Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD-message board) announced today it has joined the WiMAX Forum , a not-for-profit trade body that certifies 802.16 technology and promotes the deployment of WiMax networks. (See Vodafone Joins WiMAX Forum.)

    That a GSM operator would endorse an alternative, wireless IP technology might have seemed unlikely, and perhaps even counterproductive, just a few years ago. But for mobile operators with operations in multiple territories, especially emerging markets, WiMax now seems to be as much a part of the technology roadmap as any other wireless broadband technology.

    Vodafone's CTO, Steve Pusey, recognized as much today in a prepared statement. "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," stated Pusey, adding that joining the Forum "will complement" the operator's membership in other bodies, such as the GSM Association , 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) , and the Next Generation Mobile Networks (NGMN) initiative.

    The announcement is also a reminder, though, that Vodafone is increasingly narked by the slow pace at which new high-speed technologies, such as long term evolution (LTE) or 4G for GSM operators, are being developed. The carrier's CEO, Arun Sarin, made his company's views on such matters quite clear earlier this year at the annual 3GSM jamboree in Barcelona. (See 3GSM: Mobile's Fear Factor.)

    In general terms, Vodafone's membership in the WiMax Forum makes sense, say analysts.

    Ovum Ltd.'s John Delaney reckons Vodafone's move is "especially logical because of its increasing presence in emerging markets. The prospects for WiMax to play an important role in the future development of mobile are better in those parts of the world where large numbers of people do not yet have access to telecoms or the Internet."