May 6, 2005

Intel reports it has inked a deal with Sprint to engage in a joint effort to advance R&D on the 802.16e WiMAX standard.

The deal calls for both companies to collaborate on technical specification, perform equipment trials and conduct interoperability testing to examine possible wireless broadband devices and services.

"Our relationship with Intel will help validate requirements, drive key ecosystem development needs, formulate network strategies and define the potential for advanced wireless services adoption," said Oliver Valente, chief technology officer and vice president of technology development for Sprint.

Sprint, which recently joined the WiMAX Forum, added it was fostering a number of strategic partners and investigating multiple technologies to support future wireless interactive multimedia services for deployment in its 2.5 GHz spectrum holdings.

The company's pending acquisition of Nextel Communications Inc. is expected to provide the combined Sprint Nextel with 2.5 GHz spectrum covering 80 percent of the country's population.

Intel has signed several WiMAX development deals, including an agreement last fall with Craig McCaw's Clearwire wireless broadband venture. Last month, Intel released the industry's first WiMAX chip.

Source: RCR News