The WiMAX Forum®, an industry-led non-profit organization committed to promoting and certifying interoperable WiMAX products, today announced that Vodafone, the world's leading international mobile communications group, has become a principal member of the WiMAX Forum.

WiMAX technology is set to allow high-speed internet access from laptops and other mobile devices over larger distances than previous technologies such as Wi-Fi.

"Our membership of the WiMAX Forum will complement our existing memberships of other key industry bodies such as the GSMA, 3GPP and the Next Generation Mobile Network initiative," said Steve Pusey, Global Chief Technology Officer, Vodafone. "Vodafone remains technology neutral as far as our future network options are concerned, and joining the WiMAX Forum is a logical step as we seek to evaluate the full capabilities and potential of this technology."

"The WiMAX Forum is pleased that Vodafone has joined our organization," said Ron Resnick, President of WiMAX Forum, "We look forward to Vodafone playing a key role in the future development of WiMAX technology."

The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led non-profit organization comprising more than 470 companies including 141 operators committed to promoting and certifying interoperable WiMAX products. WiMAX products are designed to deliver wireless broadband services to both residential customers and businesses by creating economies of scale made possible by standards-based, interoperable products and services.

A complete list of current WiMAX Forum members is found here: http://www.wimaxforum.org/about/Current_Members/.