Intel has no plans to bid for Wimax

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Chip maker Intel, which has associated with state-owned telecom player BSNL in the nationwide launch of wireless broadband services using worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) technology, said that it has no plans to bid for Wimax spectrum auction, scheduled for next month.

“We have no such plans (to bid for Wimax spectrum auction) it is for the operator to go for this. We will do what we are best at... to make platform and get the devices up there," a PTI report quoted Intel South Asia managing director (Sales and Marketing) R Sivakumar as saying.

The wireless broadband services that BSNL launched in association with Intel on Sunday in Ajmer by Minister of State Sachin Pilot, offers high-speed wireless broadband connectivity that enables video conferencing apart from strengthening tele-medicine and tele-education.

While the project took off in Rajasthan costs Rs 225 crore, BSNL is planning to invest approximately Rs 1,200 crore for rural WiMAX.

This technology will offer broadband speed of 7 Mbps at a distance of 15 km with mobility in wireless broadband. In rural areas BSNL is offering the service at a starting tariff of Rs 140 per month.

Though Intel has no plans to take part in the auction, it had recently said that the 3G and Wimax in India would result in a surge in demand for its products and solutions that are embedded with Internet technologies.

Huawei Technologies has provided BSNL with the latest state-of-the-art Mobile Broadband Solution – Wimax 802.16e. Huawei said this solution is a portable mobile access solution, which supports roaming and handover.