Intel is set to begin volume production of its second-generation WiMAX chips, the Rosedale 2 as well as its WiFi/WiMAX dual mode chip, the Ofer-R, by the end of this year, according to market sources who are familiar with Intel's roadmap.

Intel has begun delivering samples of the Rosedale 2, which supports the 802.16e-2005 mobile WiMAX standard, to clients, the sources said, noting that the Rosedale 2 will initially be for use in notebooks and mini computers before being shifted to other consumer goods such as handheld devices in 2008.

However, due to an insufficient WiMAX infrastructure and the high cost of WiMAX devices, a WiMAX capability will remain only an option for Intel's next-generation integrated wireless platform, Santa Rosa, which is expected to arrive in March 2007, the sources noted. An earlier report indicated that Santa Rosa will support the 802.11n multi-input multi-output (MIMO) WiFi standard.

In related news, the WiMAX Forum is preparing to proceed with its product certification process and begin certifying WiBro-compliant products by the end of October this year, and to work on WiMAX devices in July 2007, the sources indicated.

By: DocMemory
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