Intel remains bullish on WiMAX: Chip giant cites stimulus benefits for Clearwire

With WiMAX being deployed all around the world, Intel Corp. officials are satisfied with the progress the technology has made in the United States and are hopeful federal stimulus funds can help accelerate the technology’s deployment.
Sean Maloney, Intel EVP, said this week that not only is Clearwire Corp. making progress with its WiMAX service in the U.S., but the technology is flourishing worldwide and will continue to have a head start on competing next-generation technologies.
“WiMAX is real,” he said in a conference call with reporters and analysts. “It is here today with deployments and users.”
So far, Clearwire and its partner Sprint Nextel Corp. have launched WiMAX networks in Portland, Ore. and Baltimore .
Despite the economic downturn, Maloney said Clearwire has the capital to continue expanding its network and could benefit from the $789 billion stimulus package that has been approved by Congress. Grants set aside by the government for broadband total $6 billion.
Maloney said if the money became available for WiMAX it could be used to connect a substantial portion of the country that does not have access to broadband technology.
“It would be a shame to use that money to rebuild yesterday’s infrastructure instead of building tomorrow’s,” Maloney said.
International progress
Maloney said the WiMAX market cannot be judged on how well the technology is doing in the United States because 80% of the market is global.
“This is a global story,” he said. “To understand how WiMAX is doing, you need to understand the global picture.”
Maloney said 2008 was a big year for the technology and overall Intel is satisfied with the progress the technology has made in gaining support from operators and customers.
To date, service providers offer networks covering 430 million people around the world with 450 mobile and fixed WiMAX service providers. Maloney said the number of people covered is expected to double by the end of 2010.
“In 2008, WiMAX became a global reality,” he said.
Maloney said WiMAX growth is expected in Japan, which will be the first county to have a nationwide network by 2012. There has also been strong growth in Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Korea, Europe and South America.
WiMAX Forum President Ron Resnick said in a statement that the numbers reflect strong growth and the market demand for high-speed broadband service.
“WiMAX coverage is here and now and is the catalyst in the global marketplace to deliver 4G broadband internet access to countries that don’t want to wait,” Resnick said.
Even in the economic downturn, Maloney said WiMAX will continue to be deployed. He said connecting communities with broadband is critical more than ever because of the current economic climate.
“As countries look to accelerate broadband in 2009 to address economic recovery, WiMAX is ready