TOKYO (WiMAX Day). According to a report today in The Nikkei, the consortium led by KDDI and Intel is a front-runner to receive one of the two coveted 2.5 GHz WiMAX licenses to be awarded on Friday. A special committee at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will convene to grant the licenses.

Known formally as Wireless Broadband Planning K.K. (WBPK), the group includes KDDI with a 32.26% shareholding, and Intel owning 17.65%. Partners include Daiwa Securities Group, East Japan Railway and Kyocera.

The report also said that PHS service provider Willcom will receive the second license.

The two other Japanese telecom providers, NTT DoCoMo and Softbank, also have been bidding for the WiMAX licenses. Last month, Spftbank President Masayoshi Son cried foul over the bidding process as both KDDI and Kyocera are  shareholders in Willcom.