Intel working on 48-km range Wi-Fi

First there was IEEE 802.11b known to most as Wi-Fi wireless LAN access system with 11Mbps and then recently, the standardized IEEE 802.11g that extends transfer speeds to 54Mbps at a range of 150 feet. Now a new system with a 30-mile or 48-kilometer range is in the works.

Intel Corp. plans to manufacture silicon products for the IEEE 802.16a, also known as WiMAX, an evolutionary improvement over Wi-Fi.

Intel recently announced its intention to develop silicon products based on the IEEE 802.16a standard that will provide a broadband wireless access alternative to existing "last-mile" methods such as cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs).

Intel is working with Alvarion, a leader in last-mile broadband wireless access equipment, to deliver low-cost WiMAX-certified equipment based on Intel 802.16a silicon.

The IEEE 802.16a standard is a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) technology that connects wireless hot spots, which offer users wireless Internet access via the IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi standard, and other locations such as businesses and homes to the wired Internet backbone.

Networks based on the 802.16a standard are expected to work within the 30-mile or 48-kilometer range. WiMAX systems should have the ability to transfer data, voice and video at speeds of up to 70 Megabits-per-second (Mbps).

"Intel is committed to enabling computing and communications anytime, anywhere over any device, and we see WiMAX as a critical technology for making that vision a reality," said Sean Maloney, executive vice president and general manager of Intel Communications Group.

"Our silicon products for WiMAX equipment will complement existing Intel wireless building blocks, including the Intel Centrino mobile technology for wireless notebooks, Intel PRO/Wireless network connections, and Intel IXP4XX network processors for wireless infrastructure equipment," Maloney added.

Products based on 802.16a can provide wireless broadband connectivity to businesses with guaranteed levels of service required for enterprise applications, and to homes for residential broadband applications.

These products will also enable service providers to offer voice and data services.

The IEEE 802.16a standard was approved last January. Since then, over 25 leading communications equipment companies have joined the non-profit WiMAX Forum to help promote and certify the compatibility and interoperability of 802.16a equipment.