WiMAX Forum

What WiMAX Forum does

The WiMAX Forum is a not-for-profit, industry-led consortium founded in June 2001 and headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon (USA). It certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products built on IEEE Standard 802.16 across three certification programs: WiMAX (OFDMA-based mobile 4G broadband), AeroMACS (aviation surface communications in the ITU-designated 5091–5150 MHz band), and WiGRID (Smart Grid-optimized profile). Operationally, the forum runs Designated Certification Laboratories (the ADCL for AeroMACS and the WDCL for WiGRID) and maintains vertical Working Groups (Aviation Working Group, Smart Energy Working Group) that bring together regulators, operators, and vendors to evolve technical specifications.

The organization monetizes through a tiered annual membership model: Network Operators pay $10,000 USD per year and Manufacturers or Systems Integrators pay $30,000 USD per year, with renewal on December 1. A secondary revenue stream comes from AeroMACS Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) services — X.509 digital certificates delivered in partnership with Eonti (the Management Authority) — and from certification fees for member products. Distribution is membership- and certification-driven rather than commercial; certified products are listed in an online Product Showcase. Aviation adoption is supported by ICAO SARPS approval (Amendment 90 to Annex 10, endorsed by 192 nations in November 2016), FAA and EUROCONTROL validation, and RTCA/EUROCAE Minimum Operational Performance Standards.

The forum's stakeholder base spans government agencies (FAA, NASA, EUROCONTROL, ICAO partner organizations such as CAAC, DECEA, JCAB), airlines (United Airlines, ADCC), aerospace vendors (Honeywell, Siemens), utilities (BC Hydro, Hawaiian Electric, Hydro One, Great River Energy), telecom operators (KT Corporation, NTT, UQ Communications), and OEMs (Samsung). Footprint metrics cited by the forum include 580+ WiMAX networks across 149 countries, 40+ airports with AeroMACS implementations, and "hundreds of millions" of broadband subscriptions served by TDD technologies in rural and emerging markets.

Name

WiMAX Forum

Legal name

WiMAX Forum

Website

https://wimaxforum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WiMAX Forum is a not-for-profit industry consortium, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Oregon, that certifies and promotes IEEE 802.16-based broadband wireless technologies — WiMAX, AeroMACS for aviation, and WiGRID for utilities — serving network operators, manufacturers, regulators, and government agencies worldwide through tiered membership and certification programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wireless Standards Certification

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Interoperability Standards, Certification & Compliance (NERC CIP comms, FCC/licensing) (EUADAIAN)

Keywords

• Wireless certification
• Broadband interoperability
• IEEE 802.16 standards
• Airport surface communications
• Smart grid wireless

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaverton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The WiMAX Forum generates revenue through annual membership fees. Network Operators or Users of the technology pay $10,000.00 USD annually, while Manufacturers or Systems Integrators pay $30,000.00 USD annually. Membership renewal fees are due on December 1 of each year.
2. Certification Services: Revenue is generated through product certification services. Only WiMAX Forum Members can certify products to guarantee interoperability and standard compliance for AeroMACS, WiGRID, and WiMAX. Certified products are listed in the online product showcase.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

WiMAX Forum is a not-for-profit industry consortium that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on IEEE Standard 802.16. Its core deliverable is a global certification program covering three technology profiles: AeroMACS for aviation airport surface communications, WiGRID for Smart Grid utility networks, and WiMAX for mobile 4G broadband. Certification testing is executed through Designated Certification Laboratories (ADCL and WDCL), and members receive access to working groups, technical specifications, PKI security services, and use of certification marks.

Product overview

WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, not-for-profit certification and standards organization (established June 2001) that promotes compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on IEEE Standard 802.16. The organization offers three main certification programs: AeroMACS for aviation airport surface communications, WiGRID for Smart Grid utility applications, and WiMAX for mobile 4G broadband services. Additionally, WiMAX Forum provides AeroMACS PKI (X.509 certificates) for network security, operates technical Working Groups (Aviation Working Group and Smart Energy Working Group), and facilitates standards development. All certification programs ensure conformance to IEEE Std 802.16 and provide interoperability worldwide through Designated Certification Laboratories.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AeroMACS: Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communication System - a wireless broadband technology that supports data communications and information sharing on the airport surface based on WiMAX standard (IEEE 802.16e)
• WiGRID
• WiMAX Advanced

Products and services

• AeroMACS Certification Program Certification program for wireless broadband products based on IEEE 802.16e in the 5091-5150 MHz aviation spectrum, supporting Air Traffic Control (ATC), Airline Operations Communications (AOC), and airport infrastructure applications. Testing is performed at the AeroMACS Designated Certification Laboratory (ADCL). Certification is open only to WiMAX Forum members, and certified products are listed in the online Product Showcase.
• WiGRID Certification Program Certification program for IEEE 802.16 system profile products optimized for Smart Grid applications, providing wireless broadband for distribution automation, AMI backhaul, demand response, and utility network management. Testing is performed at the WiGRID Designated Certification Laboratory (WDCL); certified products attest to conformance to IEEE Std 802.16 interoperability worldwide.
• WiMAX Certification Program Certification program for OFDMA-based, all-IP mobile 4G broadband products built on IEEE 802.16, supporting fixed, nomadic, portable, and mobile services. The WiMAX Forum Certified mark is licensed to qualifying products, and certification includes the WiMAX Advanced evolution roadmap with backward-compatible transition options and LTE TDD compatibility via the GTI partnership.
• AeroMACS Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Service Commercial PKI service issuing X.509 digital certificates to secure AeroMACS network deployments. Operated through Eonti serving as Management Authority, with strategic guidance from the AeroMACS Advisory Council (AAC). Designed to serve as a PKI model for other aviation technologies.
• WiMAX Forum Membership Annual consortium membership providing access to certification programs, working groups (Aviation Working Group, Smart Energy Working Group), technical specifications, eligibility for Board of Directors election, working group leadership, and use of certified marks. Network Operators/Users pay $10,000 USD/year; Manufacturers/Systems Integrators pay $30,000 USD/year.

