Verizon has offered Clearwire up to $1.5bn to buy its wireless spectrum, news has leaked, with Big Red hoping to use the airwaves to broaden its own 4G deployment. Word of the proposed deal broke on Friday after a regulatory filing by Clearwire that kept the identify of its potential suitor anonymous; however, as first reported by the WSJ, sources claim that buyer is in fact Verizon.
The purchase of a controlling stake in Sprint's business here in the United States has become a bit of a circus when it comes to companies stepping in with complaints here in the spring of 2013. The plan was first tipped back in October of 2012 and confirmed that same month with a 70% stake in Sprint being agreed upon for $20.1 billion dollars, purchased by Japan-based mobile carrier Softbank. Since that announcement, we've seen protests from AT&T, the Dish Network, and now the real deal US Department of Justice - it appears that there are going to be some delays, needless to say.
This week the folks at Dish Network have made it clear that they're going to go hardcore with their business tactics when it comes to attaining Clearwire - their methods including hitting the competition where it hurts: Sprint's merger with Softbank. Several months ago Softbank made a bid to attain US-based Sprint while Sprint made a bid to attain Clearwire, their ability to purchase Clearwire being based on they themselves being purchased by Softbank. Because Dish Network sees Softbank's acquisition of Sprint as contingent on Sprint's future purchase of Clearwire, they've filed for the whole stack of cards to come tumbling down.
Sprint will acquire 100-percent of mobile broadband network Clearwire in a deal worth $2.2bn, the carriers have confirmed, with Clearwire valued at around $10bn in total and Sprint planning to use the extra spectrum for new LTE roll-out. The deal, which had been rumored for some weeks, sees Clearwire's board accept $2.97 per each share Sprint does not currently own; the carrier was already a majority shareholder in Clearwire.
Sprint has made a $2.1bn offer for Clearwire, hoping to snatch up the remaining shares of the WiMAX carrier so as to gain full control over its valuable wireless spectrum holdings. The deal, revealed in an SEC filing, would see Sprint pay $2.90 per share, with 48.3-percent of the overall shares still out of its control; others with a stake in Clearwire include Intel and Comcast.
Sprint and wireless broadband provider Clearwire have been working together for several years. Sprint currently owns about 51% of Clearwire and has eyes to own the whole enchilada. Rumors have circulated for months now that Sprint was in negotiations to purchase all of Clearwire.
Huawei is a Chinese company that offers all sorts of hardware for mobile networks and other network systems. The Chinese company has been at the center of spying allegations made by the US government suggesting that Huawei may be allowing the Chinese government access to American network systems. Huawei continues to strenuously object to these claims and has offered access to its source code in an attempt to prove it's not facilitating Chinese spying on America.
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.
EarthLink is a name I haven't thought of since the mid-90s when dial-up Internet access was all I could get. EarthLink has announced plans to offer fixed and wireless 4G broadband access to customers. The company will offer the 4G mobile and fixed access over the Clearwire WiMax network.
Most wireless carriers are doing all they can to cut back on data use or charge customers more. Karma has a different way of doing things with its 4G mobile hotspots. You get free data on your account for sharing your 4G access with other people. Karma gives 100 MB of free 4G data to everyone.
Clearwire continues to try and bolster its LTE network in the United States, but is approaching things from a fresh angle with its latest announcement. The wireless provider is partnering with Qualcomm in order to add support for Band 41 to multi-mode LTE chipsets. That’s good news for those hoping to maintain LTE connectivity across the US, as devices will potentially be compatible with a wide range of LTE bands across multiple networks.
Clearwire has announced the first round of cities that will be receiving its LTE service when it launches in early 2013. A total of 31 will be served, including New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle. Clearwire say that whey will be targeting areas that have the most demand for LTE service, as well as locations where it can accommodate the necessary capacity resources.