The Wireless Communications Association International (WCA) today filed comments with the FCC in support of the application by Sprint (News - Alert) Nextel Corporation and Clearwire Corporation to combine their next-generation wireless broadband businesses to create a new company. 

 

New Clearwire will be the name of the new company, and it plans to build and manage the first nationwide WiMAX (News - Alert)-based wireless broadband network in the 2.5 GHz band in the U.S. in cooperation with supporters. Those backing up the project include Intel Corporation through Intel (News - Alert) Capital, Google, Comcast Corporation, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks.

 

“WCA is proud to be part of multi-year regulatory, standards and business development efforts that set the stage for this landmark industry deal,” stated Andrew Kreig, WCA president. 

 

“As the trade association for the broadband wireless industry, WCA led the effort at the FCC (News - Alert) and internationally to transform regulations for the 2.5 GHz band that New Clearwire will use to deploy its 4G next generation services.  In cooperation with leaders of the new company, WCA advocated to regulators, standards bodies and the financial community for standards-based broadband wireless technology,” Kreig added.

 

WCA stated that the quicker the transaction is approved, the faster 2.5 GHz mobile WiMAX service can be introduced. This deployment will create new broadband competition across the country, with consumers being the ultimate beneficiaries.

 

The proposed transaction will alsodrive the growth and development of smaller and mid-sized WiMAX operators, such as WCA members Xanadoo Corporation, Sioux Valley Wireless and DigitalBridge Communications (News - Alert). 

 

“Success for these and other similarly situated operators will be tied directly to the reduced costs and introduction of innovative services made possible by introduction of mobile WiMAX on a national scale,” WCA said.

 

Representing the worldwide wireless broadband industry, Wireless Communications Association International currently has 200 member companies include leading carriers, vendors and system integrators on six continents. As the global voice of the wireless broadband industry, WCA is an established provider in government relations, technology standards, business development and industry event organization.