Quantifiable outcome

• 580 WiMAX networks deployed in 149 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EonticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEonti serves as the Management Authority (MA) for the AeroMACS PKI Program. The WiMAX Forum partnered with Eonti to provide commercially available PKI certificates (X.509) to the aviation industry planning AeroMACS deployments. Strategic guidance is provided by the AeroMACS Advisory Council (AAC), a collaborative body comprised of WiMAX Forum Members, worldwide regulatory organizations, and ICAO.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICAO approved the AeroMACS Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) resulting in Amendment 90 to ICAO Annex 10, endorsed by 192 nations. ICAO developed the AeroMACS Technical Manual and guidance document. The WiMAX Forum collaborates with ICAO Working Group M on AeroMACS SARPs and Technical Manual enhancement.
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FAA has validated AeroMACS as a technology to support safety and regularity of flight. Following FAA technology recommendations, the WiMAX Forum instituted the Aviation Working Group (AWG). The FAA participated in AeroMACS trials and demonstrations with NASA.
• EUROCONTROLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEUROCONTROL validated AeroMACS as the technology recommended for airport surface communications in Europe. Following EUROCONTROL recommendations, the WiMAX Forum established the Aviation Working Group. EUROCONTROL and the FAA identified AeroMACS to support growing data communications needs at slot-limited airports.
• RTCA and EUROCAEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTCA and EUROCAE jointly developed and approved the AeroMACS Minimum Operational Performance Standards (MOPS) and the AeroMACS Profile document for aviation equipment certification.
• ARINC AEECcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARINC AEEC unanimously approved the initiation of AeroMACS Standards that will enable the system to be installed in commercial type aircraft. Initial applications will support Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) in cockpits.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA Glenn Research Center operates an AeroMACS Trial at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport since 2007 for standard validation. NASA and FAA demonstrated wireless communication with aircraft using AeroMACS technology, conveying aviation data over wireless communication for aircraft on the ground.
• Global LTE TDD (GTI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn early 2014, the WiMAX Forum entered a strategic partnership with Global LTE TDD (GTI) to guarantee WiMAX Advanced is fully compatible with LTE TDD. This partnership ensures operators can share economy of scale of LTE TDD and provide service with either BWA or IMT-Advanced network implementations.
• Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe WiMAX Forum is a Founding Member of the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting standards harmonization and advancing interoperability of Smart Grid devices and systems.
• IEEEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Smart Energy Working Group works closely with IEEE to bring devices for narrowband applications and other sub 1GHz spectrum to market. IEEE 802.16t project specifies operation in licensed spectrum for mission critical entities preferring private, licensed networks.
• AeroMACS Partner OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWiMAX Forum partners with AAAE, ACI-NA, Airlines for America, ASRI, AFC, CAAC, DECEA, DFS, ENRI, JCAB, SITA, and Civil Aviation Administration of China's (CAAC) on various AeroMACS initiatives, regulatory filings, and standardization activities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wi-Fi Alliance: Global non-profit industry consortium that certifies Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11) products through its own certification programs and owns the Wi-Fi trademark — structurally the closest analog to WiMAX Forum as a wireless standards certification body.
• Bluetooth SIG: Industry-run non-profit that owns the Bluetooth trademark, runs the Bluetooth qualification/certification program, and charges membership + qualification fees — a near-twin operating model for WiMAX Forum in a different wireless protocol.
• Broadband Forum: Non-profit industry consortium driving broadband network specifications and certifications (TR-069, etc.) — analogous in function to WiMAX Forum for fixed/multi-service broadband interoperability.
• Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly Zigbee Alliance): Industry consortium that certifies Matter, Zigbee, and other IoT connectivity products and owns associated trademarks — functionally analogous to WiMAX Forum in the IoT/connected-device certification space.
• NFC Forum: Industry standards and certification body for NFC products and the NFC trademark — a smaller wireless-protocol certification consortium with a structure closely resembling WiMAX Forum.

Broad incumbents

• IEEE Standards Association: The standards body that authored IEEE 802.16, which WiMAX Forum certifies against — the upstream standards publisher and a broad incumbent with global reach across hundreds of technology domains.
• 3GPP: The global mobile broadband standards partnership (LTE, 5G NR) — the broader ecosystem whose standards are progressively displacing WiMAX in commercial telecom.
• GSMA: Global mobile operator industry organization — a comparable non-profit consortium for mobile communications, though with broader commercial-mandate scope than WiMAX Forum.
• CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association): US wireless industry association representing carriers and manufacturers — adjacent trade group with similar membership/certification dynamics in the cellular ecosystem.

Emerging players

• Small Cell Forum: Industry consortium promoting small cell deployment and interoperability — a more recent wireless-infrastructure standards body whose member/working-group model parallels WiMAX Forum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WiMAX_Forum
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCwkxFaRSO4rqHKiwAtI3wWA
• Facebookfacebook.com/WiMAXForum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wimax-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WiMAX Forum