14 DAY TRIAL // Clearwire Corporation announced on Wednesday a partnership with Cisco, aimed at the enhancement and expansion of CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX services in the United States. According to the agreement, Cisco will become Clearwire's national Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) infrastructure provider, while Cisco stated that it planned to come up with new mobile WiMAX devices that would work on the CLEAR 4G mobile network, aimed at consumer, small office or home office (SOHO) markets, as well as at the small- and medium-sized business (SMB) segments.
In addition, the CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX service is expected to become available in major metropolitan areas in the United States, as part of the network build-out plan with Cisco. The open all-IP network from Clearwire will be complemented with spectrum holdings and will deliver the necessary network capacity for providing next-generation broadband access. For the time being, Clearwire's mobile WiMAX services are available in Baltimore, Md., and in Portland, Ore., and are expected to be extended in more than 80 markets in the country by the end of next year. In addition, Cisco also announced that its first mobile WiMAX device was expected to be launched later in 2009.
“By teaming with Cisco, one of the world's most forward-looking IP network infrastructure providers, we're building a robust and cost-efficient next-generation network that's designed specifically for delivering rich broadband services,” said Scott Richardson, chief strategy officer of Clearwire. “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 CLEAR 4G service.”
According to Brett Galloway, senior vice president, wireless and security technology group of Cisco, 4G mobile Internet services are coming to the market around the world from different mobile WiMAX providers. At the same time, he also says that the company is pleased to have been selected to help Clearwire “untether its Internet customers across the United States while delivering high performance.”
Ned Hooper, senior vice president, corporate development and consumer, Cisco, commented, “Clearwire's ecosystem of partners, coupled with our all-IP next-generation network, will deliver a true mobile broadband experience. 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.”