It’s official: Sprint and Nokia working together to deploy WiMAX

Sprint (NYSE: S) Nextel today announced that Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has been named a key infrastructure and consumer electronic device provider for its 4G WiMAX next generation mobility network. Nokia joins Intel, Samsung and Motorola (NYSE: MOT) in creating the advanced network infrastructure and access devices which will be designed to allow consumers, businesses and governments to experience high bandwidth mobile Internet connectivity at access speeds significantly higher than today’s wireless networks beginning late 2007.

Sprint Nextel last August announced the selection of WiMAX (IEEE802.16e-2005) technology for a next generation wireless network which would utilize the company’s extensive 2.5GHz spectrum assets, and formation of a unique business ecosystem designed to spur widespread adoption of WiMAX devices and services. This combination creates a time-to-market advantage for implementing the first large scale mobile WiMAX network expected to cover at least 100 million people by year-end 2008.

"Sprint Nextel is forming a world class ecosystem around mobile WiMAX technology to deliver unprecedented mobile broadband services to customers," said Barry West, Sprint Nextel president, 4G Mobile Broadband. "A company of Nokia’s global stature fortifies the foundation of Sprint’s mobility vision and will help make Sprint’s WiMAX multimedia services pervasive and indispensable for customers."

"Nokia shares Sprint Nextel’s mobile broadband vision and is proud to join its industry-leading WiMAX ecosystem," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, President and CEO, Nokia Corp. "WiMAX is an ideal technology for open Internet models in all major global markets. With Sprint’s leadership, the next generation network will offer innovative mobile broadband services, connecting people with content and technology in new and exciting ways."

Source: Nokia PR

Looks like the Wall Street Journal got it right. Good prediction!