The WiMAX Forum has started two new working groups within its organization to focus on the network and applications issues arising as companies look to commercialize the technologies.

The forum also announced that AT&T, BT and ZTE have joined its board of directors. The organization saw the breakout of a devoted Applications Working Group and a Network Working Group as reflective of the 802.16 standard’s imminent commercialization. The network working group, in particular, will help develop high-level specifications for how WiMAX can work with other technologies, such as cellular, DSL, cable modem and Wi-Fi, said Mo Shakouri, chairman of marketing working group at the WiMAX Forum.

“The faster we can do this, the faster our technology can be adopted,” he said. The purpose of the applications working group is to identify and develop requirements for high-demand applications that will differentiate WiMAX deployments from other technologies and drive consumer demand. Equipment vendors, service providers and content providers are actively involved in this group, while network working group members will count vendors and service providers as primary members.

With the addition of AT&T, BT and ZTE to the forum’s board of directors, there are now 11 companies on the board. Each company appoints a senior-level executive as its representative. AT&T will be represented by Christopher Rice, director of access technology and services; BT will be represented by Group Technology Officer Mick Reeve; and ZTE will be represented by Rajesh Bhalla, associate general manager of business development.

“Adding service providers to the board is akin to giving a seat to the customer, which is a wise decision by the WiMAX Forum,” said AT&T’s Rice, in a statement, adding that the move will help the organization better understand the deployment, operational and maintenance issues that will be key elements in adoption.