As part of its effort to push adoption of WiMax fixed-wireless broadband technology, Intel is working with government regulators and operators in several Southeast Asian countries to conduct tests of the technology, the company said Thursday.

Intel is currently involved with WiMax trials under way in Malaysia and Thailand, it said in a statement.

In Thailand, WiMax trials have started in Khorat, Chiang Mai and Roi Et to test a range of services for users in rural and suburban environments, Intel said. The trials, which are being conducted to test different WiMax architectures for backhaul and last-mile connectivity, test a range of different applications, including VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) and healthcare services, it said.

The results of the Thai trials will be reviewed by aid organizations as a possible blueprint for WiMax rollouts in other Southeast Asian countries, it said.

WiMax trials are also underway in Putrajaya and Kepala Batas in Malaysia, according to Intel.

Looking ahead, the Philippines plans to start WiMax trials by the end of this year and Intel hopes to see trials get under way in Vietnam and Indonesia during 2006, Intel said.