Intel revealed its next-generation WiMAX silicon device at WCA 2006 today, a dual-mode chipset that will work in both 802.16d and 802.16e modes.

Intel Mobility Group Vice President Scott Richardson said the new device will be bit compatible with its predecessor, Rosedale, and will be the first to integrate Intel’s global WiMAX radio chip. According to Unstrung News, Rosedale 2 is meant for use in residential gateways in modems, but Intel is also exploring its use in picocell base stations.

Rosedale 2 is meant make WiMAX competitive with DSL and cable modems. True 802.16e equipment will likely ship sometime in 2007. The 802.16e "mobile" flavor of WiMAX will allow WiMAX capabilities to be shipped inside devices. Fujitsu also disclose its own timetable for mobile WiMAX capabilities in a press conference on Thursday.

WiMAX could deliver broadband wireless service inside trains and buses.

• WiBro on a bus was demonstrated last week by South Korea’s biggest telecom carrier, KT. The buses aren't anything special - it's just that WiBro's broadband wireless system works inside one. About 150 base stations now support the service in Seoul. The broadband wireless network, a precursor to Mobile WiMAX, is expected to expand to between 700 and 1,000 transmitters by the fourth quarter this year.

• Virgin Trains, in the UK, has opted for WiMax to connect passengers. Virgin will experiment with the long range broadband wireless standard on its west coast mainline service, with the first installation already completed on a Pendolino train. Virgin signed up QinetiQ Rail to provide wireless connectivity for travellers using a mix of wi-fi, HSDPA, pre-standard WiMax and satellite technology.

• Japanese "bullet trains" will get WiFi while traveling at 300kph -- in 2009.

• A plan to light up the rail line from north of Sacramento to San Jose with wireless broadband coverage is being explored. The Capitol Corridor wireless plan could lead to the largest onboard train deployment of its kind in the United States. An RFI was released on March 23, 2006. Eleven proposals were received and four were selected to participate in the tests. The trains will have WiFi hotspots inside the cars.

Juniper research predicts, mobile WiMax subscriptions will go from 1.7 million in 2007 to 21.4 million by 2012. Arraycomm expects (pdf) that broadband wireless could serve a market potential of more than 500 million handheld users by then.

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