Silicon Valley software developers to get WiMAX network soon
WiMAX, the next-generation technology that will replace aging Wi-Fi networks with smarter, faster Internet access, is slated to launch in the Bay Area in 2010. But a small cadre of software developers will be able to access the network much sooner.
A twenty square mile network, dubbed the WiMAX Innovation Network, “will be announced in the coming weeks”, we learned from Clearwire today. Setting up a network in the Bay Area has proven harder than expected…. Continue Reading
Roundup: Street View blinded, curtain to rise on new PS3 and more
Here’s the latest action:
It’s a pirate’s life for Asia — A new study indicates that software piracy is growing rapidly in Asia where the number of computer owners continues to skyrocket.
Street View’s prying eyes — Google must reshoot footage for its maps Street View tool in Japan after receiving complaints that the cameras were mounted high enough to see over residents’ fences. Earlier this week, the search company was banned from collecting images in Greece, also due… Continue Reading
Will WiMax get a boost from broadband infrastructure spending?
The $789 economic stimulus bill could be a boon for WiMax, the wireless broadband and next-generation cell phone technology that is supported by some big tech giants.
Sean Maloney, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Intel, said in a call this week with reporters that WiMax companies would likely be eligible to receive some of the $7 billion set aside to subsidize broadband for rural and inner city communities.
That’s important to struggling… Continue Reading
Intel writes off $950M on Clearwire investment
Intel announced today it expects to lose between $1.1 to $1.2 billion on its investments, a huge increase from the previous estimate of a $50 million loss. Most of that loss comes from Intel’s investment in Clearwire, which created a joint venture with Sprint to build a national mobile network using Intel’s WiMax technology. Clearwire’s stock has dropped more than 70 percent since the deal was announced in May, resulting in a $950 million “impairment… Continue Reading
Roundup: Yahoo cuts data retention, Sprint pushing WiMax and more
Here’s the latest action:
Yahoo cuts data retention to 90 days — The search company’s new policy will likely push Google and Microsoft toward similar reductions in the amount of time they keep user data.
Sprint plans first WiMax device for Dec. 21 — The first device that will work both on Clearwire’s growing WiMax network and Sprint’s existing network infrastructure will go on sale in time for Christmas. Clearwire previously released cards that worked only with WiMax.
California pushes… Continue Reading
Interview with Arvind Sodhani: Intel Capital isn’t backing off on venture
Arvind Sodhani is one of those investors who isn’t blinking. But he’s not your typical venture capitalist. Sodhani is the chief of Intel Capital, the venture arm of the world’s biggest chip maker. He just closed on a billion-dollar investment in Clearwire, a provider of WiMax broadband wireless service that has raised $3.2 billion total to create a next-generation cell phone network through a merger with Sprint. That’s just one of many bets Sodhani is… Continue Reading
Why it’s too early to call the WiMax deal a disaster
Updated
Well, TechCrunch’s Erick Schonfeld certainly isn’t pulling his punches. Last week, while most reporters (including me) were writing enthusiastically about the new partnership between Sprint and Clearwire to build a mobile wireless network using WiMax technology, Schonfeld slammed the deal as “a disaster waiting to happen.” Then he followed up on Friday with even more reasons why the deal is a bad idea.
So did I jump the gun? Was I (along with Eric Schmidt, chief… Continue Reading
Q&A: Intel Capital’s Arvind Sodhani explains Clearwire-Sprint deal
Intel Capital chief Arvind Sodhani talked with VentureBeat today about why the world’s largest chip maker participated as an investor in the $12 billion Clearwire-Sprint deal. Intel, along with Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks invested a combined $3.2 billion into the new company. Intel’s share of that was $1 billion, which is no surprise since Intel has been the biggest proponent of WiMax, the long-range wireless Internet technology that the combined… Continue Reading
It’s official: Sprint teams up with Clearwire for wireless partnership
Sprint and Clearwire have confirmed yesterday’s reports that they’re teaming up to create a new wireless broadband company. The new company, which will also be called Clearwire, should be the first to create a national mobile network using Intel’s WiMax technology, delivering broadband Internet at a much higher speed than existing 3G networks.
Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner and cable company Bright House Networks will invest $3.2 billion in this new company, while wireless veteran John… Continue Reading
Roundup: Sprint to announce a big wireless partnership, Sun previews JavaFX and more
Here’s the latest action:
Sprint and Clearwire to join forces for WiMax venture – The telecom companies, along with Comcast, Time Warner, Google and Intel, are about to announce a $3.2 billion investment in a new wireless Internet company using WiMax technology, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that the new company, which will also be called Clearwire, is valued at more than $12 billion. It will launch two years ahead of competing… Continue Reading
Roundup: Motorola splits up, cable giants back WiMax venture, and more
Here’s the latest action (updated):
Struggling cell phone manufacturer Motorola announced it would split itself into two different companies. Under pressure from activist investor Carl Icahn, the company will divide itself into a cell phone company and a company with broadband and mobility equipment operations. The latter firm would create infrastructure equipment for wireless networks as well as build television set-top boxes. The company had said in January that it would consider a breakup, mainly since… Continue Reading
Roundup: Google and Sprint, VC tax, future of VCs, and more
1) Rumor: Google to buy Sprint?
2) The U.S. House of Representatives passes VC tax
3) Berkeley Bionics brings exoskeletons to market
4) Fox Interactive Media may start its own ad network
5) Railpower Technologies to steam on, for now
6) Zuckerberg, speaking grandly
7) Are Facebook’s ads illegal in New York?
Murdoch calls Facebook a phonebook
9) Sprint and WiMax startup Clearwire have ended plans to form a joint venture
Rumor: Google to buy Sprint? – The rumor surfaced yesterday, here, suggesting that… Continue Reading
Bring back the Dutch Auction IPO
Broadband router company BigBand went public today, and its stock rose 33 percent on its first day of trading, which everyone said was a good thing.
Scott Sweet, managing director of IPOBoutique.com said it was “particularly impressive.”
But it means the company could have sold its shares at a price say, 25 percent higher — and still have given public investors a decent pop of a few percentage points in reward for buying the new stock. In… Continue Reading
Roundup: March Madness, Starbucks start-ups, Zannel and more
Here’s the latest action:
March Madness alerts — Palo Alto mobile search company 4INFO will send you an alert in the final minutes of any of NCAA March Madness game that looks like it could be an upset. It sends final scores too. To sign up, text TOURNEY ALERTS to 44636, or signup at the company’s site.
Coffee-house entrepreneurs — The SF Chronicle has a piece about the SF entrepreneurs who launch companies at coffee houses, exploiting the WiFi… Continue Reading
Wall Street welcomes WiMax, Clearwire has $600M IPO
Clearwire, the company that is building WiMax, a new wireless technology boosts the performance of wireless broadband, has raised $600 million in its initial public offering. It begins trading today.
Clearwire, of Kirkland, Wash., reported a net loss of $240 million last year, largely because it is building out its WiMax network, and has yet to start selling it. It remains a big risk. Sprint-Nextel plans to roll out a competing WiMax network next year, and… Continue Reading
If WiMax co. Clearwire wants to go public, well, then MetroBridge wants to as well
Vancouver WiMax broadband service provider MetroBridge Networks plans to finish raising a $3.1 million third round of funding in the next couple of weeks, and is preparing an IPO for Spring, the company tells VentureWire (sub required).
This is eye-opening, because money-losing Cleawire just announced its IPO plans, and MetroBridge’s chief executive is even saying next year will likely see a consolidation in the industry. There’s no sign this industry will be profitable anytime soon.
(This story… Continue Reading
Clearwire files for $400M IPO, despite huge and growing losses — another Vonage?
Clearwire, the company that is trying to roll out unproven WiMax broadband technology, has filed for an IPO, even though it is more and more money as it builds out its technology.
WiMax differs from WiFi in that it has much longer ranges — as much as 10 miles vs. WiFi’s reach of a few hundred feet. Intel, one of Clearwire’s main backers so far, wants to us this to technology to allow someone to get… Continue Reading