Mobile handset vendors Nokia, Samsung and LG are among more than 15 high-profile names that have joined together to develop a new 60GHz wireless technology known as WiGig. The WiGig Alliance said it is working on a specification – scheduled to be released before year-end – that will allow devices to communicate without wires at gigabit speeds within a typical room. The group’s vision is to create a global ecosystem of interoperable products based on this specification, which will unify the next generation of entertainment, computing and communications devices at speeds more than 10 times faster than today’s wireless LANs. The Alliance said the technology will be able to connect consumer electronics, handheld devices and personal computers.

Companies in the alliance include: Atheros, Broadcom, Dell, Intel, LG, Marvell, MediaTek, Microsoft, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic, Samsung and Wilocity. “Our member companies are leaders in the wireless, CE, PC and handheld markets,” said Dr. Ali Sadri, president and chairman of the Alliance. “They have the technical acumen and business experience to make the 60GHz wireless technology a reality for both the home and enterprise.”