PCWorld.com - Taiwan Tests Island-Wide WiMax: "Taiwan Tests Island-Wide WiMax

Government teams with Intel to build largest testing ground for new wireless technology.

Dan Nystedt, IDG News Service
Tuesday, October 18, 2005

TAIPEI -- Taiwanese government officials said on Monday they plan to make Taiwan the world's largest testing ground for WiMax, and inked a pact with Intel to work together on the wireless broadband technology.

The government will provide around $209 million in funding for the initiative, in addition to spectrum allocation and other assistance, while Intel is expected to pitch in its technical resources. Next year, the government will provide an additional $32.8 million in research funds specifically for WiMax, a separate budget from the above figure, said Minister of State Lin Ferng-ching.

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WiMax, also known as 802.16, is intended to provide users with wireless, high-speed Internet access at far greater distances than the current mainstream wireless technology, Wi-Fi.

Taiwan hopes to become a leader in developing products for WiMax, such as PC cards and notebook computers, as well as broadband services, by making itself a leader in the technology, according to Ho Mei-yueh, Taiwan's economics minister.

Taiwan chose to team up with Intel because the chip maker is among the staunchest proponents of WiMax and alre"