Clearwire plans to offer Google applications

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wireless service provider Clearwire Corp said on Tuesday that it would offer its customers applications such as e-mail and calendar from Web search leader Google Inc.

Clearwire said the applications, including the Google Talk instant message service, would become available to its wireless Internet customers in the first half of this year.

The company, founded by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw, said it also planned to provide Google's Web search services on future Clearwire Web portal applications.

Clearwire shares were up 25 cents, or 1.8 percent, at $14.24 in morning Nasdaq trade.

The stock has fallen from more than $18 after No. 3 U.S. mobile provider Sprint Nextel said in November that it was ending a previously announced collaboration with Clearwire. The companies had planned to let their customers roam on each other's networks.

Both companies are using an emerging wireless network technology known as WiMax. Sprint also has an agreement with Google.

(Reporting by Sinead Carew; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)