Investing in the future of the open Internet
Posted By Larry Alder, Product
Manager
As
you may have read, Google, Comcast, Intel Capital, Time Warner
Cable, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Equity Partners have
entered into an agreement to invest $3.2 billion in a new wireless
broadband company. The new company will combine Clearwire's
existing consumer WiMAX business with Sprint's broadband
infrastructure and 2.5 GHz spectrum to create a new nationwide
wireless broadband network. In addition to our $500 million
contribution as part of the investment group, we will provide
search and applications to the network's users, and will work
with Clearwire to offer additional services and applications. This
will include jointly creating an open Internet protocol to work
with mobile broadband devices (including
>Android-powered devices) and implementing other
open network practices and policies.
We believe that the new network will provide wireless consumers
with real choices for the software applications, content and
handsets that they desire. Such freedom will mirror the openness
principles underlying the Internet and enable users to get the most
out of their wireless broadband experience. As we've supported
open standards for spectrum and wireless handsets, we're
especially excited that Clearwire intends to build and maintain a
network that will embrace important openness features. In
particular, the network will: (1) expand advanced high speed
wireless Internet access in the U.S., (2) allow consumers to
utilize any lawful applications, content and devices without
blocking, degrading or impairing Internet traffic and (3) engage in
reasonable and competitively-neutral network management.
We're looking forward to seeing the Clearwire network take
shape and begin to deliver benefits to users, and we will continue
to look for new partners to promote openness and bring compelling
applications and services to end users. There's more
information on Clearwire and the transaction on
site.
