Cisco, Clearwire announce WiMax partnership

Clearwire and Cisco today announced a deal that would make Cisco the main supplier of infrastructure equipment that will power the new WiMax technology, called Clear 4G, across the United States.

In addition, Cisco will work to introduce the first mobile WiMax device later this year.

The companies didn't provide financial terms of the partnership or details about new products. But Cisco told CNET that the devices will be sold under the Linksys brand and are expected to be introduced later this year.

Cisco has been working on WiMax radio products for some time, building equipment that delivers broadband service to remote areas where traditional broadband is unavailable. A company executive told CNET that the company will continue to work on WiMax radio equipment and that the Clearwire deal is only to supply Internet infrastructure and devices for Clearwire.

A competing technology called LTE, or Long Term Evolution, is expected to power the 4G networks for AT&T Wireless and Verizon Wireless.

Previous coverage: Mobile showdown at CTIA: WiMax vs LTE, apps and more

WiMax saved: Sprint, Clearwire form joint venture; Google, Intel among backers

Beyond mobile broadband, WiMAX is about blowing up the wireless business model