Intel Corporation this week projected inking a deal with the Chinese municipal governments to build two WiMAX zones in Dalian and Chengdu to provide broadband wireless Internet in the areas where using cables is either economically inexpediently or cannot satisfy all demands for the connection.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines plans to deploy network infrastructure to take advantage of next-generation WiMAX broadband wireless technology (also known as 802.16), which provides a wireless alternative for last-mile broadband connectivity to businesses and homes. Specific terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Communications have changed the way people treat personal computers. Not a lot of consumers are interested in PCs with no connection to the Internet these days. However, being not satisfied with WLAN that is available only near special hot-spots and GPRS that allows only relatively low-speed connection, end-users aim at something that is fast and is available everywhere. High-speed Internet and availability everywhere is something that 3G and WiMAX technologies are able to offer later in this decade.

Various versions of WiMAX allow devices to connect to a network at speeds of up to 70Mb/s in the range of 31 miles around the “access point”. 3G is next-generation implementation of cellular phone technology, such as GSM, that allows to connect to the Internet at the speeds of up to 2Mb/s (depending on the situation and network settings). WiMAX is heavily proposed by the comm giants Intel and Nokia.

Dalian, a port city in China's northeast region, has a population of 5.9 million and is an important center for industry, trade and finance for the region. Dalian continues to develop its IT infrastructure and software industry.

Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and covers 12 390 square kilometers with a population of more than 10 million. Chengdu is not only an important hub for the southwest region in the area of commerce and trade but with more than 20 universities Chengdu continues to build a strong foundation in R&D research facilities and personnel.

This is the first time when Intel decided to help regions to deploy WiMAX.