Why WiMAX and LTE are 4G Technologies

Author: Philip Solis, Research Director, Mobile Devices

Published: 26 Oct 2010

What is 4G? ABI Research director Phil Solis has discussed this question with hundreds of people throughout the mobile wireless industry over the last 5 years or so. Some in the industry agree with ABI Research that today's WiMAX (802.16e) and LTE technologies are 4G – and others disagree. Now that the ITU has officially accepted 802.16m and LTE-Advanced as IMT-Advanced technologies, the issue has surfaced again. What make it more confusing is that where the ITU mainly referred to IMT-2000 and IMT-Advanced in the past, it is now including 3G with IMT-2000 and 4G with IMT-Advanced. In ABI Research’s opinion WiMAX and LTE are still 4G technologies. Here’s why.

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