Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs has signed a cooperative agreement with Intel to jointly promote WiMAX wireless technology. The agreement was signed by Economics Minister Ho Mei-yueh and Sean Maloney, Intel's EVP and GM of Intel Communications Group. Under the terms of the agreement, the ministry will promote the development of WiMAX equipment and service industries with the aim of providing highly cost-efficient WiMAX products, equipment and solutions to the fast-growing global telecommunication market. The MOEA will also coordinate distribution of domestic airwave frequencies and offer resources and assistance for WiMAX field trials. For its part, Intel, the world's leading manufacturer of microcomputer components for desktop and server systems, will assist Taiwan in developing WiMAX technologies that meet IEEE 802.16 standards and will help Taiwan's ODM makers develop advanced WiMAX broadband devices and solutions. Intel also promises to help ensure conformity and interoperability of locally produced WiMAX equipment with telecommunications networks in other countries. According to Ho, the government has drafted a five-year plan to offer wireless Internet connectivity to 8 million households. If all goes well, she said, WiMAX infrastructure will be in place in 15 demonstration areas in 10 cities around Taiwan by 2007 to allow for initial testing. Full article Telecom Asia