Hasta La Gadget!

A securities filing has just revealed that Sprint Nextel has acquired 50.8 percent of Clearwire Corp giving it control of the firm. The deal comes after buying out Eagle River Holdings’ stake in the telco. This comes just days after Sprint was subject to a sale of its own, to Japanese operator Softbank. The news is the latest twist in the up and down relationship between the two firms, and hints at a more assertive LTE strategy — given that it now has more say over Clearwire’s spectrum. Although it remains unclear how this will affect deals with other operators. If you really want to get in to the nitty-gritty, head on down to the Securities and Exchange Commission doc in the source link below.

[Thanks, James K]

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sprint

Sprint Nextel takes control of Clearwire after increasing stake to 50.8 percent originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 08:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Free 4G data carrier FreedomPop has launched in beta, offering cheap WiMAX for your iPad, tablet, or other gadgets, and the promise of extra if you coerce your friends into signing up too. The contract-free service kicks off with 500MB per month when you buy a USB modem or mobile hotspot – priced at $49 and $89 respectively – though FreedomPop will also be offering iPod touch and iPhone sleeves expected to ship in roughly a month’s time.

Those will be priced at $99 apiece, and the iPhone model includes a built-in battery. They share the 4G data connection – WiMAX, courtesy of Clearwire’s network – out via WiFi, just as with a regular mobile hotspot, which means other devices you might have can also get online when nearby.

Once you’ve chewed through your free 500MB, each subsequent gigabyte of data is priced at $10. There’s also a range of prepurchase plans for those who know they’ll want to use more, and which FreedomPop insists will save 20- to 40-percent on other carriers’ data deals. Another paid option will remove a speed cap.

Where it gets interesting is how you can earn more credit by taking part in promotions and referring friends. The exact amounts involved vary on the promotion – think along the lines of a few megabytes for watching an ad video, or 10MB per month if you refer a friend who goes on to use FreedomPop themselves – and the referral side of it is limited to 1GB each month.

Sign-ups are being handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and you’ll obviously need to be in a Clearwire-serviced area in order to use the 4G. FreedomPop expects to upgrade to LTE eventually, though that’s now believed to be taking place early in the new year rather than before the end of 2012, as previously suggested.

FreedomPop “free 4G” data service goes live is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Time Warner Cable has decided against entering the wireless business, and as such, it’s selling the 7.2 percent stake in Clearwire it picked up in 2008. Thanks to the dwindling value of the network provider, it’s $550 million investment is now only worth around $73 million. Current investors have first refusal on the shares, but it’s unlikely to find takers quickly, given that both Intel and Google dumped their interests at a steep loss and even Sprint has ceased to be its majority owner — although the company itself did tell The Wall Street Journal that it’s doing perfectly fine, but thanked it for asking, before quickly dashing off to “a thing.”

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, HD

Time Warner Cable abandons wireless business plans, sells 7.2 percent Clearwire stake originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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EarthLink has been laying low since its Philly-wide WiFi project failed all those years ago, but now it’s back in the limelight with Clearwire’s 4G network under-arm. The companies have struck a deal for EarthLink to access Clearwire’s WiMAX infrastructure, initially to offer wireless, in-home broadband. This is expected to launch in early 2013, with mobile and small business markets being future goals. An LTE network is also in the pipeline, don’t forget, and when it goes live, EarthLink is likely to expand the agreement to cover it. The ISP is obviously putting its eggs in the 4G basket, because no one wants wires anymore, do they?

Continue reading EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network

Filed under: Wireless, Networking, Internet, Mobile

EarthLink inks deal with Clearwire to use its 4G WiMAX network originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re not in the habit of entering the dry world of corporate debt notes, but Sprint’s latest financial release might disguise a juicy bit of news. There’s a rumor in the business press that Dish Network might have bought around $400 million of Clearwire’s debt — helping relieve the pressure on Sprint, which has been keeping its subsidiary alive on handouts. Unsurprisingly, no-one’s commenting on the rumors, although Dish CEO Joseph Clayton did say he was open to a partnership (or acquisition) with Sprint / Clearwire late last year. If true, it could signal that it’s getting ready for a fight against AT&T — or maybe it just wanted to throw Dan Hesse a bone.

Continue reading Dish Network rumored to have bought Clearwire’s $400 million debt in secret transaction

Filed under: Wireless

Dish Network rumored to have bought Clearwire’s $400 million debt in secret transaction originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 07:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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