Published in News

First Mobile WiMax network in U.S. live

by on09 October 2008

Image

Sprint Nextel goes dual mode 3G/4G


Sprint Nextel
ceremonially launched the first mobile WiMax network in the U.S. yesterday.

Also released were several new laptops that will have WiMax chips under the bonnet and the news that Sprint will be offering dual-mode 3G/4G products by the end of the year. Sprint started peddling the new wireless broadband service called Xohm last week. Based on WiMax, Xohm uses the 2.5GHz spectrum band with average download speeds between 2-4 Mbps.

Baltimore is the first city to get Xohm, but it's expected to launch soon in more cities, such as Chicago and Philadelphia. Getting devices in the market that can use the WiMax technology is crucial to making Sprint's 4G strategy a success. Sprint currently claims to have at least a two-year head start over its wireless competitors AT&T and Verizon Wireless, which both plan to use a technology called LTE (Long Term Evolution) to build their 4G network.

If WiMax can get enough of a base before LTE can get established then the standard might win long-term, even though most experts think LTE is much better.
Last modified on 10 October 2008
Rate this item
(0 votes)