Sprint Reportedly Discussing 4G LTE Infrastructure Deal with LightSquared
If a report by Bloomberg turns out to be true, Clearwire may have good reason to begin worrying about their current network partnership with Sprint. As has already been speculated, with Sprint being just about the only carrier to back WiMAX as their 4G technology, a shift to LTE may not be out of the question. In fact, it is looking more likely than ever.
Sprint is reportedly in negotiations with LightSquared, a company that is currently repurposing satellite spectrum for earth-bound LTE use to deal out in a wholesale capacity. While questions remain about GPS interference and how such problems could delay LightSquared’s efforts, getting a national partner and hardware seller to back their network could be just the investment they need to get it rolling in earnest.
How Clearwire would eventually play into the dealings is unclear. We are sure Sprint wouldn’t abandon WiMAX altogether at first, but once their would-be LTE network is widespread, we wouldn’t be surprised if Clearwire gets the axe.
[via Engadget]