The first certified interoperable WiMAX radios completed air interface Certification testing early in 2006. However, some companies launched precursor Fixed WiMAX radios, primarily in the International standard spectrum of 3.5 GHz even before that. Some of those firms are claiming interoperability once certification tests are completed. Customers in countries utilizing this spectrum have already started to see WiMAX broadband. However, for most of the US, WiMAX CERTIFIED™ interoperable gear, operating in spectrum usable in the US, will not likely appear until be widely available until 2007.

It is important to note that since much of the WiMAX functionality has been available for some time, that many customers already receiving broadband wireless service in the US and abroad, may in fact be already enjoying WiMAX quality or near WiMAX quality service. The primary downside being that these proprietary solutions lock them into a single supplier.