Intel teams up with Alcatel-Lucent

INTEL AND Alcatel-Lucent have announced they'll be pairing up to launch Wimax Ensure, a joint end-to-end interoperability testing (IOT) programme for the Wimax Rev-e standard (802.16e-2005), purportedly so that a common, commercially-validated, global profile for data-centric mobile Wimax devices can be established.

The collaboration, announced at MWC, is meant to beef up the technology's 'device ecosystem' and plough "a safe path to market for both embedded and non-embedded devices".

The partnership will build on previous chipset IOT for the 2.5GHz band, expanding work to new frequencies, including the 3.5GHz band, a sort of Alcatel-Lucent happy place where the firm holds seven networks already in commercial service and 14 others in deployment.

The firms noted that the Wimax Ensure programme would also eventually include 2.3GHz devices.

"This initiative is proof of Alcatel-Lucent's commitment to the Wimax ecosystem and to the long-term success of this technology," noted Paul Larbey, Head of Alcatel-Lucent's Next-Generation Mobile Access.

Alcatel-Lucent reckons it has long encouraged the expansion of the Wimax Rev-e ecosystem through IOT with any and all devices and chipset makers, under its Open Device Program. This, despite the fact the firm is also a strong proponent of rival LTE technology. But the latter is something Intel would rather brush off. An Intel spinner told the INQ, "Although there is a difference in how Intel and Alcatel-Lucent view the longer-term future markets for Wimax evolving, we both stand strongly in support of the Wimax ecosystem and roadmap".

Of course, Intel and Alcatel-Lucent are also both founding members of the Open Patent Alliance (OPA), a body created to stimulate innovation and new entrants in the Wimax industry via the formation of a Wimax patent pool.

Both companies apparently still believe in Wimax as far as mobile data delivery and data-focused services are concerned. The difference is Chipzilla believes Wimax is a full mobile market player, incorporating handsets and other devices (like deployments currently underway with Clearwire and UQ), while Alcatel will continue its Wimax investments and efforts focusing only on data-centric mobility, in other words services focusing on laptops, netbooks and MIDs, as well as fixed CPE.

"What's important isn't the differences but what we have in common – the belief that there is a very strong Wimax market here and now, and our common support for the technology as the answer for that market", said an Intel spokesman, with an Intel spokeswoman chipping in to remind us, "They are still a strong, valued Wimax partner".

In other Alcatel-Lucent news today, the firm unveiled its ng Connect Program to bring together companies from a plethora of industries with the eventual aim of delivering LTE-based services across a variety of platforms including mobile phones, computers, cars and gaming systems. µ