Sprint Nextel launches mobile WiMAX in Baltimore
Xohm service backed by pair of devices, several pricing options
September 29 2008 - 12:57 pm ET | Dan Meyer | RCR Wireless News
The XOHM ExpressCard, SWC-E100 by Samsung is selling for $60.
Following years of hype, mobile WiMAX from a major provider is now available commercially in the United States. Sprint Nextel Corp. announced that its Xohm service is live in the Baltimore area, and the carrier plans to expand to additional markets later this year.
The initial launch is backed by a pair of wireless devices: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.’s Express card for laptop computers at $60 and a Zyxel desktop modem for $80. Sprint Nextel said both devices will provide download speeds of between 2 and 4 megabits per second, which is roughly twice the speed provided by current cellular-based data services.
The carrier also released a number of pricing options for the service. Customers can sign up for 24 hours of access for $10, purchase a $25 monthly home Internet plan, or an “on-the-go” monthly service for $30. Sprint Nextel also announced a $50 “Pick 2 for Life” monthly plan that covers two different WiMAX devices. The plans do not require a contract and are similar to pricing models used for commercial Wi-Fi services.
Sprint Nextel’s Xohm Web site notes that service will soon expand to Washington, D.C., and Chicago, with Dallas-Ft. Worth; Boston; Providence, R.I.; and Philadelphia “in the works.” Sprint Nextel had planned to cover 100 million potential customers by the end of this year, but those plans have been pushed back following the carrier’s on-again, off-again, on-again relationship with Clearwire as well as Sprint Nextel’s own financial and operational challenges.
The Xohm launch comes just ahead of an expected closing of a partnership between Sprint Nextel, Clearwire Corp. and a handful of investors that will see the formation of a new Clearwire staked with launching mobile WiMAX services in markets across the country.
October 2, 2008 04:18 pm
This message is in regards to DMM, before you make comments on that you might want to get your story straight. 1) Nextel was a thriving company and make millions into the billions profit each year...Sprint was not they were losing money each year 2)The only reason Sprint keeps Nextel around is because its still turning a profit for them unlike its Sprint brand. So maybe you right on the downward spiral of Sprint, but its not because of Nextel... its because of the way no one in the whole company (Sprint) even knew what they were buying, the corporate layout of Nextel or even the technology of Nextel when they bought it. Have a great day!
September 29, 2008 01:40 pm
I doubt the other carriers will suffer as Sprint has, as the primary reason for Sprint's downfall was purchasing the Nextel network. All the other carriers have been acquiring networks with compatible technology, and spending money upgrading and maintaining them, which Sprint hasnt done. Selling Nextel will shrink them but put them in a better financial position to grow again. Need some pain to gain. I think Sprint will turn the corner after dumping Nextel.
September 29, 2008 01:40 pm
This will continue the rise of Sprint/Nextel. Within the next 2 years the other carriers will be going through what Sprint just went through with the constant media bashing!! As the climb continues I hope they remember how certain sources pounded on them!!!