Intel talks up 802.16 WMAN plans

Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Communications Group , promoted the company’s upcoming WiMAX (802.16) solutions at the Wireless Communications Association ’s (WCA) annual symposium.

Maloney announced that Intel is working with Airspan Networks , Alvarion , Aperto Networks and Redline to develop and deploy WiMAX-certified 802.16 equipment based on Intel silicon. Siemens Mobile and Proxim were also named as having separate discussions with Intel on "areas of collaboration" for the WiMAX. Intel’s 802.16 silicon is scheduled to be introduced in the second half of this year .

Maloney also said BT (United Kingdom), Iberbanda (Spain), MVS Net (Mexico), Neotec (Brazil), PCCW (Hong Kong), Reliance Infocomm (India) and UK Broadband (United Kingdom) are "assessing WiMAX technology for trials and implementation in the markets they serve".

Intel’s vision has the company supplying devices based on the IEEE 802.16d standard which will be certified by the WiMAX Forum . These devices will then spur a "three-phased deployment" of 802.16 technology that starts with fixed outdoor antenna installations, moves to indoor antenna installations, and finally be used in "portable solutions for users who want to roam within or between service areas".