Intel Invests in Malaysian WiMax Provider

Intel Invests in Malaysian WiMax Provider

Intel on Monday announced a 50 million ringgit (US$15.3 million) investment in Green Packet, the parent company of Malaysian WiMax operator Packet One Networks. The funds invested by Intel will be used to support Green Packet's WiMax business, the Malaysian company said in a statement. The investment in Green Packet is the latest in a string of investments made by the chip maker to help spur the deployment of WiMax technology. Intel is counting on WiMax, a technology that offers high-speed data connections over a wide area, to give users high-speed Internet access from mobile computers. Later this year, Intel will add WiMax support to its Centrino chip package with the release of Centrino 2, formerly known as Montevina, which offers WiMax as an option. Packet One's WiMax network will begin commercial operation in June. The operator will offer the mobile version of WiMax, called 802.16e, and use the 2.3GHz spectrum. That is the same frequency spectrum used by WiMax operators in South Korea, although most global operators are planning to use the 2.5GHz to 3.5GHz spectrum bands.