- In line with the Indian government's Bharat
Nirman rural development agenda, the state-run carrier BSNL will enlist the
support of Intel and HCL in expanding WiMAX access throughout India, Nikkei
reported on November 4. BSNL and Intel have inked a memorandum of understanding
to launch a WiMAX acceleration program, seeking to stimulate economic growth in
India by expanding the availability of mobile WiMAX and affordable computing
devices. Also, Intel is expected to assist manufacturers in providing
WiMAX-enabled nettop, netbook, and notebook PCs as well as Smartphones for
BSNL's WiMAX network. HCL, meanwhile, plans to provide WiMAX-enabled nettop PCs
leveraging Intel's Atom processor in India's rural regions.
- Also in India, Tata Teleservices is expected
to invest 12.5 billion Rupees (US$267.1 million; US$1=46.8 Rupees) in launching
WiMAX and 3G mobile services in Mumbai and Maharashtra, Dow Jones reported on
November 4. The investment is expected to mostly cover expenditure on spectrum
auctions and capacity expansion.
- Bahraini WiMAX carrier Mena Telecom, a
subsidiary of Kuwait Finance House, is in the process of expanding its
nationwide WiMAX network across Bahrain, Gulf Daily News reported on November
1. New locations added to Mena Telecom's WiMAX network coverage include Durrat
Al Bahrain, Amwaj Islands, and Banyan Tree as well as its surrounding region.
Mena Telecom currently offers a service package of 15Mbps connection speed
bundled with voice telephony.