The broadband wireless industry trade association is asking the FCC to give quick approval to New Clearwire.
The Wireless Communications Association International filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission. It supports an application by Sprint Nextel and Clearwire to combine wireless broadband businesses to create a new company backed by Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
New Clearwire wants to build and operate a nationwide WiMax-based wireless broadband network in the 2.5 GHz band.
Association President Andrew Kreig stated, “WCA led the effort at the FCC and internationally to transform regulations for the 2.5 GHz band that New Clearwire will use to deploy its 4G next-generation services.”
The group thinks prompt approval will prompt faster introduction of 2.5 GHz mobile WiMax service, causing more new broadband competition.
“Prompt commission approval of the transaction will facilitate the commission’s efforts to introduce a wireless broadband pipe by advancing the core public interest objectives of the commission’s comprehensive rewrite of the 2.5 GHz bandplan and associated rules, and by accelerating the evolution and deployment of new WiMax-based wireless broadband services by New Clearwire and a host of other service providers,” it wrote.