- Sprint Nextel selects WiMAX as next generation 4G technology platform
- Unparalleled spectrum coverage creates first-to-market position for Sprint Nextel
- Nationwide advanced wireless broadband network expected to cover 100 million people in 2008
NEW YORK − 8 August 2006 – Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) today announced its
plans to develop and deploy the first fourth generation (4G) nationwide
broadband mobile network. The 4G wireless broadband network will use the mobile
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) IEEE 802.16e-2005
technology standard.
Working together with Intel, Motorola and Samsung, Sprint Nextel will develop a
nationwide network infrastructure as well as mobile WiMAX-enabled chipsets that
will support advanced wireless broadband services for computing, portable
multimedia, interactive and other consumer electronic devices. These efforts
are intended to allow Sprint Nextel customers to experience a nationwide mobile
data network that is designed to offer faster speeds, lower cost, and greater
convenience and enhanced multimedia quality.
The Sprint Nextel 4G mobility network will use the company’s extensive 2.5GHz
spectrum holdings, which cover 85 percent of the households in the top 100 U.S.
markets - the most of any wireless carrier in any single spectrum band. To
access that network, Sprint Nextel will work with Intel, Motorola and Samsung
to incorporate WiMAX technology for advanced wireless communications and help
make chipsets widely available for new consumer electronics devices, connecting
consumers to the Internet and to each other while providing them with the
flexibility to do what they want or need to do regardless of time or place.
“None of us today can envision our lives without wireless connectivity or the
Internet,” explained Gary Forsee, president and chief executive officer of
Sprint Nextel. “Sprint Nextel is taking a major step forward by linking the
incredible potential of these two cornerstones of daily communications. We’ll
give customers the power to harness business information and personal
entertainment easily and inexpensively -- and in ways that they will one day
wonder how they lived without.
This announcement is another step in Sprint Nextel’s broadband mobility
leadership, and we expect to establish a first-to-market next generation
network advantage. We will have a unique broadband capability for meeting the
growing access and mobile Internet needs of businesses, governments and
consumers when and where they want.”
In working together with Intel, Motorola, and Samsung, Sprint Nextel has the
experience, network infrastructure, spectrum and distribution channels to make
4G mobility services pervasive and indispensable for customers. The company’s
deployment plans target a launch of the advanced wireless broadband services in
trial markets by the end of 2007 with plans to deploy a network that reaches as
many as 100 million people in 2008. Sprint Nextel plans to expand mobile WiMAX
network coverage thereafter.
The company will continue to invest in and offer access to its current wireless
and Sprint Power VisionSM mobile broadband networks to serve
customer communications needs today and into the future. As evidenced by its
strong data results and expanding 3G broadband network, Sprint Nextel continues
its innovation and leadership in driving mobile data.
New Business Model
Sprint Nextel has created a unique business model designed to foster the rapid
deployment and adoption of mobile WiMAX technology in the United States and
abroad. Sprint Nextel is expecting to invest $1 billion in 2007 and between
$1.5 billion and $2 billion in 2008 relating to the 4G mobile broadband
network. The WiMAX technology to be deployed in the network is expected to
offer a cost-per-megabit and performance advantage that reflects a substantial
improvement in the comparable costs for the current 3G mobile broadband
offerings.
Commitments from Intel, Motorola and Samsung in the areas of market
development, mobile WiMAX devices and other contributions to Sprint Nextel’s
core business are expected to accelerate Sprint Nextel's goal of deploying
services and market adoption. Motorola and Samsung will also support Sprint's
current and CDMA/EV-DO network technologies by creating multimode devices that
will support services on both the 4G network and the 3G network in areas
outside the planned 4G coverage, and will provide voice service using the core
3G network. The 4G broadband network will offer a complementary, high-bandwidth
service driven by data centric devices.
- Intel, one of the early members of the WiMAX Forum and one of the key contributors to the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard, will deliver next generation WiMAX solutions for Centrino Mobile Technology and next generation computing devices. Intel will bring its extensive history in device-to-network verification as well as marketing expertise to expose customers to the breadth of new WiMAX capabilities and services.
