80216e

IEEE 802.16e-2005, commonly referred to as Mobile WiMAX, is an amendment to the IEEE 802.16 standard that adds mobility to the air interface for wireless metropolitan area networks. It defines a mobile version of the fixed WiMAX air interface and enables handovers, roaming between base stations, and service continuity for mobile users.

Technically, 802.16e uses orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) for both downlink and uplink, supports multiple channel bandwidths up to 20 MHz, and includes MIMO and adaptive modulation and coding. It introduces mobility features such as fast handover, seamless handover in a network with distributed base stations, and quality of service mechanisms to support voice, video, and data.

Frequency bands commonly used by 802.16e operate in licensed spectrum in the 2–11 GHz range, with deployments in various bands around the world; not all bands are supported by every device. The standard includes security features, power saving mechanisms, and support for scalable network architectures to accommodate mobile users.

Deployment and use: 802.16e was marketed as Mobile WiMAX by the WiMAX Forum and was adopted by several operators in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. In the United States, early efforts included deployments by Clearwire and Sprint as part of initial 4G offerings. Over time, the market shifted toward LTE, limiting widespread growth of 802.16e networks.

Evolution: 802.16m (WiMAX 2) was designed as an evolution of 802.16e to provide higher data rates and improved spectral efficiency. In many markets, 802.16e networks served as transitional technology, with operators migrating to LTE or decommissioning WiMAX networks by the 2010s.