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Clearwire Believes WiMax and LTE Should Merge

Mar 24, 2010, 4:38 PM by Eric M. Zeman

Speaking at the CTIA Wireless trade show, Clearwire CEO Bill Morrow indicated that in the long term, competing next-generation technologies WiMax and Long Term Evolution should merge into one network standard. WiMax and LTE do share a lot of common technical points and requirements. "With this overlap, shouldn't we all be thinking how can we bring it together?" he said. "We're not going to fight a war. We're going to provide our customers just what they want. Our spectrum is designed and built so we can add on LTE should we need to." Clear — and business partner Sprint — have picked WiMax over LTE as their next-generation technology and are currently building out a national network. Sprint's chief rivals, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have all picked LTE. Getting all four major wireless providers to use the same technology — whether it be WiMax or LTE — would be in the best interest of consumers.

Reuters »

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

SpykedVodka

Mar 24, 2010, 6:22 PM

Well...

This is actually good. WiMax vs LTE fight put aside, think about it...

Since Sprint is all ready building the network, it would make sense to just go with WiMax. With all the money the big 4 would be pouring into the network, I"m sure issues that people have about WiMax will be resolved or improved in time especially if all four carriers adopt it.

I'm totally for it. I think it would be the best and fastest means of deployment for 4G across the US.

Azeron

Ummmm....no. I don't think that would be a good idea for those who have built out trial LTE networks already. If there is a way to agree to make the two techs compatible then maybe but to allow the tail to wag the dog? I don't think so.

...

JeffdaBeat

Mar 24, 2010, 5:10 PM

Sounds like they are giving in?

I've said it before, Sprint made a bad decision in not going with the LTE standard that everyone else was going for. Where as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have the ability of establishing roaming agreements with each other and giving their customer a better experience, Sprint will be a lot like Nextel in that there will be no roaming...unless everyone settles on this where the two services are compatible.

I think Clearwire is saying this because they know WiMAX isn't the future of cellular technology. But we shall see what happens. I think if I could have it my way, I'd just wish everything was LTE. One technology, unlocked phones...it forces the networks to work on service and not providing handsets themselves...

Slammer

Sprint has said all along that if things didn't work with WiMax, they would switch. However, it is too early to tell. TMO and ATT have said they will go LTE, but no action has begun in building out LTE. Also, TMO is struggling with their own issues an...
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Phineas

Although I agree with the issue that Sprint is doing something outside of the norm just to be first may be a failure, has anyone heard this before:
Sprint went with WiMAX now because there isn't a standard for LTE in the 2.5 GHz range and would not b...
(continues)

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Azeron

It depends. The Metro LTE phone is going to use LTE for data and CDMA for voice. If Verizon does this then there is no voice roaming agreement with AT&T and T-Mobile. I believe Verizon should do this. Why build out an LTE network early and then ha...
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insider.

Mar 25, 2010, 5:11 PM

Of Course Sprint thinks WiMax and LTE should merge!

First, Sprint wanted to buck the trend and move in the 3G direction of EVDV from EVDO for faster 3G data speeeds....none of the other carriers agreed, so EVDO stayed the 3G standard.

Next, Sprint wants to buck the trend and go with Clear's WiMAX instead of LTE. None of the other carriers agreed, but Sprint soldiered on. Now, they have an epiphany! If the other carriers are all going with LTE....why can't we just make it all work together!

I do like that Sprint blazes their own trail. Best of luck to them to get it to all "work together". (iDen too!)

Kayslay34

Mar 24, 2010, 4:55 PM

Would be nice

Finally all carriers can have the same phones...

Disrespect

😎

Menno

That would be amazing. But we shall see.

Did you get my PM?

snowbdr89

Mar 24, 2010, 7:09 PM

i like the sound of wimax better!!

i think id rather stick with wimax!!! for one its available and lte is how far down the road? 🙂

evrodude

It's not available everywhere though, but only in select markets. Full deployment is not expected till around 2012 and LTE will be rolled out by then too.

Jonathanlc2005

Mar 24, 2010, 6:10 PM

thats f***ed up

why in the world would clear do that when they are and sure wimax was a good offer for consumers. now they say this in light of the HTC evo being annouced. now what clear? are you saying that this device will work for a year then will be good as my pre the next? answers please

jeryzkid22

There are more specs in the Evo to make it better than a pre than just the 4G.

Azeron

No. The wording was not that Wi-Max should fold up its tents and go away, but rather that the two standards should work together. So Wi-Max devices would not cease to work or be supported, but future devices might include Wi-Max AND LTE capabilities...
(continues)

bluecoyote

Mar 24, 2010, 4:53 PM

Mmhmmm

Nice.

Kayslay34

Ohhhhh WOW, a non iphone praise related comment from you!! I am impressed.

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