- Motorola has been a long-standing proponent of WiMAX and will offer Sprint Nextel both single and multimode devices designed to enable seamless mobility for users, while playing a major role in its WiMAX infrastructure roll-out. Since Motorola is the exclusive supplier of iDEN technology as well as a major supplier of CDMA and EV-DO Revision A technology, it can offer a complete end-to-end solution (from radio access network equipment to both single and multimode mobile devices) and is uniquely positioned to expand the seamless mobility experience into the wireless mobile broadband market.
- Samsung Telecommunications America will be a primary Mobile WiMAX infrastructure supplier to Sprint Nextel and will also deliver dual-mode devices supporting Mobile WiMAX and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, designed to enable Sprint’s Mobile WiMAX users to utilize Sprint Nextel’s existing 3G network resources. With its installation of networks in South Korea and other markets, Samsung Electronics is the first to commercially deploy Mobile WiMAX and with its alliance with Sprint Nextel will bring this global expertise to North America. Samsung is the global leader in delivering Mobile WiMAX technologies and offers Sprint a total solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics focused on Mobile WiMAX and dual-mode WiMAX/CDMA services delivery.
Sprint Nextel’s long-term goal is to have a broad range of mobile WiMAX-enabled
chipsets and modules and an array of portable data and consumer electronics
devices available from multiple vendors which work seamlessly among Sprint’s
network offerings. To that end, Sprint Nextel and other leading consumer
electronic companies are planning to form a strategic marketing and product
alliance for the purpose of introducing innovative consumer electronic devices
and multimedia content solutions using Sprint's 4G mobile WiMAX network.
“Sprint Nextel has built its success on being a pioneer – beginning with its
rollout of the first nationwide digital fiber optic network 20 years ago,” said
Sean Maloney, executive vice president of Intel. “With the choice of mobile
WiMAX for its 4G mobile broadband technology, Sprint Nextel again helps move
the U.S. to the forefront of technology innovation and competitiveness. Sprint
Nextel’s decision confirms Intel’s belief that WiMAX is the wireless technology
of choice to deliver affordable broadband access. Intel is pleased to
work with Sprint Nextel, Motorola and Samsung to bring the promise of mobile
broadband and WiMAX to consumers nationwide.”
Motorola Chairman and CEO, Ed Zander, stated, “We are excited that Sprint
Nextel has selected WiMAX, and we believe that mobile WiMAX is a perfect choice
for a visionary company like Sprint Nextel. Today’s announcement is another
milestone in Motorola’s focused strategy to continue to expand and grow our
wireless broadband business and advance our vision of seamless wireless
broadband mobility. We expect that this decision from one of America’s leading
carriers and the largest holder of 2.5GHz spectrum will influence the adoption
of mobile WiMAX by other carriers worldwide.”
KiTae Lee, president of Samsung Electronics’ Telecommunication Network
Business, stated, "I believe Sprint Nextel’s decision to deploy Mobile
WiMAX as the 4G network technology will set a milestone in the U.S.
telecommunication industry’s history and contribute to further advancements in
wireless technology. Mobile WiMAX has the fastest data transfer rate among the
existing wireless technologies and is based on all-IP technology. Mobile
WiMAX-based services will create a new paradigm shift in wireless services and
improve consumer lifestyles. I believe that Sprint Nextel will successfully
provide this mobile WiMAX technology based service and begin a new revolution
in mobile broadband services nationwide.”
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing
mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is
widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative
technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading
mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie
capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For
more information, visit www.sprint.com.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products
and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional
information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.
About Samsung Telecommunications America 
Samsung Telecommunications America, L.P., a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and
telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, see
STA's website at www.samsungwireless.com.
About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor,
telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2005
parent company sales of US$56.7 billion and net income of US$7.5 billion.
Employing approximately 128,000 people in over 120 offices in 57 countries, the
company consists of five main business units: Digital Appliance Business,
Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business and
Telecommunication Network Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing
global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory
chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com
Source: Motorola press release
