Intel has invested $600m in wireless broadband provider Clearwire, which will use the funds to develop its WiMax network in North America.

Intel has been pushing WiMax for the past few years. Referred to as a wireless DSL, the technology promises wide area wireless broadband connectivity.

Clearwire is working on WiMax PC cards, and plans to create a chipset with combined WiMax and Wi-Fi capabilities. Intel expects that WiMax will replace Wi-Fi in the next three years.

The chipmaker's investment arm, Intel Capital, has led an investment round in WiMax totalling $900m.

"The size of this investment underscores our commitment to supporting wireless broadband using WiMax networks in the US," said Intel Capital president Arvind Sodhani.

Clearwire had intended to go public, but has cancelled the plans following Intel's investment.