Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks are testing interoperability across Intel’s forthcoming WiMAX silicon for laptops and mobile Internet devices, Nokia WiMAX devices and Nokia Siemens Networks WiMAX infrastructure equipment.

Nokia also said it will use Intel’s WiMAX silicon product, which is codenamed “Baxter Peak” and designed specifically for mobile Internet and consumer electronic devices, in its forthcoming Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets. The Internet tablets will be among the very first WiMAX-enabled open Internet devices expected to ship in 2008.

“WiMAX enables the mobile Internet and makes it possible to get content on a variety of new mobile devices at broadband speed, and our Baxter Peak solution is designed specifically for these exciting new devices,” said Raviv Melamed, general manager of Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group.

Intel, Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks have already started testing their equipment and devices with dozens of other equipment vendors’ products for interoperability and conformance with industry standards in Sprint’s Herndon, Va. testing labs. Early interoperability testing between multiple industry partners will help to reduce the amount of time required for their respective products to successfully pass through the technical requirements from the WiMAX Forum thus accelerating time-to-market.

The Nokia Nseries Internet Tablets are designed to provide a rich Internet experience on a new innovative multimedia computer platform that is small enough to fit into the pocket. They are based upon the open source Linux operating system, to enable both Nokia and Intel’s vision of the “open Internet”, delivering broadband Internet experience to users on the go. In 2008, this platform with Intel’s Baxter Peak WiMAX silicon will work on the Sprint Xohm WiMAX network.

Based on the same WiMAX baseband silicon found in Intel’s “Echo Peak” MiniCard module for laptops and ultra-mobile devices, Baxter Peak is optimized for small form factors and low power consumption. It also includes multiple input/multiple output antenna techniques, supporting better reception and faster throughput in challenging environments.