IBM Corp., Intel Corp. and a number of wireless services operators are considering building a wireless data network across the U.S., according to The New York Times.
The scheme, called Project Rainbow, would enable users of handheld and portable computers to access the Internet and corporate networks at high speed using wireless links based on the 802.11 standard, the newspaper said on its Web site Tuesday morning.
The companies involved — which also include AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Cingular Wireless LLC — would build access points in public places such as airports but would not try to supply access to people’s homes, according to the report.
The companies will take several months to decide whether there is a workable business model for the plan, the report said, quoting an executive involved with the scheme.