Nokia announced plans to include WiMAX (802.16e) in its radio access technology portfolio in order to give its customers "the greatest possibility to address all user segments in broadband wireless access." Nokia said it believes WiMAX will provide a high-speed, limited coverage, data only complement to the fully mobile and standardized 3G voice and broadband data networks currently being launched globally. Nokia will partner with Intel on the development, adoption and deployment of WiMAX technology.
Nokia said 3GPP technologies, including WCDMA (UMTS) and its evolved versions HSDPA, HSUPA and Internet-HSPA, would remain the core of its broadband wireless technology portfolio. HSDPA will offer downlink speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps and HSUPA uplink speeds of up to 5.7 Mbps. Internet-HSPA is a network innovation from Nokia, based on the 3GPP standard. Nokia Internet-HSPA, with its simplified network architecture, is the broadband wireless access solution that evolves from WCDMA infrastructure technology.
Under the partnership with Intel, the companies will collaborate on several areas in support of mobile WiMAX technology (IEEE 802.16e) including mobile clients, network infrastructure, industry-enabling efforts and market development. For mobile devices and notebook platforms, Intel and Nokia will work closely to identify and deliver the unique power and performance requirements of the technology, and will work on base station strategies to help deploy a WiMAX network infrastructure that will provide adequate and reliable coverage.
In addition, the companies will engage in market development efforts to demonstrate to service providers and the industry how WiMAX can enhance data service capabilities of the network while complementing existing 3G networks. Lastly, Nokia and Intel will work together to ensure successful finalization of the 802.16e standard in IEEE and related specification work in the WiMAX Forum.
"Nokia's end-to-end multiradio strategy covers many wireless technologies optimized for uses from local connectivity and fast data transport, to broadcasting technologies and full mobility of voice and data," said Tero Ojanpera, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Nokia. "WiMAX will be an important technology complementing 3GPP and 3GPP2 technologies. It will also create new opportunities for the consumer and enterprise markets."
WiMAX IEEE 802.16e version, which is expected to be standardized later this year, will offer increased portability of broadband Internet access.
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