Dan Warne02 April 2008, 7:44 PM
IDF Shanghai | Intel’s mobility chief has conceded that fixed WiMax is more likely to fly than mobile WiMax.
Intel’s mobility chief, Dadi Perlmutter, says debate about 3G vs Mobile WiMax is “interesting”.
“I have seen more WiMax attempts as the last mile than 3G attempts as the last mile,” he said.
“I will accept there is interesting debate in respect to Mobile WiMax vs 3G. But if you think about it in the last mile space, it is a way better technology and has better capabilities and business model.
“From a technology perspective, WiMax is better in almost any parameter than 3.5. But will there be the business model and providers to build a mobile WiMax network?” he asked.
Intel says despite growing scepticism about the viability of WiMax as a network technology, it remains fully committed to the technology.
Perlmutter said Intel would be involved with network building “in ernest this year, and if not, next year.”
He said not all laptops would ship with WiMax built in once the Montevina platform becomes available. “It is not practical,” he told APC. “It [notebooks with WiMax built in] will go hand in hand with network creation.”
Perlmutter said he was concerned about the growing criticism of WiMax, but he said it was up to Intel to dispel concerns.
“It is up to us to prove the viability and until it is done, there is going to be scepticism. There is scepticism about anything and unfortunately the sceptics sometimes have a good points and are right sometimes, but often they are not.
“Four years ago, there was scepticism about WiFi – who needs it and why, and there is scepticism about many technologies. This is a way of life for us.”