Sprint to carry hybrid CDMA, WiMAX handsets

Wireless provider Sprint Nextel will offer handsets that can switch from the existing CDMA network to the WiMAX mobile broadband network currently being built up across the United States by Sprint's recent partner, Clearwire. Apart from the handsets, Sprint will carry other WiMAX products and services, including the first hybrid CDMA/mobile WiMAX modem. All will be branded as Sprint 4G, replacing the existing Xohm brand name for the existing high-speed mobile broadband gear.

The first such hybrid modems for data use will launch in Baltimore, MD before the end of 2008, which is where Xohm, the first WiMAX network, launched in September. Currently, Sprint offers an Xohm-branded desktop modem, ExpressCard modem and a USB card modem in Baltimore that are mobile WiMAX capable.

Clearwire has not announced any of its own planned WiMAX devices, though it will offer the high-speed services branded under the Clear brand, according to last week's announcement. Sprint 4G and Clear will use the same WiMAX network, and may both be offered in the same markets. [viaRCR]