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Sprint to pay $1.025bn to Clearwire for 4G services

Sprint Nextel Corp. and Clearwire Corp. said Tuesday that they had settled their dispute over wholesale pricing, providing Clearwire with badly needed cash in a new agreement. Sprint will pay a minimum of $1.025 billion over the next two years to use Clearwire's super-fast wireless service.

The agreement between Sprint and Clearwire brings clarity to their relationship and allows them to push forward with their respective 4G strategies. The deal comes as competitors such as Verizon Wireless begin to tout their own speedy wireless services. For Clearwire, the deal provides a steady flow of cash to be used in its network rollout as the company continues to seek financing. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC.

"This provides us with the capital to operate efficiently over the next couple of years," Clearwire interim Chief Executive John Stanton said in an interview."It allows us to plan for our expansion."

He added that the agreement reaffirms the companies' relationship, as well as the strength of the combined spectrum position.

Despite the deal, Clearwire continues to face a cash-crunch which impairs its future ability to invest in its network.

"There are still issues that need to be resolved," said Walter Piecyk, an analyst at BTIG Research."At some point during this process, money will have to show up."

Interim CEO Stanton acknowledged that the company would need additional financing if it wants to use a second variation of 4G technology more widely adopted by the wireless industry.

"We're working on that," he said, adding he believes there is interest from Sprint and Clearwire's other shareholders, including cable companies, Intel Corp. and Google Inc.

Sprint and Clearwire's dispute revolved around the wholesale agreement in which Sprint customers ride on Clearwire's network when using 4G smartphones such as the HTC Corp.'s Evo 4G and Samsung Electronics Co.'s Epic. Sprint is by far Clearwire's largest customer and majority shareholder, with a 54% stake in the company.

The disagreement, which began in October, bogged down the companies, preventing them from focusing on more pressing matters such as a possible cash infusion to Clearwire or an outright purchase of the company, or a possible network-sharing agreement. Sprint, meanwhile, is readying its own 4G plan independent of Clearwire. Sprint CEO Dan Hesse previously said he needed to set the wholesale terms with Clearwire before looking at future deals with Clearwire.

Stanton declined to comment on whether he was in discussions with Sprint on a potential acquisition. But he added that Clearwire's spectrum position will be crucial to Sprint's own 4G plans.

Sprint will pay Clearwire $300 million this year, and $550 million in 2012 for access to its 4G network. Sprint also committed another $175 million for additional use for the next two years and beyond. The figures represent a minimum commitment; Sprint will pay more if data usage continues to grow.

The regular payments are designed to provide Clearwire with additional financial flexibility as it continues to roll out its 4G network across the country.

The agreement likely frees up Clearwire to strike similar deals with other potential customers.

"While Clearwire was negotiating with Sprint, they were probably hamstrung in negotiations with other carriers," Piecyk said.

Sprint shares recently rose 0.3% to $4.71. Clearwire fell 3.6% to $5.57

Источник: Total Telecom

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