Nokia, the world's largest cell phone handset manufacturer, is hoping to release models featuring WiMAX technology in 2008. The current iteration of WiMAX is only able to connect when a receiver is stationary, but a new mobile revision is expected to be released by the end of this year.

Nokia plans to use WiMAX as a supplemental medium for broadband access in addition to current third-generation telephone networks. In order to maintain a higher quality of service for voice calls, cellular broadband access is often given a lower priority. With the envisioned WiMAX usage, traffic on the voice network could be reduced while improving coverage areas and throughput of data services.

Many of Nokia's competitors have opted instead to pursue 4G alternatives to WiMAX.  Sprint Nextel is at the forefront of this push for 4G, along with Orange, T-Mobile, Vodaphone, Motorola and KPN Mobile.  Many of these companies have stated they will take a holistic approach, as Sprint Nextel is also the major proponent for ubiquitous WiMAX networks as well.

Base stations will be made available to commercial operators in the 2.5GHz band starting in late 2007. Sprint Nextel and Clearwire have already licensed large ranges of the available spectrum in the USA, and Sprint has an obligation with the FCC to offer 2.5GHz service to 30 million Americans by the end of 2010. For countries where the 2.5GHz band is unavailable, 3.5GHz base stations will be available in the first quarter of 2008.