Five more service providers have given their support to WiMax, by joining the technology's biggest organization.

BT, France Telecom, Qwest Communications, Reliance Telecom and XO Communications have become members of the WiMax Forum, the industry organization that aims for interoperability among WiMax products reported today, putting its total membership at 98 members. The WiMax Forum formed a Service Provider Working Group to help encourage service providers to join up, and work on technical issues involving the technology.

WiMax, or its technical name from the IEEE, 802.16, enables broadband wireless services. Industry watchers have said that in order for WiMax to mature, it will require the support of service providers (see WiMax Expectations). As it stands, the WiMax market is poised to surpass $1 billion by 2009, even while broadband wireless proprietary solutions are expected to see equal billing, according to ABI Research.

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