement. An important driver of new growth is to bring broadband wireless access to thousands of small and medium sized cities presently underserved or not served at all. The presence of a WiMAX Forum office and director in Brazil will help to ensure WiMAX plays a major role in this new growth.

Brazil, in particular, is a potentially significant market for WiMAX technology deployments, as WiMAX technology is already being deployed by service providers including Neovia, Brasil Telecom, Grupo Sinos, TVA and Embratel. In addition many operators, businesses have announced trials and would like to leverage WiMAX technology for broadband connectivity and digital divide.

"Brazilian Telecom Industry after years of fast growth fueled mainly by a new regulatory framework and a huge unsatisfied demand shows signs of deceleration," said Rego. "An important driver of new growth is the potential to boost overall economic activity. WiMAX would have a major role in that."

The WiMAX Forum Brazil Office is the organization's sixth office, with additional offices located in the United States, China, India, Taiwan, and Japan.