Intel-backed technology gains boost even before laptops appear

Mobile WiMax has been approved as an international standard by the ITU, giving the technology a boost before it makes its bow in laptops next year. Backed by Intel, which will build the technology into chipsets, WiMax is likely to be ubiquitous across future generations of mobile PCs.

"This brings more credibility to mobile WiMax, especially in the European market,” said Ovum analyst Julien Grivolas.

“[Early uptake will depend upon] when end-user devices will be available in volume and at what price. There is currently very little mobile WiMax end-user equipment whereas there is lots of 3G and HSDPA equipment so [WiMax supporters] will need to create product at a very interesting price. The success of WiMax depends on it becoming a commodity like WiFi but, just like with WiFi, it is likely to coexist with [3G and subsequent cellular technologies]."