Clearwire today announced plans to adopt Long Term Evolution as part of its 4G network moving forward. Specifically, Clearwire will add Time Division Duplexing (TDD) LTE Advanced-ready technology to its IP network that is capable of reaching 120Mbps download speeds under optimal conditions. Clearwire said that its field tests of LTE, conducted over recent months, have proved successful and played a role in helping it make this decision. Clearwire will first deploy LTE across its existing 4G footprint in markets where it experiences high demand. Clearwire says this will help it build-out LTE faster and at a lower cost. Clearwire's LTE network will operate on its 2.5GHz spectrum, which it also uses for WiMax. Clearwire was sure to note that it remains committed to WiMax as a 4G technology and will continue to build-out its WiMax network. Clearwire said the speed at which it deploys the new LTE network will be dependent on a number of factors, including new sources of funding. Clearwire's WiMax partner, Sprint, recently agreed to help LightSquared deploy an LTE network using L-band spectrum. It is not immediately clear how or if Clearwire and Sprint will offer LTE devices that are interoperable between the two services, and whether or not they will market dual-mode LTE-WiMax 4G handsets.



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