Intel talks up broadband wireless

Broadband wireless technologies will revolutionise internet access and help bring an extra five billion users online, Intel has predicted.

Technologies such as 802.11 wireless local area networking and 802.16 wireless metropolitan area networking will get the next wave of internet users online in emerging markets such as China, India and Latin America.

Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager at Intel's communications group, told the Wireless Communications Association symposium that 802.16, or WiMAX technology, would have a vital role to play.

Its ability to interconnect 802.11 hot spots to the internet will provide a wireless alternative for last-mile broadband connectivity to businesses and homes.

"The wireless service provider and telecoms equipment industries are rallying around WiMAX because of its tremendous cost advantages to provide last-mile connectivity to large parts of the world that are too expensive to serve with wired technologies," said Maloney in a statement.

"WiMAX-certified systems will provide the building blocks to connect the next five billion users to the internet and truly usher in the broadband wireless revolution."

Maloney explained that there will be a three-phase deployment of 802.16 technology, beginning with fixed outdoor antenna installations to bring wireless broadband to emerging markets without the need to lay wire or cable.

The next phase will see indoor antenna installations in user sites, followed by WiMAX-certified hardware becoming portable to allow roaming within or between service areas.