Sprint sees 50 mln WiMax devices in next 3 years

TYSONS CORNER, Virginia (Reuters) - Sprint Nextel Corp. has received commitments from device makers to embed emerging wireless technology WiMax in 50 million devices in the next three years, an executive for Sprint said on Thursday.

Barry West, president of Sprint's high speed wireless unit, said the company has commitments from vendors "over the next three years to embed 50 million units in the United States," with WiMax connections.

Sprint has previously announced the top three mobile phone makers as technology partners for its plan to start offering services based on WiMax next year. These are Nokia , Samsung Electronics Co. and Motorola Inc..

(Reporting by Sinead Carew)