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'New' Clearwire formed with Google, Intel investment

The asset merger between Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. aimed at forming a cutting-edge new wireless Internet network was closed Friday, with help from a $3.2 billion investment by Google Inc., Intel Corp., Comcast Corp. and others.

The merger, which has Sprint blending valuable spectrum rights and other assets with Clearwire, is expected to pave the way for a broader network based on so-called "WiMax" technology, a powerful wireless standard that could develop into an alternative to more traditional cellular phone networks.

The new network is seen as crucial to Sprint's efforts to keep pace with larger rivals AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless, while it's also expected to serve as a sort of test bed for more advanced wireless Internet devices and applications.

The investments by Google, Intel, Comcast and others were previously disclosed. Additional investors in the venture include Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.

For Internet giant Google, the new Clearwire network represents another advance into a wireless industry expected to see an increasing amount of Web traffic.

Clearwire has said the network should provide a home to a wide array of wireless Internet devices, including those featuring Google's Android mobile operating system.

Google-branded Android devices are currently available on T-Mobile USA's network.

A Clearwire spokeswoman said the company expects to begin offering mobile service on the new network in Portland, Oregon in the first quarter of next year.

The Federal Communications Commission had approved the Sprint and Clearwire asset merger earlier this month, despite the protests of Sprint rival AT&T.

AT&T argued that the merger should be more heavily scrutinized, because of the vast amounts of spectrum to be combined.

Источник: Total Telecom

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