WiMAX was recently added as a global standard for mobile devices by the U.N. telecommunication agency. According to analysts, this acceptance will probably create interest in the development of the wireless technology which will eventually lower hardware costs.

While this move was met with opposition from China because it wanted its own wireless broadband standard to be accepted as the global standard, U.S. officials fought for the IMT-2000 and other high-speed mobile network changes. White House expert on science and technology Richard M. Russell commented on their stand regarding this:

We strongly believe in an approach that includes as many technologies as possible, within the appropriate technical parameters, because diversity will lead to greater competition, lower prices and more benefits to consumers.