Intel Joins Wireless Broadband Alliance

Intel on Monday joined the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), an industry group that promotes adoption of 3G Wi-Fi roaming worldwide.

The WBA was founded in 2003 by telecommunication operators looking to increase interoperability across networks and devices by developing common technical and commercial frameworks for wireless technology. The WBA has developed a standard specification called Wireless Roaming Intermediary Exchange which facilitates roaming and reduces the time it takes for new wireless technology operators to go to market.

Intel says its entry to the WBA is another example of the leadership role it has been playing in the Wi-Fi market.

"Intel has always been at the forefront of networking technologies and one of the Wi-Fi pioneers," an Intel spokesperson told CRN. "Intel sits on most of the industry bodies that create standards for networking technologies and has for years. This is a continuation of our ongoing networking efforts."

Several signs over the last few months have pointed to Intel's increased interest in the mobile market, including the purchase of Infineon Wireless Solutions in August, the appearance last month of a leaked internal e-mail , in which Intel CEO Paul Otellini called the company's investment in mobile technology "a marathon, not a sprint," and the company's announcement a week later of plans to build Atom processors specifically for tablets code-named Oak Trail .

Other new WBA members include Google, Aruba Networks, Meru Networks and Ruckus Wireless, as well as specialist roaming solution providers Accuris Networks and Aicent. New operator members include mobile communications operator NTT DOCOMO and broadband operator TTNet from the Turk Telekom group.

In total, the WBA includes forty-six members, sixteen of which joined the Alliance this year.