802.16e. 802.16 was designed to bring wireless broadband connectivity into buildings from an ISP or other carrier. 802.16e is an extension of 802.16-2004 for mobile use in the 2-6GHz band. It allows people to communicate while walking or riding in cars.

802.16
A family of IEEE standards for fixed wireless broadband access (BWA). Approved in 2002, and also known as "WiMAX," 802.16 provides up to 70 Mbps of shared point-to-multipoint transmission in the 10 to 66GHz frequency bands as far as 37 miles.

Last Mile and Networks
802.16 was designed to bring wireless broadband connectivity into buildings from an ISP or other carrier, offering an alternative to wired T1 and DSL lines in the last mile. It can also be used to provide high-speed connectivity between Wi-Fi networks across large campuses as well as create a "wireless metropolitan access network" (WMAN) throughout a city, suburb or region.

802.16-2004 - Fixed
Using the 2-11GHz frequencies which can penetrate walls and other dense objects, 802.16-2004 provides transmission to stationary devices and replaces prior 802.16 and 802.16a specifications. Higher frequencies require line of sight. 802.16-2004 was previously 802.16d.

802.16 - Mobile
802.16e is an extension of 802.16-2004 for mobile use in the 2-6GHz band. It allows people to communicate while walking or riding in cars.

802.16e, some people call the 'portable' or 'nomadic' phase of WiMAX. It will offer broadband connectivity similar to Wi-Fi. When you use a notebook in a hotspot or in a building, you'll be able to move around at pedestrian speeds and maintain your broadband connection. Because the 802.16e standard is already largely defined, Intel plan to deliver their silicon solution at roughly the same time the standard gets published, which will allow deployment either in a trial basis or some commercialization in late 2006. So 'nomadic phase' will roll out about a year after the fixed phase.

Solutions built on the first generation of 802.16e in 2006 won't allow for the fast hand-off like you're used to with a cell phone. The true mobility - which most people think of as high speed roaming and fast hand off - will be ready roughly a year later, in late 2007.