After Sprint's collaborative announcement and Milton Keynes' installation of WiMax, it turns out Intel's wireless protocol has found a backer in my own backyard. WiMax is of course designed to provide fast internet access without wires. Aside from desktops and laptops, WiMax will also be beneficial to smartphones and PDAs; being able to download lots of data from the 'net wirelessly will only increase these devices' functionality. And since WiMax may be able to provide the speed VoIP needs, perhaps that's how telecoms will handle mobile calls in the future?

Right after a recently concluded blogger's meet, I was able to talk to Jenny Velasco, marketing manager of Innove. Before I continue however, in the interest of full disclosure, Innove was sponsoring the meet, wining and dining us while getting our opinions and insight on broadband services.

Jenny related to me the story of Innove's efforts to upgrade our country's wireless infrastructure. Innove is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globe Telecom, and is that company's broadband provider. As early as 2004, Innove was already considering offering WiMax to subscribers, but WiMax wasn't clearly defined as a standard yet.

But finally, as of 2005, Innove and 24 other carriers worldwide began their efforts in earnest. As of last month, Jenny told me that Innove has already installed 100 CPEs (the equipment necessary to provide WiMax coverage), in areas south of the capital, Metro Manila. Ms. Velasco is optimistic about this venture's fortune, telling me that they planned "to launch commercially...as soon as the signal is ok."

As I've written before, going wireless is the best way for developing countries or areas to match-even surpass-the connectivity of wired nations. It's a cheaper way to provide Internet access, as there's no need to lay down kilometers of cable. As a Filipino, it's good to see that local companies like Innove at the very least aware of the possibilities technologies like WiMax can offer, especially for smartphones and PDAs.