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WiMax Gets Green Light from UN

Upstart wireless tech included in next generation standards

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 20, 2007 2:55 PM CDT

(Newser) – In a huge victory for Intel, the UN’s telecommunications agency yesterday gave WiMax a thumbs up, opening the way for member nations to devote public radio space to the upstart wireless internet technology. Intel lobbied hard for the WiMax, which can sling data 40 miles at up to 70 megabits per second. Broadband connections top out around 2 megabits per second.

Japan, Britain and Switzerland already have plans to auction off WiMax radio frequencies. Companies like Lenovo, Acer and Nokia were WiMax supporters even before the UN’s blessing, the Times reports. But the vote is a blow for rival technologies from Qualcomm and Ericsson. Qualcomm yesterday said it was dedicated to providing any technology operators choose, including WiMax.

This handout picture released 07 Novembe (Getty Images)

Anritsu's BTS Master is the first Mobile WiMAX handheld test solution. (Photo (Associated Press)

Visitors walk past the WiMAX stand at the 3GSM congress in Barcelona... (Getty Images (by Event))

WiMAX Antenna installation ((c) koolb)

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WiMax Gets Green Light from UN

Upstart wireless tech included in next generation standards

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