Sprint Nextel Cites WiMAX Network Progress For 2007

Sprint Nextel has announced progress with its plans for a large scale WiMAX deployment. Sprint Nextel intends to launch Mobile WiMAX broadband services in initial markets by year-end 2007 with a larger roll-out encompassing at least 100 million people by year-end 2008.

"We enter 2007, the year of our history-making WiMAX service launch, as the broadband mobility leader," remarked Barry West, president, 4G Mobile Broadband. "Our next generation network plans have catalyzed the industry, and momentum behind our mobility vision grows with increasing technology adoption."

Sprint Nextel last August announced WiMAX IEEE802.16e-2005 as its next generation mobile technology platform and formed an infrastructure development ecosystem with charter partners Intel Corporation, Samsung and Motorola. They plan on using a chipset embedding strategy in new and conventional devices to support rapid market adoption and pervasive access of WiMAX mobility technology.

Indicative of the current momentum behind Sprint Nextel's Mobile WiMAX initiative:

• The Chicago and Washington D.C. areas have been chosen as initial WiMAX service areas with additional markets to be identified based on market-readiness estimates;
• Nokia, the world's largest cell phone manufacturer and leading network supplier, was named a key infrastructure and consumer electronic device supplier;
• Motorola announced a strategic initiative to develop mobile WiMAX chipsets for use in Motorola's next-generation WiMAX devices;
• Samsung has committed to delivering six WiMAX-capable devices (including Ultra mobile PCs and personal media players); Samsung also plans to enter the WiMAX chipset business;
• Intel completed the design of a single-chip, multi-band WiMAX/WiFi chipset that it will sample in card and module forms in late 2007;
• LG Electronics Inc. intends to develop an infotainment device that would work on the Sprint Nextel WiMAX network;

Posted to the site on 9th January 2007