Intel, the world’s largest chip maker and Proxim, a major wireless networking equipment maker, said on Thursday they will join hands in delivering WiMAX solutions for fixed and portable broadband wireless access.
Intel said the agreement includes the development of base station and subscriber unit access points that deliver fast wireless access for data, voice and video services.
WiMAX, known also as 802.16, is an emerging technology that allows long-range high-speed wireless Internet access, serving both dense metropolitan areas and rural or suburban communities.
“We as an industry are headed toward the ‘broadband wireless era,’ and WiMAX will play a key role in delivering on our vision,” said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel’s Broadband Wireless Division.
Reference Design for WiMax Equipment
The two companies will also codevelop a reference design for WiMAX CPE equipment. Intel will provide the CPE architecture, including the key hardware and software components as a reference design for other WiMAX equipment makers.
Proxim will include its core wireless software capabilities that enable subscriber roaming, increased subscriber support and dynamic bandwidth management.
“Proxim strongly believes in both the technological and market potential of WiMAX and particularly portable implementations of WiMAX,” said Kevin Duffy, chief operating officer at Proxim Corporation.
Proxim plans to deliver its fixed WiMAX-certified broadband wireless solution in early 2005 and portable WiMAX-certified solutions in late 2005.