Following a detailed evaluation against stringent technical and operational criteria, ITU has determined that "LTE-Advanced" and "WirelessMAN-Advanced" should be accorded the official designation of IMT-Advanced. As the most advanced technologies currently defined for global wireless mobile broadband communications, IMT-Advanced is considered as "4G", although it is recognized that this term, while undefined, may also be applied to the forerunners of these technologies, LTE and WiMax, and to other evolved 3G technologies providing a substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities with respect to the initial third generation systems now deployed. The detailed specifications of the IMT-Advanced technologies will be provided in a new ITU-R Recommendation expected in early 2012.
What it clarifies?
There has been much recent news in the media regarding the use of the term "4G," and as a result of certain communications from the ITU WiMAX's status as a 4G technology has been brought into question. We at WiMAX Forum would like to make certain that you remain updated on this activity, and we have good news. The ITU issued a press release on Monday, December 6th, in which it clarified its recent decision regarding the platform for the next generations of mobile broadband telecommunications known as IMT-Advanced.
Prior to yesterday's press release the ITU had publicized that only
IMT-Advanced technologies such as 802.16m are considered to be 4G. This
more recent announcement is positive news as it gives the WiMAX industry
an official ITU position to reference when
asked to define "4G" in the market place.
Press release link from ITU:
http://www.itu.int/net/pressoffice/press_releases/2010/48.aspx
