Cisco lands deal to fit out Clearwire network

Cisco will provide the hardware for Clearwire's US WiMax network

Cisco Systems has secured a deal to provide network hardware for Clearwire's planned US WiMax network.

The company said that it had struck a deal to provide the IP Next-Generation Network, which will serve as the core for the new WiMax deployment. Cisco will also begin work on WiMax-enabled consumer devices.

Clearwire has been looking to establish a national broadband network in the US since it was acquired by Sprint in December 2008. The service is currently limited to a handful of test projects in cities such as Baltimore and Portland.

Wireless broadband is a growing market in the US, which has traditionally lagged behind other nations in the adoption of wireless networks due in large part to the country's physical size and dispersed population. Similar systems are planned for Europe.

Cisco and Clearwire hope to have the WiMax network established in some 80 cities throughout the US by the end of next year.

In addition to the infrastructure for the new network, Cisco is hoping to exploit the market by producing WiMax-enabled routers and networking equipment for its own customers.

"Clearwire's ecosystem of partners, coupled with our all-IP next-generation network, will deliver a true mobile broadband experience," said Ned Hooper, Cisco's senior vice president of corporate development and consumer business.

"In addition, incorporating WiMax into our products will help enable people to move freely throughout the US, while maintaining continuous connectivity to personalised applications and services."