Nokia and Intel Group Up To Develop WiMax

WhichHost writes "Nokia and Intel's new alliance is aiming at creating and refining the power of "WiMax" as a new form of mobile-WiFi for devices such as laptops, cell-phones, etc. This is just the first step in making high-speed wireless networking available to the entire world. Covered at InformationWeek and Forbes as well." From the article: "Nokia and Intel Corp.'s development plans focus on mobile WiMax, which allows for roaming among base stations, as opposed to fixed WiMax, which is considered a replacement for DSL and cable lines."

Re:Uh... help me out here

[Cat_Byte]

Before they start talking about making wireless available to the "entire world" they should think about getting cell phone service out where my parents live. Every time I hear talk like broadband is available everywhere it makes me think these have to be people who live very sheltered lives inside the city limits.

Seriously though. Even cell phone service maps are nothing but a bunch of disconnected circles like the chicken pox in between interstates and cities. I would love it if they could actually do this but they are FAR from covering the "entire world".

Re:Thanks Slashdot!

[Atzanteol]

What ever happened to being at the forefront of the news game?

Stuff that matters... Where does it say "late breaking" and "up to the minute news?" In what world do you live in that /. was ever up to the minute?

Nokia's just not putting all it's eggs in telcos.

[WareW01f]

However, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) has yet to ratify the mobile WiMax standard, known as 802.16e.

Right. So the question is this, who really defines a standard a body like IEEE, or the first set of vendors to hit the market with a workable product. Sad, but painfully true. I say bully for them. Even if they come out with their own proprietary setup, if they release it soon, it'll only force the others to follow. That and it's not like I *really* used to choice in the telcom space anyway.(modem types, locked cell phones, etc)

Telcoms need to find a niche and move there fast. "3G" is going to hit too little too late. My city is one of the brave that's planning on lighting up public WiFi which will blow the doors off any of the offerings that are coming Real Soon Now(TM) from our beloved telcos. Nokia's not stupid. I can see them offering a VOIP cellphone when the time is right. (And T-Mobile may be thinking about biting from what I here) That, and when it happens, it's going to be the areas with crappy cell coverage thumbing thier noses at what will by then be some 3 remaining cell companies.

I'd start snatching up any dark fiber out there if I had the spare change to do so. I wouldn't be shocked at all if in a near future, cell phone companies have to roll to the old POTS model of not charging for local minutes and make their cash on long distance routing. I only own a cell now (ditched the POTS a while back) I have no qualms about VIOPing home from a free WiFi access point for local calls.