The IEEE has approved a new standard that kicks Wi-Fi up into the service provider environment.
IEEE 802.16m is actually an extension to existing standards, with the official name of “Amendment to IEEE Standard for Local and Metropolitan Area Networks, Part 16: Air Interface for Broadband Wireless Access Systems – Advanced Air Interface.”
The organization explained that IEEE 802.16m provides the performance improvements necessary to support future advanced services and applications for next-generation broadband mobile communications.
It incorporates technologies such as multi-user MIMO, multicarrier operation and cooperative communications. It supports femtocells, self-organizing networks and relays.