In addition to being named as Clearwire's all-IP mobile network infrastructure provider, Cisco plans to build new mobile WiMax devices for the consumer, small office or home office, and small and medium-sized business markets.Clearwire
and Cisco announced May 12 an alliance to enhance and expand Clearwire's 4G
mobile WiMax network, currently limited to Baltimore and Portland, Ore. The deal names Cisco as
Clearwire's IP NGN (national Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network) core infrastructure
provider with Cisco to build new mobile WiMax devices for the consumer, small
office or home office, and small and medium-sized business markets.
Clearwire said
in March it plans to roll out all-IP 4G WiMax networks in eight cities in 2009
and add at least another four markets in 2010. Clearwire and Sprint Nextel are
the only two U.S. carriers
betting on WiMax to deliver 4G wireless broadband. Verizon Wireless and
AT&T, the nation's two largest carriers, are betting on a rival technology
called LTE for their 4G networks.
Both WiMax and LTE allow for the delivery of last-mile
wireless broadband access, promising faster download speeds than current
cellular networks.
"By teaming with Cisco...we're building a robust and cost-efficient
next-generation network that's designed specifically for delivering rich
broadband services," Scott Richardson, Clearwire's Chief Strategy Officer,
said in a statement. "In addition, Cisco plans to develop WiMax technology
for end-user devices, which will give consumers and businesses more compelling
ways to stay connected through our...4G service."
Clearwire has selected and is in the process of testing and certification of a
Cisco IP NGN architecture that includes Cisco 7600 Series Internet routers, Cisco
ONS 15454 and Cisco ONS 15310 platforms, Cisco ASA Firewalls and the Cisco
Service and Application Module for IP (SAMI) Home Agent.
"Clearwire's ecosystem of partners, coupled with our all-IP
next-generation network, will deliver a true mobile broadband experience,"
said Ned Hooper, Cisco's senior vice president of corporate development.
"In addition, incorporating WiMAX into our products will help enable
people to move freely throughout the United States, while maintaining continuous
connectivity to personalized applications and services."
Clearwire plans
to build WiMax networks this year in Atlanta; Las
Vegas; Chicago; Charlotte, N.C.;
Dallas/Fort Worth; Honolulu; Philadelphia; and Seattle. Cities
on the 2010 build-out board include New York, Washington, D.C., Boston and San
Francisco.
Sprint Nextel opened the original
U.S. WiMax market in Baltimore last year. Following a merger that saw
Sprint turn over its entire 2.5GHz spectrum holdings and its WiMax-related
assets, including its Xohm division, to Clearwire, the newly branded Clear Jan. 6 rolled out a WiMax network in
Portland, Ore.
As part of the merger deal, Clearwire also brought in
$3.2 billion in WiMax investments from Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable,
Google and Bright House Networks. Comcast, Intel and Google have already taken
write-downs on their WiMax investments as Clearwire's stock price has plunged.