RSSIntel Introduces WiMAX Wireless Chips
By Ed Oswald | Published April 18, 2005, 12:06 PM
Intel announced the availability of its first WiMAX-enabled chips Monday, which it touted as a way to fill in the areas where DSL and cable cannot provide service. WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access and promises to offer broadband-like speeds at up to a 15-20 mile radius from the transmitter itself.
The WiMAX technology is making possible large-scale wireless networks, such as those planned in the city of Philadelphia and elsewhere, because of the far better signal strength over technologies such as 802.11b.
Although the technology has been around roughly as long as the traditional wireless technologies, it was not looked at as a serious option until wireless data access became more popular among consumers.
"As a standards-based, high-speed Internet access solution, WiMAX can provide the platform for the next generation of Internet expansion, connecting the next billion Internet users," said Scott Richardson, general manager of Intel's Broadband Wireless Division.
Intel says it is committed to the technology, by both producing the chips as well as working with companies to ensure WiMAX takes off. Intel's solution will allow for outdoor as well as indoor implementations of the technology.
Companies planning to use WiMAX in the United States include AT&T, Qwest and Speakeasy. At least a dozen companies have said they plan to use Intel's chips for their products, which will be certified by the WiMAX Forum for use with the technology.
A good technology to shake up the incumbents in Australia. Our broadband is constantly being held back by a greedy, ex-publicly owned telco who still hold somewhat of a monopoly on Australian communications networks. The Gov is too slack/too gutless to do anything about it, so this sort of technology will give competitors a good way to jump off the excessively high rentals from this telco and into their own networks.
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|"WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access"
I am not posting this to be silly, but do you guys think this would bring out some negative effects, like health issues and such? (Just a silly thought, but could it be possible?)
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|doubt it. why would they create a technology that would be widely used that would harm its users and other ppl?
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|There will probably be controversy with the whole mobile phones issue. I think that they have proven that microwaves emmitted from mobiles don't harm ones health but there are always skeptics.
I like the sound of this and I've got my fingers crossed that it'll come across the pond to the UK soon.
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|802.11b/g/a, cordless phones, Bluetooth (I think), and other technologies use microwaves, too. The general consensus, at least with wireless networking, is that at it's not a problem, though they do recommend keeping them at least a centimeter or so away from your body. So don't mount that router on your forehead.
I guess WiMAX might be different, since maybe the waves are higher power or something if they can supposedly reach up to 15 miles, but I think the risks, or lack thereof, are probably similar.
(Oh, and men trying to conceive might want to watch where that wi-fi card is on their laptops...just to be safe. :-))
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|"(Oh, and men trying to conceive might want to watch where that wi-fi card is on their laptops...just to be safe. :-))"
lol... I've heard the same thing about cell phones in front pockets. Oh well...
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|Hand on and I'll ask the tobacco companies why ?
:) flame bait or to not flame bait :)
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|>> why would they create a technology that would be widely used that would harm its users and other ppl?
> Hand on and I'll ask the tobacco companies why ?
Tobacco companies didn't create tobacco. It grows naturally. What tobacco company did the Native Americans get their tobacco from for their peace pipes?
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|only if they are in use. with bluetooth wireless headsets, it makes more sense to say it now than when they first started warning us about it 5 years ago.
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|then why don't the tobacco companies create a way to remove the smoke and tar so their customers can still get their fix?
Answer: they don't care.
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|I have several customers that fit into this category of customers that need speed, but due to the desire of the big companies (SBC, Comcast, Charter) to improve on their service to these customers.
It will only depend now on the support these customers will get, and if they will offer it to other areas as well. If they are a great alternative to Comcast/Charter/SBC, I am all for it. Cost, stability, and support are a key feature.
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|i would use it. i live in an area where only 56k/sat. is available. i would love this.
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