With an aim to draft roaming agreements and bring consumers one step closer to true global roaming on 4G networks, 16 WIMAX operators gathered in Taipei this week for the first WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit.
The Summit served as an interactive working event for all service providers to gain a concrete understanding of the opportunity for roaming and how to build a best-in-class framework for execution.
“The WiMAX Forum Global Operator Summit was created to specifically address overcoming both business and consumer perceptions that data roaming is expensive, and to explore ways to help operators grow revenue,” said Ron Resnick, president and chairman of the WiMAX Forum, in a press release.
He added, “WiMAX has an established ecosystem with nearly 600 deployments around the world. The opportunity for operators to offer their customers roaming is there, and it is an excellent way for operators to add another viable revenue stream and earn returns on their 4G network investments.”
According to Informa Telecoms & Media (News - Alert), global roaming revenues are expected to grow by 86 percent over the next five years to reach $67 billion in 2015. This proves that Global roaming continues to be one of the biggest challenges and opportunities for operators in the near and long-term.
Nearly 70 representatives attended working sessions and collaborated to overcome industry obstacles, including: Accton Wireless Broadband, Aicent, ADT-BV, Alepo (News - Alert), Apacewave, Aptilo, AT4 Wireless, Banglalion, BridgeWater Systems, BSNL, Bureau Veritas ADT, Clearwire, Elite Core – India, Encodex Telesystems, FarEasTone, Gemtek, Global Mobile, Greenpacket, ID-WIBB, Indochina Telecom, Intel (News - Alert), ITRI, KT Telecom, LG Electronics, Media Tek Inc., Mformation, Motorola, M-Skylink Telecom, Packet One International, Planet Online Laos, Samsung, Sprint, Syniverse (News - Alert), Tatung InfoComm Co. Ltd., TTC, UQ Communications, VeeTime, Wi-Tribe and YTL Communications.
Various representatives from Sprint Nextel, Packet One Networks and ITRI of Taiwan formed the event team of WiMAX Forum Operator Summit. Summit sponsors included: Aicent, Aptilo Networks, Gemtek, Global Mobile Corporation, Green Packet (News - Alert) and Vee Telecom.
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Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Janice McDuffee