Intel has upped its interest in WiMAX technology, investing NT$386 million (US$11.7 million) in Taiwanese operator VMAX and signing an agreement with the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs to establish a development centre on the island focused on open source software and applications built around its Atom chip. VMAX is a joint venture between equipment maker Tecom and local mobile operator Vibo Telecom. VMAX plans to launch Taiwan’s first mobile WiMAX network – and Asia Pacific’s first mobile WiMAX network in the 2.5GHz spectrum band – in the first half of next year. Meanwhile the development centre will open in December.

In a statement, Intel said that Intel Capital has now invested in 30 WiMAX companies worldwide. Intel has previously said it plans to spend up to US$500 million over five years in Taiwan for procurement and investment, including WiMAX. Intel has also reportedly invested US$1B in the US joint venture to be formed from the merger of Sprint and Clearwire’s WiMAX assets.