A US-based mobile operator is to deal another blow to Intel's
hopes for Wimax by
launching 4G mobile network based on Ericsson's Long Term Evolution
(LTE) technology next year.
MetroPCS is the latest mobile operator to opt for the Internet
Protocol-based LTE technology to support higher data speeds than 3G
networks, according to the
Financial Times .
Korean handset manufacturer Samsung is to provide MetroPCS with
its initial LTE-based smartphone.
Earlier this month, Intel, which has invested heavily in Wimax,
slammed mobile operators for not backing the technology for
their 4G networks.
Intel chief Paul Otellini accused mobile operators of being
self-serving in refusing to move on to Wimax as they are still
trying to recoup investments in 3G.
Otellini said Wimax is a viable and proven 4G technology that is
being commercially deployed in Japan, Russia and some parts of the
US.
But mobile operators are increasing choosing LTE, which is
expected to be deployed by most of the world's major network
operators over the next five years.
Verizon Wireless, a joint venture between Verizon Communications
and the UK's Vodafone group, is expected to begin commercial
deployment of its LTE-based network in the US shortly.