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Jun. 8, 2009

UQ Communications Inc. and Intel Corp. have jointly announced their extended collaboration to promote and expand UQ Wi-MAX, its commercially available WiMAX service from UQ Communications in Japan.

Scheduled to launch in about three weeks, UQ Communications will offer new wireless services to meet the diverse consumer demands for mobile Internet broadband use.

Working closely with manufacturers, Intel is providing embedded WiMAX laptops based on its Intel Centrino 2 CPU technology to enable mobile WiMAX broadband Internet access.

The two companies also said they will work with PC vendors to deliver a whole range of initiatives and promotional activities driving the adoption of WiMAX technology and creating greater awareness for the global WiMAX ecosystem.

As part of this new initiative, UQ Communications has unveiled a novel fee structure that will make it easy for new wireless users to subscribe. At the same time, Intel will offer its new WiMAX/Wi-Fi Link 5150, an embedded module supporting both wireless LAN and WiMAX, providing flexible Internet connectivity and high-speed communications with WiMAX.

Toshiba, Panasonic and Onkyo have today unveiled notebook PCs which integrate the module and Intel Centrino 2 processor technology. The laptops, as well as other products, are scheduled to debut next month in Japan.

In addition to working with UQ on embedded technology, Intel Capital invested $43 million in the company to help continue the nationwide expansion of WiMAX service.

WiMAX is the only solution available today that is meeting the demand for the mobile Internet. With WiMAX, users can enjoy rich, interactive content outdoors and on the go as mobile broadband Internet access traditionally requires a fixed broadband connection.

Together, Intel and UQ are helping to enable wireless Internet connectivity with WiMAX, forming alliances with a number of companies in the industry and offering a range of new digital equipment and services designed to enhance user experience.

"We are glad to welcome this major milestone. Working with Intel, we are on the road to full mobile broadband access, and, remarkably, in just 18 months since UQ Communications obtained a Mobile WiMAX license," said Takashi Tanaka, CEO of UQ Communications.

"A feature of Mobile WiMAX is that its infrastructure is open, both to people who want to use WiMAX, and to businesses that want to enter the WiMAX market. In collaboration with PC makers, MVNOs, and various other industries, we will enable true mobile broadband access, with UQ constructing a high-speed, advanced WiMAX network, while Intel enables WiMAX modules to be built into all kinds of devices," added Tanaka.

"Overall, Intel looks forward to the UQ Communications WiMAX service launch next month in Japan," said Sean Maloney, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer of Intel Corporation. "The next-generation wireless Internet broadband from UQ will be one of the most advanced networks in the world, further driving global adoption of WiMAX."

"Intel also welcomes today’s announcement that Intel Centrino 2 processor technology-based laptops with embedded WiMAX will be introduced in the Japanese market, a huge leap forward in the continued development and expansion of the global WiMAX ecosystem," added Maloney.

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Source: Intel.