Yesterday, Intel announced the launch of the new WiMAX chip, intended for installation in end-user equipment for fixed wireless telecommunications. Intel is now entering on commercial production of the component. The announcement represents a declaration of commitment by Intel to WiMAX technology.
Israeli wireless broadband solutions company Alvarion (Nasdaq: ALVR; TASE: ALVR) Ltd. (ALVR) says it has made the first lab demonstration of a working WiMAX-ready CPE (customer premises equipment) using Intel's new chip, called PRO/Wireless 5116. Alvarion has integrated the PRO/Wireless 5116 into its BreezeMAX 3500 CPE. The company said this was the culmination of a strategic development effort with Intel, which began in mid-2003.
The system was demonstrated at the Cetecom laboratory during the organization's Face2Face in Malaga, Spain last week. Cetecom is the first lab selected by the WiMAX Forum to perform certification testing of WiMAX equipment.
Iberbanda, a Spanish service provider that has already commercially deployed BreezeMAX in several regions of the country, supplied a network connection as part of the demonstration.
Alvarion CEO Zvi Slonimsky said, "With the product slated for commercial release in the second half of 2005, this milestone represents a significant step forward for both Alvarion and the industry as we move to widespread adoption of WiMAX standard products."
Scott Richardson, General Manager Broadband Wireless at Intel, said, "We have worked with Alvarion since our early days of focusing on WiMAX. The incorporation of our Intel PRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface into their BreezeMAX CPE reflects our mutual commitment to WiMAX. We will continue to promote this technology together, making WiMAX a mass market phenomenon."
The IntelPRO/Wireless 5116 broadband interface is a system-on-chip that supports WiMAX last-mile connectivity to homes and businesses. Leveraging the ratified IEEE 802.16-2004 specification, the Intel chip and Alvarion system provide high-throughput broadband connections over long distances, Alvarion said. WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, primarily "last mile" broadband connections.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on April 19, 2005