Intel pushes China for foreign wireless standards

Intel is urging China to back down on its move to ban foreign wireless standards and enforce Chinese wi-fi encryption.

The ban, effective on June 1, means that foreign companies intending to trade in the country will have to partner with one of 24 national firms that own the Chinese encryption wireless algorithm.

"We haven't changed our basic position," said Intel CEO Craig Barrett. "We will sell our Centrino mobile technology up until June 1. Hopefully, we'll get the issue resolved before then."

Last month Intel said it would be unable to meet the Chinese standard, Wired Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (WAPI), and would therefore not trade with its Centrino chip in China.

The US government has protested against the WAPI notion since last year.

"I am a firm believer that international standards allow more rapid movement of technology," said Barrett.