April 18, 2005

Intel just announced its first WiMAX product, a move that could push the WiMAX industry similar to how Intel's Centrino products advanced the Wi-Fi market.

"As a standards-based, high-speed Internet access solution, WiMAX can provide the platform for the next generation of Internet expansion, connecting the next billion Internet users," said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel's Broadband Wireless Division.

"In addition to delivering the first flexible, highly integrated WiMAX system-on-chip, Intel has worked with a number of parties, including carriers and equipment manufacturers, to prepare the industry for the next wave of wireless technology."

Intel said its new PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface, previously code named Rosedale, is based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard. The company said its chip supports both outdoor WiMAX products as well as new indoor solutions, such as self-installable WiMAX modems and residential gateways.

Intel said its WiMAX offerings will initially be used to deliver broadband Internet access to remote areas not currently served by DSL or cable and will make it possible to wirelessly connect buildings up to several miles apart.

AT&T, Altitude Telecom in France, BT in the United Kingdom, Qwest, Speakeasy, Telmex in Mexico and other carriers are working on WiMAX trials with Intel products. Intel said equipment manufacturers including Airspan, Aperto Networks, Huawei, Proxim Corp. and Siemens Mobile are among those building equipment using its chips.

In other WiMAX news, the WiMAX Forum said its first certified products will be available by the end of the year. The group said it will begin testing equipment in July.

The WiMAX Forum will initially certify equipment based on two profiles: TDD and FDD in the 3.5 GHz frequency band with 3.5 MHz channelization. The group said it will add more profiles next year, but said that all "future enhancements to the baseline profiles" will be backward compatible.

Separately, Hifn and picoChip announced they will offer a WiMAX basestation reference design. And WiMAX silicon developer Wavesat said it will provide an upgrade path from fixed to mobility with its Evolutive WiMAX strategy. Finally, Redline Communications launched its RedMAX line of IEEE 802.16-2004-compliant products, which it will present for WiMAX certification in July.

Source: RCR News