Sprint may choose Nokia as WiMAX gear supplier

Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel Corp. is close to choosing Nokia (NYSE: NOK) Corp. as its third primary network-equipment supplier for its next-generation U.S. wireless network, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Sprint could announce its choice of Nokia as early as next week, the Journal quoted the sources as saying, but added that the deal is not final and could fall apart.

The company is planning to start its WiMAX network service in trial markets by the end of next year, and is planning what would be the largest network in the world, the paper said.

WiMAX allows Internet access and file downloads at very high speeds from laptops, phones or other mobile devices over greater distances than previous technologies.

Source: Reuters

Every time I think about WiMax this article pops into my head. I’m not too sure yet if the technology is mature enough. Yes I know Intel is backing it, but I need proof, real world proof that it’s installed in some country and working perfectly.