The WiMAX Forum announced the launch of its Global Roaming Program that allows operators and vendors to obtain the information required to establish WiMAX roaming services.

Roaming capabilities allow subscribers to access WiMAX and other services while traveling outside their home network geographical coverage area.

The WIMAX Forum Global Roaming program includes several documents for WiMAX Forum member companies implementing roaming services, including technical specifications, a test plan, a roaming contract template and a guide to follow when implementing roaming.

“Member companies have yet another tool to facilitate the advancement of their WiMAX technology innovations and make 4G a seamless experience for customers,” said John Dubois, Global Roaming Director of WiMAX Forum. “We are already beginning to see how WiMAX technology will drastically improve the next-generation of broadband applications and services, and this roaming readiness program is another example of how the WiMAX ecosystem is working to extend the availability of services to subscribers.”

The Roaming Program documents were developed by WiMAX Forum members with input from over twenty WiMAX operators and the support of several roaming exchange, clearing and settlement providers including Accuris Networks, Aicent, Comfone, I-Pass, MACH-Cibernet, QuiConnect, Syniverse and Verisign. According to Ali Tabassi, Senior Vice President, Global Ecosystem and Standards with Clearwire, “The Roaming Program provides operators with a much needed set of common specifications and processes to follow in establishing roaming services.” Mr. Sang Ho Ough, Deputy Director of KT Mobile WiMAX Business Unit Planning Department, indicated that “KT plans to establish roaming services in 2009 using the specifications and processes provided by the WiMAX Roaming Program.”

In order for users to access WiMAX services outside of their operator’s WiMAX network coverage area, devices must be interoperable across other WiMAX networks and between various vendors’ equipment.

There are currently more than 407 WiMAX deployments in 133 countries.