 802.16a. Its potential impact is enormous in that it adds mobility to 802.16a systems. Given that the ultimate goal of 802.16 is to provide a technology solution that will bridge the gap between fixed and mobile wireless systems, the addition of mobility could support the end-to-end needs of a subscriber in both environments. Con- sider, however, what the addition of mobility means. I often hear people say that "WiMAX represents a real threat to Wi-Fi!" Given that spectrum has already been allocated around the globe, mobile WiMAX represents more than a potential threat to Wi-Fi-it represents a REAL threat to 3G! Consider the tens of billions of dollars that have been spent in the last few years on 3G spectrum, very little of which has actually been deployed. Then along comes WiMAX with its promise of wireless broad- band connectivity with global reach, and suddenly 3G begins to appear a bit less attractive. 802.16e allows wireless ISPs (WISPs) to enter and take over a market with minimal investment in infrastructure, then offer a complete pack- age of services to subscribers. Wireless broadband, in the form of WiMAX, could also compete favorably with such options as cable modem and DSL (in fact, some analysts refer to WiMAX as wireless DSL). Several industry players are leading WiMAX's implementation. The first of these is Intel, which is making heavy investments into WiMAX as part of a strategy to take the lead in WiMAX the same way they did in Wi-Fi with Centrino. Their research shows that many people use their PDAs, broadband equipped mobile phones, and laptops to access data networks while mobile, a phenomenon that is causing a significant number of communities to build metro-based broadband access areas to serve them. As a founding member of the industry-led, nonprofit WiMAX Forum, Intel is leading the charge to promote compatibility and interoperability among certified broadband wireless products. The forum's member com- panies support the industry-wide acceptance of 802.16 as well as the European ETSI Hip