News / Networks
WiMAX device authentication was placed under a shared trust model
In July 2006, the WiMAX Forum selected VeriSign to provide certificate-related services for equipment certified under specified wireless broadband standards.
A common authentication layer
The proposed model used a root certificate authority and device certificates so that certified hardware could participate in a shared authentication framework. The goal was interoperability and a common basis for deciding whether a device could join a network.
Standards context
The announcement referred to equipment based on IEEE 802.16-2004 and ETSI HiperMAN 1.2.1. Certificates can support identity checks, but they are only one part of network security: deployment policy, software maintenance and operations also matter. The report records a 2006 industry arrangement, not a current assurance about WiMAX products or services.