In an effort to ensure that mobile WiMAX wireless products work well together and with other products globally, Intel Corporation, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks announced that they are testing interoperability across Intel’s forthcoming WiMAX silicon for laptops and mobile Internet devices, Nokia WiMAX devices and Nokia Siemens Networks WiMAX infrastructure equipment.
Nokia also said it will use Intel’s WiMAX silicon product, which is codenamed „Baxter Peak“ and designed specifically for mobile Internet and consumer electronic devices, in its forthcoming Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets. The Internet tablets will be among the very first WiMAX-enabled open Internet devices expected to ship in 2008.
„WiMAX enables the mobile Internet and makes it possible to get content on a variety of new mobile devices at broadband speed, and our Baxter Peak solution is designed specifically for these exciting new devices,“ said Raviv Melamed, general manager of Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group. „Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks all recognize our collective responsibility in ensuring that people can take full advantage of WiMAX. Simply put, the infrastructure behind the networks and the devices that access those networks must work together seamlessly.“
Mobile WiMAX is a broadband wireless technology that provides multi-megabit speed, great throughput for accessing large amounts of such data as movies and multi-media content, and wide range to access the data over long distances. WiMAX devices and equipment that have been tested for compatibility with each other will help make it easier for consumers to roam from network to network with their Internet devices wherever they go for an always-connected, mobile experience.
„WiMAX will translate into people being able to take their favorite Internet experiences — be it watching videos, streaming music or doing research on the Internet — on the go without compromising on quality,“ said Ari Virtanen, Vice President, Nokia Multimedia.
Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks have already started testing their equipment and devices with dozens of other equipment vendors‘ products for interoperability and conformance with industry standards in Sprint’s Herndon, Va. testing labs. Early interoperability testing between multiple industry partners will help to reduce the amount of time required for their respective products to successfully pass through the technical requirements from the WiMAX Forum thus accelerating time-to-market.
Intel and Nokia will continue to champion efforts with 500 other Forum members to deliver end-to-end specifications for global interoperability of WiMAX devices and infrastructure.
Nokia Internet Tablets to Become WiMAX-ready
The Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets are designed to provide a rich Internet experience on a new innovative multimedia computer platform that is small enough to fit into the pocket. The Internet-savvy audience targeted features include a full, familiar Internet experience, powered by Mozilla based browser, e-mail functions and support for many popular applications, such as the previously announced Skype and Rhapsody.
Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets are based upon the open source Linux operating system, to enable both Nokia and Intel’s vision of the „open Internet“ — delivering broadband Internet experience to users on the go. In 2008, this platform with Intel’s Baxter Peak WiMAX silicon will work on the Sprint Xohm* WiMAX network.
Based on the same WiMAX baseband silicon found in Intel’s „Echo Peak“ MiniCard module for laptops and ultra-mobile devices, Baxter Peak is optimized for small form factors and low power consumption. It also includes multiple input/multiple output antenna techniques, supporting better reception and faster throughput in challenging environments.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.
About Nokia Siemens Networks
Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the largest telecommunications infrastructure companies with operations in 150 countries. The company is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com
