Clearwire and Sprint close deal to combine WiMAX businesses

This one's been a long time in the making, but the deal is finally done. Clearwire and Sprint Nextel have gleefully announced that the transaction to combine their next-generation wireless internet businesses is complete, and beers are on the two of 'em this evening. On the real, the agreement dictates that Sprint hand over all of its 2.5GHz spectrum and WiMAX-related assets (including XOHM) to Clearwire; additionally, Clearwire has received a $3.2 billion cash infusion from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, Google and Bright House Networks. Details beyond that are scant, though we are told that the terms "originally announced on May 7, 2008" are the ones being abided by, and the new company will retain the Clearwire name and its Kirkland, Washington headquarters.

[lingyun @ Nov 28th 2008 7:55PM]

Look forward

[bill cant fart @ Nov 28th 2008 8:32PM]

Don't listen to him!! Look to the right!

[Bordgious @ Nov 28th 2008 7:57PM]

Now the question is, which one will let me stop paying for the other?

[digitallysick @ Nov 28th 2008 7:59PM]

The sad part is Clearwire are a bunch of douchebags the management is horrible . (Trust me they are near my area) You can expect poor service , they contactly hire and fire employees , they can't keep people there

[Totalfixation @ Nov 28th 2008 8:08PM]

I would prefer LTE over Wimax, but this is a good sign of competition, which keeps the LTE network on check.

[leo @ Dec 3rd 2008 11:22AM]

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[bsharitt @ Nov 28th 2008 8:10PM]

I was actually chatting to someone at clearwire today to see what version of clearwire was running in Dayton, OH and if the N810 would work. They pasted something that sounded like press release saying that clearwire was commited to growing its network or some such, but nothing helpful. After digging around, I thing they're still stuck with pre-WiMAX(fixed) stuff in Dayton. Oh well.

[AVG @ Nov 28th 2008 8:11PM]

I think that WiMAX will be given up on and dead by 2011, maybe even the later parts of 2010. I'm now taking bets. Who wants in on the pot?

[SPOKE @ Nov 28th 2008 10:42PM]

BY POT DO YOU MEAN GRASS?

[AVG @ Nov 29th 2008 12:13AM]

Yes I do.

[Tohe @ Nov 28th 2008 8:16PM]

Anything with Comcast logo in it is a red flag for me.

[Keaton @ Nov 30th 2008 1:54PM]

So Clearwire just became Sprint's Bitch?

[Messymeese @ Nov 28th 2008 8:20PM]

Gimme the WiMax! Pick me!


http://meesination.tumblr.com/

[Messymeese @ Nov 30th 2008 1:28AM]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm

[wimaxed @ Nov 28th 2008 8:28PM]

I think is premature to give a verdict like that.
It's a lot easier to have an opinion then actually doing something.
These people worked hard to make this technology a reality and comments like these have no value.

[AVG @ Nov 28th 2008 8:49PM]

You're just mad because in a couple of years nobody will know what your name means anymore.

[wimaxjet @ Nov 28th 2008 8:31PM]

This is great news for the WiMAX technology. This tells the world the WiMAX is here to stay.

http://www.wimaxed.com

[cb88 @ Nov 29th 2008 1:51AM]

I live in a rural area... we don't even have affordable broadband out here

where is this WiMAX ? I don't see it it isn't really even out and you say it is here to stay?

[Owen @ Nov 28th 2008 8:53PM]

This is also nice.

[Jori @ Nov 28th 2008 9:07PM]

Hopefully this is actually used effectively and have some real benefit.

[Dmouse9499 @ Nov 28th 2008 9:09PM]

slick!

[Ferrum.Mihi @ Nov 28th 2008 9:10PM]

sweet!

[partyandbs @ Nov 28th 2008 9:11PM]

nice wouldnt mind these

[Tired_ @ Nov 28th 2008 9:20PM]

why is Comcast buying in on this? Won't Clearwire be a direct competitor?

[wimaxed @ Nov 28th 2008 9:39PM]

Comcast can't be a competitor since WiMAX is mainly a mobile wireless technology and Comcast is a cable company.

http://www.WiMAXED.com

[scott nelson @ Nov 28th 2008 10:49PM]

test

[cocoviper @ Nov 29th 2008 3:41AM]

Comcast is in the logo because they put in part of that 3.5B in cash. They also get the ability to sell Clearwire services under an MVNO relationship.

[marc @ Nov 28th 2008 11:18PM]

i think the issue at hand is that wimax is a last mile technology and the cable companies know they're going to be hit hard by dishes and FIOS, so why not diversify a bit (similarly, the oil companies invest heavily in alternative energy). Personally, whatever gets a wimax phone in my hands in the bay area faster is great. ...now where's that damn wimax phone anyway (other than the HTC one in russia)?!

[willardjuice @ Nov 29th 2008 12:42AM]

This would be good.

[Justin @ Nov 29th 2008 12:55AM]

Awesome, now where's AT&T and Verizon?

[DarylO @ Nov 29th 2008 1:02AM]

I live in Portland, OR, one of Clearwire's WiMax test markets. I checked them out the other day when I visited a computer store selling their service in Beaverton. I was impressed with their speeds and reasonable prices, but I was turned off by their requirement that people commit to a two-year contract. Why would I want to commit two years to a service that I don't even know will be reliable? If there were no contract requirement, I would definitely consider switching from Comcast....

[Lancelot @ Nov 29th 2008 6:27PM]

I take it you didn't buy an Iphone.. AT&T required a 2 yr. contract before anyone really had a chance to test how good the 3G network was.. Heck, you can't even buy new cellular service & get a free phone without a 2 yr. contract.. I do agree, 2 yrs. is one heck of a commitment but unfortunately it's here to stay.. I use Metro PCS for that exact reason, They are month to month without any contract & have good coverage where I live. Plus, they're cheap, I pay $45 per month for unlimited minutes, text & internet..

[DarylO @ Nov 29th 2008 3:24AM]

By the way, I'd just like to correct wimaxed's statement that Comcast would not be a competitor. It WOULD be, as Clearwire (or 'Clear', as they are currently calling themselves in their new 4G incarnation), is offering residential service in addition to mobile service. I saw their Motorola desktop modem with my own eyes. That Comcast has invested money in this venture shows that they really do consider WiMax a threat, so don't count on it being 'dead' by 2011....

[Lancelot @ Nov 29th 2008 6:16PM]

If you haven't read any of the numerous articles about WiMax I would. Especially before bashing it. This technology will be a big benefit to all of us, both cellular & PC.. Their rates will be cheaper than anything out there, plus you'll get "Broadband" speeds. I'm talking three times as fast as 3G & loads faster than edge. I witnessed a test where Wimax loaded the same website that Steve Jobs did, during the iphone keynote, in 3 sec. If you remember 3G loaded the page in 20 sec. Also, once you read all the benefits that "Wimax" will have over "LTE" you'll be praying for its success. Once the new "Clearwire" company is formed they'll be pushing this out quickly. I know that Intel & Google & others will be directly involved so I'd expect those that live in big cities to get it first.. Lucky Dogs..

[Justin Ried @ Nov 30th 2008 7:52PM]

With an expensive rollout like this, adoption will be a major issue. Telecom services will burn through cash reserves like no other business, so Clearwire needs quick and substantial uptake. Hopefully they get the distribution model right and price the service competitively.

The other big providers will almost certainly be putting a lot of downward pressure on prices to steer people away from WiMAX.

[Bill @ Dec 1st 2008 8:37AM]

WiMax has the clear price advantage - half the price of current cellular broadband.

I don't think LTE will be any cheaper than current cellular broadband.