Mobile phone operator Vodafone has hedged its bets on future mobile broadband technologies by joining the WiMAX Forum. Mobile WiMAX has long been touted as a potential competitor to newer 3G (e.g. HSUPA) standards.

WiMAX has a far greater range and speed than most competing wireless standards but has faced all manner of technical and regulatory issues along the way. However the situation is improving with regulation becoming more flexible and standards being certified.

It remains to be seen quite what the next generation of mobile broadband will look like, although land-line based rivals shouldn't be too concerned, it'll be awhile before WiMAX takes any kind of firm hold, if any at all.