Intel Corporation and France Telecom / Orange have partnered to test pre-WiMAX broadband wireless technology during the Tour de France. Hundreds of international journalists and other accredited persons enjoyed quick and easy Internet access via a WiFi-hotspot linked to a WiMAX backhaul. This solution provided low-cost, broadband Internet connections to the heart of the press room, from which news was sent out to editorial offices across the world. Broadband symmetric connections enabled quicker and easier uploads compared to DSL allowing the press to send multi-media-rich information faster and more efficiently. For each new stage of the Tour de France, France Telecom / Orange staff were tasked with installing all of the technical equipment overnight at each of the new venues. WiMAX brings portability and fast installation (within 1 hour) without disruptive laying of cables saving a lot of time for the technical staff. The WiMAX trial, enabled journalists to connect to the internet via a "hotspot on the road". The Intel-based pre-WiMAX equipment from Alvarion brought broadband wireless access to the 450 journalists following the Tour de France, through a France Telecom / Orange WiFi hotspot verified on the Intel Centrino mobile technology.
www.intel.com