Sprint, Clearwire and WiMax: Engagement back on?

Sprint Nextel and Clearwire are reportedly in talks to form a joint venture that would build a WiMax network.

According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the joint venture could be partially funded by Intel, Google and Best Buy.

In other words, there's a concerted effort to save WiMax and push the technology forward. But the effort--and funding--has to go beyond the limping Sprint and Clearwire, which can't foot the bill alone. Sprint and Clearwire teamed up in July on a WiMax network only to shelve plans in November.

The plan could be a win-win situation for multiple parties. Sprint could cut its capital spending plans as CEO Dan Hesse works to fix the company. Clearwire could wind up with Sprint's WiMax team and knowhow. And Intel would save a standard it has championed to no avail. If a joint venture could roll out a WiMax network, the standard wouldn't be included in Intel chips for naught.

The Journal notes that there's no guarantee that the joint venture will happen, but I'd rate the likelihood as fairly high. There are two many parties involved and too much WiMax vested interests to not make it happen.