Sprint and Intel Corporation have announced an agreement to engage in joint efforts to advance the development of IEEE standards-based 802.16e WiMAX mobile technology, which can provide high-capacity wireless broadband coverage and services throughout metro areas.

The companies will collaborate on technical specifications, perform equipment trials and conduct interoperability testing to examine possible next-generation wide-area wireless broadband devices and services. Ubiquitous wireless broadband access will help meet blossoming demand among businesses and consumers for rapid wireless Internet connectivity and integrated multimedia services.

WiMAX, short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections. WiMAX will provide fixed, nomadic, portable and eventually mobile wireless broadband connectivity without the need for direct line-of-sight with a base station.

In January, Sprint joined the WiMAX Forum and was recently elected to the Board of Directors to lend its support and network expertise to that organization's mission of global interoperability standards formation for broadband wireless access products.