Sprint Nextel has decided Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Md. will be the first two markets in which it will work with Samsung Electronics to develop a Mobile WiMAX wireless broadband network.
The two companies agreed last August to collaborate on developing Sprint Nextel’s 4G wireless broadband initiative, which will use the Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e TDD OFDMA) standard.
Sprint Nextel said it is currently planning the network infrastructure for Washington, Baltimore, and northern Virginia. The company has already made calls using Sprint equipment. It plans to initiate commercial service in late 2007.
In support of the upcoming service, Samsung has committed to delivering six WiMAX-capable devices, including Ultra mobile PCs and personal media players. Samsung also plans to enter the WiMAX chipset business.