Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) has ramped up efforts to develop kit based on 802.16e technology, the mobile WiMax standard due for ratification by the end of this year.

The Finnish vendor -- which last year rejoined the WiMax Forum following a previous snub -- is teaming with market driver Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) on development of mobile WiMax network equipment and devices (see Nokia, Intel Team on WiMax and Nokia Rejoins WiMax Forum).

Nokia is keen to stress that it does not regard WiMax as a competitive threat to its main cellular business. “We see it was a complementary solution,” says Anna Lindén, communications manager at the vendor’s networks division. “It really depends on the operator’s business case, regulatory issues, and what technologies they have already deployed and will choose in the future.”

Get all the details at Unstrung.

— Justin Springham, Senior Editor, Europe, Unstrung