Motorola and Intel shake for joint WiMAX push

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 28 Oct 2005 at 16:51

Motorola and Intel are joining forces to push development of the WiMAX wireless standard and ensure they get to market quickly with products that work well together.

WiMAX works using the proposed IEEE 802.16e standard to offer a much more powerful version of the hot-spot, both in terms of bandwidth available and range.

'The promise of full mobility is around the corner with the anticipated ratification of the 802.16e standard,' said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel's Broadband Wireless Division. 'By working with Motorola on mobile WiMAX standards and technology, we can jointly develop and test equipment to meet the requirements necessary for truly mobile broadband.'

'We believe 802.16e is going to be the way to go for both fixed and nomadic applications,' said Dan Coombes, CTO, Motorola Networks. 'With its robust specifications and ability to support high-value services like voice over IP and mobility, 802.16e is an ideal choice for many applications.'

WiMAX networks are likely to be available mainly in urban areas, with the advantage not only of a broadly available network for Internet access, but also for making cheap voice calls and a range of other potential services.

It will not mean the demise of fixed line or cellular networks. Intel and Motorola will be working hard on technologies that not only take advantage of WiMAX, but can seamlessly link up with or switch to other network techologies depending of the availability of network access and the status of the device.

Motorola says its MOTOwi4 product portfolio includes fixed and mobile broadband solutions designed to meet the different needs of wireless, wireline, and cable network operators and enable them to offer rich data applications and services cost-effectively to their customers. As well as access point solutions, Motorola is developing mobile devices, customer premises equipment, PC cards and in-vehicle public safety devices.