Intel Tested WiMax Rural Connectivity Platform with 60 Miles Coverage

Wimax, or better known as long distance WiFi is another famous backhaul technology that supports long distance wireless broadband access from one city to another. It is especially useful for those rural areas whereby setting up necessary infrastructure could be an obstacle. Intel, the famous giant chip maker has tested and even put in plan to start selling its WiMax platform to India and other countries later by this year.

Named as RCP (Rural Connectivity Platform), it is built up with a microprocessor, RF module and directional antenna that can boost up the distance coverage up to 60 miles. Surprisingly, the transmit power can be maintained as low as six watts, making it possible to be powered by solar energy. Thanks to its specially developed software that changed the way of how traditional radio transmission works. The software development has enabled specific time slots being allocated for data sent and received acknowledgment at once, promoting bandwidth efficiency with longer distance. According to testing results, the signal can broadcast from one node to another node situated at 60 miles away with a sustaining transmission rate of 6.5Mbps, which is far more sufficient for data, voice and even video conference to take place.

Intel has already tested the platform in few countries such as India, Vietnam and South Africa. The point to point solution which costs around $1000 for a pair of nodes, is very economic as compared to DSL or cable infrastructure and even more stable than satellite broadband technology.