Intel to pump $37 million into Unwired

Stuart Corner
Sunday, 11 September 2005 15:38

IT Industry - Deals

Intel's strategic investment arm, Intel Capital, has agreed to invest $37 million in broadband wireless services provider Unwired Australia as part of its efforts to advance the deployment of WiMAX networks. Unwired will use the proceeds primarily to expand its network into major Australian cities other than Sydney. A meeting will be held in October to obtain shareholder approval for the investment.

The two companies have agreed to jointly promote mobile wireless broadband capabilities using WiMAX networks in Australia. Unwired plans to adopt future Intel products that support the upcoming IEEE 802.16e 'mobile WiMAX standard.

Unwired will initially deploy WiMAX technology from its current supplier, Navini Networks. Dual-mode customer modems and base stations, which can operate on the proprietary Navini network and WiMAX technology concurrently, will be available in the first half of 2006, Unwired says.