WiMax-enabled PCs in '08: Intel

Intel on Wednesday said that computer original equipment manufacturers are set to roll out WiMax-enabled desktops and laptops in India during 2008.

Ramamurthy Sivakumar, MD (South Asia), Intel Technology, speaking at a seminar on mobility and wireless world in Bangalore said that Intel is closely aligning with PC manufacturers for the roll out.

WiMax, the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular type access.

It is a standards-based technology enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to the cable.

While Wi-Fi enabled products are pretty much prevalent in the market, the introduction of WiMax-enabled access devices are set to push forward broadband penetration in India to the next level.

According to Government of India estimates, the country will have 20 million broadband connections by 2010. According to him, WiMax is the technology which will enable broadband penetration into the heartland of India where digital inclusion will take place.

Intel, during the past couple of years, has been pitching for the adoption of this technology as the chip-maker is betting big on this technology for its future growth.

"During April last year, we started to focus on low-end devices which consume less power and has decent efficiency levels. Our WiMax strategy is part of that," he stated.