Santiago de Chile, March, 6, 2009 - In the wake of the 2.3Ghz spectrum auction, currently underway in Chile, Intel® Corporation reinforces its commitment to WiMAX and its support for the carriers that expect to win the contest in order to deploy the technology in Chile, aiming to revolutionize wireless connectivity with the first standard in that country capable of delivering true broadband anywhere.
"Access to the Internet with its rich multimedia and social media applications has become an essential and entertaining part of our everyday lives, and the WiMAX network will ultimately redefine where, when and how people enjoy that mobile experience" said Laurentzi Sasia, General Manager, Intel Chile.
In both emerging markets and mature countries, companies and governments are deploying 4G WiMAX networks to help bridge the digital divide and bring affordable, super-fast wireless broadband to their citizens. As countries look to accelerate mobile broadband in 2009 to address economic recovery, WiMAX is ready – it’s the right technology at the right time.
Intel, through its global investment organization, Intel Capital, has already begun talks with some of the potential WiMAX operators to explore technical and financial partnership, thereby giving more strength to deploy this technology in the country.
“Intel Capital has successfully invested in Chile in the past and we would like to make more investments there. Specifically, the 2.3GHz auction is a great step and could potentially open up an interesting opportunity for us to make an investment in support of WiMAX. We recognize that the potential social benefits that WiMAX can provide in Chile are significant not only in terms of job creation, but, also in providing the opportunity to bring the internet to areas of Chile that have been relatively isolated. That's why we are strengthening our commitment,” said David Thomas, managing director of Intel Capital Latin America.
WiMAX is promoted by the WiMAX Forum, a consortium founded in 2001 and already includes over 230 companies, which include Intel. The WiMAX Forum is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization formed to certify and promote the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based upon the harmonized IEEE 802.16e/ETSI HiperMAN standard. A WiMAX Forum goal is to accelerate the introduction of these systems into the marketplace.
With the arrival of WiMAX in Chile, the country will join 135 other countries that actually use the technology in the world, with more than 460 active deployments of WiMAX networks, which can be connected to 480 devices from 80 manufacturers, or access from 12 different brands of computers, such as Lenovo and Asus.
“Intel Capital is closely watching the auction process in Chile and we have already had preliminary discussions with some of the potential WiMAX operators. We hope the country decides to support the WiMAX standard so Intel Capital can potentially engage further to accelerate deployments,” Mr. Thomas added.
As part of its support for WiMAX, Intel recently participated in the Mobile World Congress, held in Barcelona, Spain, where together with WiMAX ecosystem members, demonstrated their commitment to delivering on the promise of the mobile Internet and wireless broadband around the world.
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