Sprint Sets Stage for 2008 Xohm WiMAX Launch

(Business News & Technology News, 9 Jan 2008)

Demonstrating continuing progress with its next-generation wireless network initiative, Sprint Nextel has announced new Xohm mobile Internet business agreements involving web portal services and WiMAX network access devices. The company also named an advertising agency of record to help launch the Xohm brand in the United States.

A soft launch of Xohm mobile Internet service is underway with employees in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in preparation for commercial WiMAX service launch beginning later this year in select U.S. cities.

"Sprint is delivering on its Open Internet vision with exciting and differentiated WiMAX services," explained Barry West, President of Sprint's Xohm business unit. "The new service agreements and device commitments will help Xohm subscribers access, enjoy, store and secure personal digital and user-generated content while experiencing new device innovation."

Sprint is exhibiting Xohm WiMAX applications, access devices and showing WiMAX broadband technical demonstrations during the 2008 International CES show in Las Vegas. The company plans to enhance and safeguard the Xohm personal broadband experience as it expands its WiMAX services ecosystem.

Xohm Portal services partnerships
Amdocs, a provider of customer experience systems, has been awarded a multi-year agreement for software and services in support of the launch and operations of Xohm mobile Internet. This includes building and maintaining the Xohm Internet portal, customer relationship management, service activation and provisioning, and billing operations.

SwapDrive, a provider of online data backup, access and sharing services, is providing a hosted storage solution where Xohm subscribers can secure, organize, manage and access all their user-generated digital content though the Xohm portal from any device with a supported browser.

eTelecare Global Solutions, a provider of complex business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, is providing voice and e-support customer care services.

McAfee Inc., a dedicated security technology company, will implement online security products for PCs used on the Xohm WiMAX network.

WiMAX embedded device momentum
OQO, an industry pioneer in mobile personal computing, intends to embed WiMAX wireless capability in an ultra mobile PC (UMPC) in 2008.

ASUSTek of Taiwan, a provider of 3C (computer, communications, consumer electronics) total solutions, plans to produce a line of WiMAX-embedded devices for availability during 2008.

Zyxel Inc. and chip supplier Sequans have announced a collaboration to produce a WiMAX modem subscriber device for mobile Internet data and voice services, which will debut with the launch of commercial Xohm service.

Advertising agency partner selected
Soho Square, a WPP company, has been named advertising agency of record to help launch the Xohm brand in North America. As part of this relationship, Xohm will leverage resources from a wide range of WPP companies including Ogilvy and Mindshare/GroupM.

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