Sprint launches its first WiMax market
NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Sprint Nextel Corp (S.N) announced a one-market launch of Xohm, its next generation high-speed wireless data service based on WiMax, with pay-per-day options as well as monthly service fees.
The Monday launch in Baltimore, Maryland, comes before Sprint's expected completion in the fourth quarter of a venture with Clearwire Corp (CLWR.O) to build a larger network based on WiMax, which promises to blanket entire cities with wireless Internet access.
Sprint, which has been working to stem customer losses from its existing services, said consumers in Baltimore would be able to try out the service for $10 a day or pay $25 a month for home access or $30 a month for mobile service.
The company, which envisions consumers each owning multiple gadgets that can connect to its WiMax network, is also offering a $50 a month service for coverage for two WiMax devices.
The first devices supporting the service include Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) connection cards for $59.99 that could be slotted into a computer.
A Nokia (NOK1V.HE) wireless Web tablet will be available later this year along with laptop computers with built-in WiMax support and a device that supports access to Sprint's existing network as well as the WiMax network.
Sprint and Clearwire have said their joint venture, which will be called Clearwire, will offer WiMax services covering a potentially 140 million consumers by the end of 2010. (Reporting by Sinead Carew)
