Clearwire, the broadband wireless services provider founded by Craig McCaw, secured $900 million in funding to accelerate its development and deployment of portable and mobile WiMAX networks based on the IEEE 802.16e-2005 standard.
The deal includes a $600 million investment from Intel Capital, its largest to date, and Motorola’s acquisition of Clearwire’s subsidiary NextNet Wireless, which supplies OFDM-based non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wireless broadband infrastructure equipment. Financial terms of this acquisition were not disclosed.
Some highlights:
- Motorola Ventures is participating in Clearwire’s financing round.
- Motorola will supply wireless broadband equipment for Clearwire’s existing and future networks globally.
- To hasten the proliferation of mobile WiMAX in PC clients, Intel will work to enable the inclusion of WiMAX chipsets in next generation mobile computing platforms.
- All three parties will contribute significant research and development resources to evolve NextNet Wireless’ pre-WiMAX technologies.
“Collaborating with Intel and Motorola significantly advances our vision for fixed, portable and mobile wireless broadband services,” said Craig McCaw, founder, chairman, and co-CEO of Clearwire. “Wireless broadband networks will enable the creation and delivery of differentiated services and applications that enhance the way people communicate and experience the Internet.”http://www.clearwire.comhttp://www.motorola.com
- In April 2006, Clearwire began offering a residential VoIP service over its network. The service was jointly developed with Bell Canada. Features include a local phone number within Clearwire’s market, unlimited local and long-distance calling within the U.S. and Canada, competitive international calling rates, call forwarding, enhanced call forwarding, caller ID, voice mail, voice mail to e-mail, three-way calling, caller blocking and international call blocking. The first market launch is in Stockton, California.
- Clearwire is currently providing wireless Internet service in 27 metro markets, covering more than 200 cities and towns in Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin in the United States, as well as Ireland, Belgium, Denmark (under the Clearwire name with Danske Telecom) and Mexico (via MVSNet).
