Sprint Nextel Readies Its Xohm Service for Baltimore
|
TOOLBOX
   Resize
COMMENT
 Discussion Policy
 CLOSE
Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Who's Blogging  |
Sprint Nextel today moves a step closer to rolling out its much-touted Xohm wireless service in Baltimore, as it finishes work building the network. The company plans an official kickoff Oct. 8.
Xohm is basically a high-speed data network using WiMax wireless technology. Sprint won't say what the speeds will be for its Baltimore network, nor will it outline prices. But it has pitched Xohm as a jumbo expansion of WiFi hot spots all around the city. It will allow a user to watch streaming video while traveling by bus across Baltimore. Location services will tell you your favorite pizza joint is just a few blocks away, and by the way, you might want to catch an outdoor concert at the Inner Harbor.
Sprint isn't saying much about the launch saving thunder for its unveiling next month. But a partner in the Xohm service, chipmaker Intel, is touting the launch as an important step toward giving consumers greater Internet access.
"This provides a broadband alternative and can help bridge the digital divide," said Sean Maloney, executive vice president at Intel, a partner in Sprint's nationwide plans to deploy WiMax with Clearwire.
Sprint's WiMax ambitions have faced a long uphill climb, with uncertainty over the project's future when former chief executive Gary Forsee resigned. Sprint's own troubles with massive customer departures and financial strains over the past year also put the project in doubt.
Yet the firm jump-started its WiMax dreams after announcing last May that it would merge with Clearwire, a Kirkland, Wash.-based WiMax company that was founded by wireless industry veteran Craig McCaw. Google is also a partner in the venture, with plans to use its Web applications and Android open source software platform for devices on the network.
Last week, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin said the commission would try to vote on the merger between Sprint and Clearwire -- seen as a new entrant to increase competition in wireless services -- by the end of the year.
-- Cecilia Kang
