Third generation mobile radio systems (3G) are currently being deployed in different regions of the world. Future systems beyond 3G are already under discussion in international bodies and forums such as ITU, WWRF and R&D programs of the European Union and in other regions. These systems will determine the research and standardization activities in mobile and wireless communication in the next years. Based on the experience of 3G future systems will be developed mainly from the user perspective with respect to potential services and applications including traffic demands. Therefore, the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF) was launched in 2001 as a global and open initiative of manufacturers, network operators, SMEs, R&D centers and the academic domain. WWRF is focused on the vision of such systems the Wireless World - and potential key technologies. This paper describes the international context of activities on systems beyond third generation, the goals, objectives and structure of WWRF, the user perspective as the starting point for a future system design and the key enabling technologies for the Wireless World.