Intel bullish on WiMax investments

Intel Corporation is investing heavily in WiMax in hopes of getting the networked world to switch to the super high-speed wireless technology within a few years. Intel Capital, the chip maker’s investment arm, is building the WiMax ecosystem globally. Intel recently disclosed a $1 billion investment in Clearwire Corporation, a wireless broadband Internet service provider in which it has previously put more than $600 mn. In May, Intel invested about $15.4 mn in Green Packet, a Malaysian WiMax company. It also paid about $26 mn for a piece of spectrum in Sweden’s 2.6 GHz band, to ensure WiMax’s rollout in the country. In the US, Intel will begin selling WiMax-enabled notebook computers in the second half of 2008. Intel invests like a venture capital firm and recovers its money by selling the startup or taking it public. But typically, it chooses to put money in companies that will drive demand for its products, or hasten the adoption of new technology, especially in developing countries. Intel is likely to invest in two Indian forms offering specialized WiMax and conventional WiFi products this year. Intel’s $250 mn Intel India Technology Fund was announced in telecom and wireless applications apace which includes companies such as Beceem, Hellosoft and Telsima. Intel has so far carried out over 280 fixed and mobile WiMax trials and commercial deployments in 110 countries.