Clearwire to Build Next Generation Wireless Network

Yesterday, the New York Times reported on a consortium of technology and telecomm companies that plan to build a high speed wireless network that will rival bandwidth speeds of residential DSL and cable networks today.  Such a network would spawn a whole new class of devices that could take advantage of mobile broadband. Apple’s iPhone is an example of a device available today that demonstrates consumers’ interest and appetite for mobile data access.

Among the investors in the new company, Clearwire, are Google, Sprint, Intel, Comcast and Time Warner. While these heavy hitters have deep pockets capable of building such a network, the Times reporter also points out that competing interests could prove fatal: Comcast and Time Warner wanting revenue beyond the home, Intel to provide the chips for these new devices, Sprint to get a leg up on wireless rivals Verizon and AT&T and Google wanting the ad revenue from increased traffic from mobile users. In addition, Google has offered Android to foster an open platform for mobile devices.

Time will tell if the Clearwire consortium will be successful building a new high speed data network nationwide. However, I think two years is far too aggressive a timetable. As the Times reporter notes, Google has failed in its attempt to offer a free wireless network in San Francisco. Also, municipal Wi-Fi efforts in other cities have either stalled or have been scaled back.

Mobile broadband will arrive in the U.S. as both telecomm and handset vendors are rapidly moving in this direction. As with the current wireless market, I doubt there will be one dominant technology.

Tags: Clearwire, Google, Intel, mobile broadband, Spring, WiMax