Will the $3.2B Sprint + Google+(et al…) mega-deal bring WiMax coast-to-coast in the USA?
Back on June 8 2008 we wrote about a deal announced by Sprint and Clearwire, that was the best news for WiMax imaginable: http://tinyurl.com/cjo59d
Money flow... the Sprint - Clearwire deal!
This is a Mega-deal between Sprint, Google, Clearwire, Comcast, Time Warner, and Intel, which was intended to create “the NEW Clearwire”, facilitating a nationwide rollout of 4G WiMax wireless broadband. At the time we pointed out that the equity and bond markets would need to remain healthy in order for this deal to happen. And that it would need to be cleared by regulators, not to mention lawsuits and appeals from NexTel dealers claiming breach of contract. There were some checks written, but Clearwire currently has only a minimal WiMax “footprint” in Portland, Baltimore, Boise, and Las Vegas. At least $3 to $5B more would be required to build out WiMax nationwide. Analysts don’t expect Clearwire to become profitable for six years. They will report a $688M loss for 2008.