Intel-Based Commercial WiMAX Networks Under Way With 24 Carriers Worldwide

November 09, 2005

Thirteen carriers from around the world are now deploying the world’s first fixed WiMAX networks based on Intel Corporation WiMAX technologies, delivering high-speed broadband access to businesses and residences from Germany to Guatemala. Eleven more carriers are preparing to deploy additional Intel-based WiMAX networks by year’s end.

Building on the success of WiMAX trials worldwide, carriers are now rolling out full commercial deployments in cities as well as suburban and rural communities, allowing broadband wireless networks to reach locations where previously they were either impossible or too costly for carriers to pursue.

“As WiMAX gains momentum in full deployments, homes and businesses gain the ease and power of cost-effective wireless networking,” said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel’s Broadband Wireless Division. “We are now delivering the promise of WiMAX – high-speed, cost-effective wireless broadband access – to businesses and consumers in cities and suburbs around the world.”

In collaboration with Intel, and using equipment based on the Intel PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface, commercial networks have now been deployed by the following carriers: Altitude Telecom (France), AXTEL (Mexico), BEC Telecom, S.A. (Dominican Republic), Dedicado (Uruguay), Globe/Innove (Philippines), Iberbanda (Spain), Irish Broadband (Ireland), SferaNET (Poland), Mikkelin Puhelin (Finland), Telgua (Guatemala), Ukrainian High Technologies (Ukraine), and WiMAX Telecom (Austria and Slovakia).

These deployments support a range of uses, from basic high-speed access for homes to Internet telephony, business connectivity and support for schools and government offices.

In addition, several carriers are in the process of deploying WiMAX networks that are expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

The new WiMAX networks will deliver broadband services to consumers, businesses, schools and public offices, using Intel-based customer premises equipment from Airspan, Alcatel, Alvarion and Redline Communications.

These full deployments build upon growing momentum toward widespread WiMAX availability, including a pledge by the government of Taiwan to invest NT$37 billion [US$1.12 billion] on mobile initiatives, including WiMAX, and Intel’s Asian Broadband Campaign ... to spur WiMAX development in Southeast Asia.