Intel to build Atomized Linux fortress in Taiwan

Throws money at local WiMax

By Austin Modine • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 30th October 2008 18:37 GMT

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Intel has recruited the Taiwanese government for its project to put a Linux stack on the Atom processor.

The chip maker announced today that it's partnering with Taiwan's Ministery of Economic Affairs (MOEA) to establish a "Moblin Enabling Center" to drum up developer support and interest.

Its investment arm is also sinking 386m New Taiwan dollars (US $11.7m, £ 7.14m) into the WiMax technology carrier VMax, which plans to roll out Taiwan's first nation-wide 4G WiMax network.

Moblin is a Linux stack designed to be fast and light for low-cost, low-power netbooks and nettops.

The Moblin lab will train and consult device and software vendors, which Intel hopes will mean more Moblin-based devices arriving sooner to market. The company's main contribution will be stocking the joint full of engineers.

"With a shared vision to accelerate mobility industry momentum, our collaboration with Intel positions Taiwan to further capitalize on opportunities created by the next phase of the Internet," said Yiin Chi-Min, Minister of the Taiwan MOEA.

VMax is the 30th WiMax company to receive funding from Intel worldwide.

"With Intel Capital's support, VMax intends to become the first-mover in bringing the benefits of high-speed wireless broadband to Taiwan," said C.K. Liu, Vmax chairman. "Vmax intends to be the first to deploy a 2.5GHz WiMax network in Asia Pacific."

Intel said the WiMax service will be available in Taiwan in the first half of 2009. ®

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