To allow “seamless” nationwide roaming
In a joint announcement today Sprint Nextel Corporation and Clearwire Corporation released their plans to build the first U.S. nationwide WiMax network.
The wireless network will provide broadband-speed Internet access to two groups of customers: Sprint Nextel plans to build about 65% of the network, with Clearwire handling the remaining 35%. Sprint Nextel will cover the geographic areas with nearly 185 million customers (75% of the populace in the 50 largest U.S. markets) and Clearwire will focus on other areas that cover a geographic area of about 115 million customers. Plans are for coverage of at least 100 million customers by the end of 2008.
The joint building and coverage of the two companies will allow each company to build its network portion and service its new territory, saving each the costs of undertaking such an endeavor alone, while being able to share the benefits of creating a nationwide network. The goal of the nationwide WiMax network will provide customers with Internet access at broadband speeds in a “seamless” delivery mode at up to 5 times the speed of existing third-generation wireless networks.
The partnership has yet to be branded with a name, and still must pass regulatory approval of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
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David Stellmack
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