Tuesday, 9 January 2007

Sprint Nextel and Nokia in WiMAX Pact

Sprint Nextel has revealed that Nokia has been named a key infrastructure and consumer electronic device provider for its 4G WiMAX next generation mobility network. Nokia joins Intel, Samsung and Motorola in creating the network infrastructure and access devices which will be designed to allow consumers, businesses and governments to experience high bandwidth mobile Internet connectivity at access speeds higher than today's wireless networks beginning late 2007, the company said in a statement.

Sprint Nextel last August announced the selection of WiMAX (IEEE802.16e-2005) technology for a next generation wireless network which would utilise the company's extensive 2.5GHz spectrum assets, and formation of a unique business ecosystem designed to spur widespread adoption of WiMAX devices and services. T

The relationship with Nokia involves network infrastructure, mobile device and market development commitments. Under the agreement Nokia will:

• Be a major supplier to Sprint for WiMAX network infrastructure, including the market-leading Nokia Flexi WiMAX base transceiver stations which bring significant site and operating cost savings
• Develop and market WiMAX-enabled mobile devices in significant volumes, including multimedia computers and Internet tablets
• Jointly develop mobility services and applications to improve the customer experience
• Conduct co-marketing efforts to drive market development and support global adoption to help establish worldwide roaming