Yesterday (July 5), Intel announced a $600 million investment in companies providing wireless Internet access services to promote the development of this type of access technology.
This latest effort by the world’s leading microprocessor manufacturer is part of a $900 million contract with Motorola. Intel is also one of the pioneers in promoting the application of WiMAX wireless technology.
Similar to Wi-Fi wireless technology, WiMAX offers high-speed connectivity without the need for cables. However, WiMAX technology has a significantly wider coverage range—up to 1.8 km—compared to Wi-Fi technology.
Additionally, Intel plans to enhance WiMAX connectivity for several versions of its Centrino products, according to Sean Maloney, Intel’s Vice President in charge of the mobile group. Centrino is a processor product package designed to extend battery life and facilitate easy connections to wireless networking systems for laptops.
With the growing popularity of Wi-Fi, Intel’s Centrino has also become one of the fastest-growing products over the past decade. Intel hopes to achieve similar success with this new wireless technology.
“Our goal is that in about 2 to 3 years, Wi-Fi and WiMAX technologies will merge. Users will have a chip capable of connecting both Wi-Fi and WiMAX,” Maloney stated in a recent interview.
Motorola and other investors will contribute the remaining $300 million in the contract with Intel.
Hoàng Dũng
