The truth is, neither WiMax nor LTE (Long-Term Evolution) qualify as 4G (fourth-generation) technologies, according to the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R). On Thursday, the group announced it had finished its assessment of submissions for the 4G standard, also called IMT-Advanced. Based on that group's decision, to really be selling 4G, carriers will have to get going with one of two future technologies, called LTE-Advanced and WirelessMAN-Advanced. The latter, also known as IEEE 802.16m, will form the basis of WiMax Release 2.
The IEEE 802.16 Working Group is the IEEE group for Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs), in particular Part 16: Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems. The working group develops standards and recommended practices to support the development and deployment of fixed broadband wireless access systems.
