With Motorola's phone business struggling more than it ever has these days, it's looking to turn its not inconsiderable gadgetry expertise in a new direction – WiMAX networking.
The company has announced that it is to start production of a WiMAX modem/router called the CPEi 750. Featuring a single data port and two voice-over-IP ports and supporting both the 2.5GHz and 3.5GHz versions of WiMAX the router is designed for connecting home users to a metropolitan area network based around the wireless last-mile service. Okay, so there aren't actually any large-scale WiMAX deployments in this country yet, but it's reassuring to know that should the technology take off we'll be covered for hardware.
For the road warrior – a user far more likely to need a wireless connection like WiMAX than a home user tied to a desk – the company has announced the PCCw (again, presumably standing for PC Card wireless – Motorola seriously need to up the imagination quotient when naming these things) 200 PC Card for laptops. Again supporting both the 2.5GHz and 3GHz bands the card will – in theory – offer global roaming. Sadly, Motorola can only name ten fully-operational deployments its currently engaged in, with most of those situated in the Far East.
I'm personally hoping that WiMAX – or at the very least a similar wireless broadband technology – takes off, as 3G connections are patchy and expensive and my Eee cries out for on-the-go browsing.
A case of 'build it and they will come', or is Motorola betting on the wrong horse? Share your thoughts over in
the forums.
Want to comment? Please log in.