TOKYO (WiMAX Day). The Japanese telecoms provider KDDI has announced the formation of their Wireless Broadband Planning K.K. (WBPK) joint venture this week. The new venture will seek to obtain the precious licenses for 2.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum soon to be auctioned by the Japanese government.

KDDI is joined in the venture by Intel, the AMerican chipset manufacturer. KDDI will hold a 32.26% stake in the venture, and Intel reportedly owns 17.65%. Other partners include Daiwa Securities Group, the East Japan Railway, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi.

While the primary focus of the WBPK venture will be to obtain the WiMAX licenses in Japan and launch a network there, a spokesman for the venture said that it plans for the network to have a global reach through roaming agreements.