Intel to Ship WiMAX Products in 2004
Intel Corp. will produce integrated products that meet the 802.16 WiMAX specification by mid-2004, executives said Wednesday. In a press briefing at the Intel Developer Forum here that was designed to acquaint reporters with Intel's communications initiatives, Shane Wall, director and general manager of the Emerging Platforms Lab at Intel, said the company will produce both 802.16 and 802.11 wireless silicon, and that the two are complementary, not competitive.
In July, Intel announced its intention to develop 802.16a silicon in a joint partnership with Alvarion, a manufacturer of wireless equipment. 802.16 networks satisfy the "last mile" portion of a communications infrastructure, with the capability to transfer data at up to 30 miles at data transfer rates that approach 70M bps.
"A lot of people tried to take 802.11 and expand it to wider areas, with a lot of [resulting] deficiencies," Wall said. "WiMAX is 802.11 designed from the ground up. We expect to be first to market with integrated 802.16 by midyear, and systems and products by the end of next year."
