Clearwire and Cisco Form Alliance to Deliver 4G Mobile Internet Services for Consumers and Businesses
08:00 EDT Wednesday, May 13, 2009
KIRKLAND, Wash. & SAN JOSE, Calif. (Business Wire) -- Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR) and Cisco (NASDAQ:CSCO) announced today an alliance designed to enhance and expand CLEAR™ 4G mobile WiMAX services throughout the United States. Under terms of the agreement, Clearwire has selected Cisco as its national Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) core infrastructure provider, and Cisco has announced plans to build new mobile WiMAX devices for the CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX service for the consumer, small office or home office (SOHO), and small- and medium-sized business (SMB) markets.
As part of a multi-year network build-out plan with Cisco, the CLEAR 4G mobile WiMAX service will be available in major metropolitan areas across the United States. Clearwire's open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides substantive network capacity to deliver next-generation broadband access. In addition, Cisco is aiming to introduce its first mobile WiMAX device later this year. Clearwire currently provides mobile WiMAX services in Baltimore, Md., and in Portland, Ore., and plans to bring its CLEAR 4G service to more than 80 markets across the United States by the end of 2010.
“By teaming with Cisco, one of the world's most forward-looking IP network infrastructure providers, we're building a robust and cost-efficient next-generation network that's designed specifically for delivering rich broadband services,” said Scott Richardson, Chief Strategy Officer of Clearwire. “In addition, Cisco plans to develop WiMAX technology for end-user devices, which will give consumers and businesses more compelling ways to stay connected through our CLEAR 4G service.”
“Around the globe, mobile WiMAX providers continue to make great strides bringing 4G mobile Internet services to market, and we are pleased that Clearwire has selected Cisco to help untether its Internet customers across the United States while delivering high performance,” said Brett Galloway, senior vice president, wireless and security technology group of Cisco.
“Clearwire's ecosystem of partners, coupled with our all-IP next-generation network, will deliver a true mobile broadband experience,” said Ned Hooper, senior vice president, corporate development and consumer, of Cisco. “In addition, incorporating WiMAX into our products will help enable people to move freely throughout the United States, while maintaining continuous connectivity to personalized applications and services.”
The CLEAR 4G Network
The Cisco® Visual Networking Index (VNI) Mobile Forecast for 2008-2013 noted that a single high-end data phone today generates more data traffic than 30 basic-feature cell phones, while a single laptop air card generates more data traffic than 450 basic-feature cell phones. Cisco projects that mobile data traffic will increase a thousand-fold over the seven years from 2005 through 2012, with video being a significant component. This rapid growth provides the primary reason why Clearwire, enabled by Cisco, is building a data-centric 4G network across the United States.
Cisco will be the primary IP network solution provider for Clearwire's 4G network, enabling consumers and businesses in the United States to access Internet applications and enjoy a Connected Life at home, at work and on the move. Clearwire has selected and is in the process of the testing and certification of a Cisco IP NGN architecture that includes Cisco 7600 Series Internet routers, Cisco ONS 15454 and Cisco ONS 15310 platforms, Cisco ASA Firewalls, and the Cisco Service and Application Module for IP (SAMI) Home Agent.
With more than 80,000 nodes installed, the Cisco 7600 Series Routers are high-performance, intelligent and service-rich routers designed for deployment at the network edge, where performance, IP-enabled services, redundancy and fault resiliency are critical requirements. Cisco's powerful combination of intelligence and performance brings Clearwire closer to their customers by enabling a tailored experience with personalized services to their end users.
Cisco also recently announced that it is supplying mobile WiMAX infrastructure to Russian wireless ISP Scartel, Georgian mobile operator MagtiCom, and AsiaBell's mobile WiMAX service in central Kazakhstan.
CLEAR 4G Devices for a Connected Life
Future Cisco converged WiMAX- and Wi-Fi-enabled devices are targeted to include products from Cisco's world-class Linksys® by Cisco line of consumer routers. Cisco will also look to expand its WiMAX portfolio with the growth of the CLEAR 4G network across the United States. Cisco and Clearwire will jointly develop and implement go-to-market plans that will benefit from Cisco's extensive distribution channels and presence with consumers and businesses of any size, which will assist to enhance and expand CLEAR mobile WiMAX services throughout the United States.
WiMAX Innovation Network in Silicon Valley
In addition, Clearwire and Cisco recently announced their involvement in forming the WiMAX Innovation Network for developers, which will initially cover more than 20 square miles in Silicon Valley. This developers network will bring 4G wireless service to campuses of some of the world's leading technology innovators, including early participants Google Inc. and Intel Corporation. Cisco will provide core Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) core infrastructure equipment in support of the WiMAX Innovation Network. Service is expected to be available to developers by late summer of this year, giving them a head start on the Bay Area's commercial service launch, which is planned for 2010. Service will be provided free to a limited number of qualified developers for one year. Clearwire will provide WiMAX USB Modems for $49.99. To qualify, developers must register for Clearwire's developer program and describe the products or business ideas they wish to pursue. Interested developers can pre-register at innovation.clear.com.
Clearwire and Cisco are founding members of the Open Patent Alliance (OPA). The OPA is a consortium of companies formed in June 2008 to advance a competitive, open intellectual property rights model, thus stimulating a larger WiMAX industry that supports innovation through broader choice and lower equipment and service costs globally. WiMAX, an IEEE 802.16e standard, is an IP-based broadband wireless technology that provides low-cost, multi-megabit speed and greater throughput for the mobile Internet era of video-rich content, collaborative services and bandwidth-intensive applications.
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