Clearwire Readying Reseller Channels For 4G Expansion?
The 4G network will become a big focus as Sprint rolls out its first 4G-enabled smartphone on Clearwire's network. In an interview with Bloomberg, Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow said his company is in talks with retailers, consumer electronics makers and other potential channel partners to help it expand. In addition to those partners, Morrow tells Bloomberg that Clearwire will resell its network through carriers and service providers who lack the resources to build their own networks.
The move could mean a big business opportunities for smaller and mid-range service provider channel players looking to hitch their wagons to the promise of high-speed 4G networks.
Morrow didn't let slip the names of the partners with whom Clearwire is negotiating, but said that Clearwire has been approached by both potential partners and investors. The field is diverse, Morrow suggested, telling Bloomberg that "It's people in different fields and different industries that you wouldn't think would be knocking on our door."
Clearwire is majority-owned by Sprint, which earlier this week confirmed plans to release its first 4G-enabled smartphone. Sprint and Clearwire, which is supplying the networks on which the Sprint-carried HTC EVO 4G phone will run, have backed WiMax, the 4G technology based on an IEEE standard, 802.16.
With WiMax networks already up and running in several municipalities in the U.S., the moves have given Sprint and Clearwire a lead against rival carriers like Verizon and AT&T, which back the proprietary Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard and have touted 4G plans of their own. However, AT&T and Verizon have yet to confirm many details about handhelds or other devices.