A recent deal between two telecom titans should increase the availability and performance of mobile Web access. Clearwire and Sprint Nextel will combine their next-generation wireless Internet businesses to form a new company called Clear, which expects to build the first nationwide 4G mobile broadband network.

Clearwire’s open all-IP network uses mobile WiMAX technology, providing average download speeds of 2 to 4 Mbits/s and peak rates that are considerably faster, according to the companies. Yet Clearwire also noted that its spectrum holdings give the company real differentiation in the market for true, mobile broadband services.

As the deal closed, Sprint contributed its entire 2.5-GHz spectrum holdings to Clearwire. With this combined spectrum portfolio, Clearwire now has 100 MHz or more of optimal 4G spectrum in most markets across the U.S. These new mobile WiMAX services will carry the Clear brand, and they will be phased into markets where Clearwire offers pre-WiMAX services.

“As we roll out our network across the country, people will no longer have to make the choice between speed and mobility. We are bringing a new mobile Internet experience to customers at speeds previously relegated to fixed locations,” said Benjamin G. Wolff, chief executive officer at Clearwire.

The Clear brand will replace the XOHM service name previously used by Sprint Nextel in the Baltimore market. Clearwire doesn’t expect any impact on current XOHM customers, who will still be able to take advantage of wireless Internet access via their notebooks and other portable multimedia devices, nor will there be a disruption in their service plans and features.

In addition to this deal, Clearwire has received a $3.2 billion investment from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, Google, and Bright House Networks, along with further investments from Trilogy Equity Partners in the months ahead. Each of these companies will develop services or technologies specifically targeting 4G networks.

Intel will work with manufacturers to embed WiMAX chips into Intel Centrino 2 processor technology-based laptops and other Intel-based mobile Internet devices. It also will market Clear’s service in association with Intel’s performance notebook PC brand. 


Google will partner with the Clearwire in the development of Internet services, advertising services, and applications for mobile WiMAX devices. In addition, Google will be the search provider and a preferred provider of other applications for Clearwire’s retail product.

Furthermore, Google will partner with Clearwire on an open Internet business protocol for mobile broadband devices. Clearwire will support Google’s Android operating system software in its future voice and data devices that it provides to its retail customers. 


Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks will enter into wholesale agreements with Clearwire, becoming 4G providers of Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX service. These companies also will enter into 3G wholesale agreements with Sprint, becoming bundled providers of Sprint’s wireless voice and data services. 


“People should be able to access the Internet anytime, regardless of where they are or what device they choose to use,” said Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer and chairman of Google. “We are pleased that Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX network will soon offer high-speed broadband that will allow subscribers to be online in a greater number of places and on a larger variety of devices.”

• Clearwire
• Sprint Nextel

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