Motorola Inc. announced a strategic initiative to develop mobile WiMAX chipsets for use in Motorola’s next-generation WiMAX devices. This investment in chipset design demonstrates Motorola’s on-going commitment to WiMAX and expands the company’s role as a leader in end-to-end WiMAX solutions beyond infrastructure and handsets to the core implementation of WiMAX in chipsets.
"It should come as no surprise to anyone that Motorola is, and intends to remain, a leader in WiMAX -- including the design of silicon chipsets for mobile devices. For some time now Motorola has been investing in the development and deployment of WiMAX -- from infrastructure to advanced silicon," said Ron Garriques, president of Motorola’s Mobile Devices Business. "In our vision of seamless mobility, WiMAX will help transform the mobile communications experience for everyone. Enhanced speed for data, as well as cost efficiencies and network optimization for wireless operators are just some of the benefits that are fueling excitement and accelerated adoption of WiMAX across the industry."
Motorola’s initial chipset will focus on core 802.16e mobile WiMAX functionality supporting voice, video and data for low power mobile applications in handsets and modules. These first chipsets are scheduled to support commercial Motorola WiMAX devices in 2008 for carriers in North America, Japan and around the world including Sprint and others. Motorola is working with its silicon vendors on the overall fabrication of the new chipsets.
"Sprint Nextel's ability to offer customers a nationwide mobile data network depends in part on broad availability of mobile WiMAX-enabled chipsets for advanced wireless broadband services," said Atish Gude, senior vice president, corporate strategy, Sprint Nextel. "WiMAX innovators like Motorola will help speed the adoption of wireless mobility products and services as we meet the growing access and mobile Internet needs of customers, when and where they want."
Motorola Continues WiMAX Momentum
Prior to today’s announcement, Motorola has made several significant industry leading announcements in recent months, including:
Motorola to support Sprint Nextel’s nationwide WiMAX network build out (August 8, 2006)
Motorola chosen by SOFTBANK for end-to-end WiMAX trial in Japan (July 24, 2006)
Motorola and Intel fund Clearwire Corp. for portable and mobile WiMAX networks (July 5, 2006)
Motorola chosen to plan, design and deploy a nationwide WiMAX network in Pakistan (May 23, 2006)