Originally published December 7 2005
Taiwan government to allow Intel to test new WiMax broadband technology
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Taiwan's Minister of State, Lin Ferng-ching, announced recently that his government will allow Intel to test its wireless broadband technology, WiMax, in Taiwan, and that the government will spend close to $240 million on research to fund the initiative over the next two years.
Taiwanese government officials said on Monday they plan to make Taiwan the world's largest testing ground for WiMax, and inked a pact with Intel to work together on the wireless broadband technology.
The government will provide around $209 million in funding for the initiative, in addition to spectrum allocation and other assistance, while Intel is expected to pitch in its technical resources.
Next year, the government will provide an additional $32.8 million in research funds specifically for WiMax, a separate budget from the above figure, said Minister of State Lin Ferng-ching.
Notebooks Ready WiMax, also known as 802.16, is intended to provide users with wireless, high-speed Internet access at far greater distances than the current mainstream wireless technology, Wi-Fi.
Taiwan hopes to become a leader in developing products for WiMax, such as PC cards and notebook computers, as well as broadband services, by making itself a leader in the technology, according to Ho Mei-yueh, Taiwan's economics minister.
Taiwan chose to team up with Intel because the chip maker is among the staunchest proponents of WiMax and already has WiMax chip products available, she said.
The capital city of Taipei has been working on providing Wi-Fi access free of charge throughout the city in an ongoing project.
Working Out Details More than 100 WiMax trials are already going on globally, said Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager of Intel's mobility group.
In many areas of the world, the cost of laying out a wireline network for Internet users is prohibitively expensive, he said.
Still, by pledging to lead in field testing for WiMax, putting government funds behind the plan and gathering its technology companies for a push in research and development, Taiwan could become a major player in WiMax hardware and services in the future.
"The chance that Taiwan has to lead in this space is now excellent," Maloney said.
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