Nokia and Intel Join Hands on WiMAX

Chip giant Intel and Nokia have announced their collaborative efforts to make WiMAX a new standard in broadband internet access.

“Broadband technologies – of all types – represent an enormous opportunity for businesses and individuals around the world,” said Sean Maloney, executive VP and general manager of Intel’s mobility group, in a statement “Even though we and the industry as a whole are at the early stages of discovery and development, the industry momentum is remarkable. To have innovators like Nokia working to bring WiMAX and other broadband wireless technologies to the masses is very encouraging.”

The companies will collaborate on several areas in support of mobile WiMAX technology (IEEE 802.16e) including mobile clients, network infrastructure and market development. For mobile devices and notebook platforms, Intel and Nokia will work closely to identify and deliver the unique power and performance requirements of the technology, and will work on base station strategies to help deploy a WiMAX network infrastructure that will provide adequate and reliable coverage.

In addition, the companies will engage in market development efforts to demonstrate to service providers and the industry how WiMAX can enhance data service capabilities of the network while complementing existing 3G networks. Lastly, Nokia and Intel will work together to ensure successful finalization of the 802.16e standard in IEEE and related specification work in the WiMAX Forum.

"Nokia’s end-to-end multiradio strategy covers many wireless technologies optimized for uses from local connectivity and fast data transport, to broadcasting technologies and full mobility of voice and data," said Tero Ojanpera, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Nokia. "WiMAX will be an important technology complementing 3GPP and 3GPP2 technologies. It will also create new opportunities for the consumer and enterprise markets."