Google to offer mobile services via Sprint WiMAX

Stuart Corner
Friday, 27 July 2007 09:11

Opinion and Analysis

Google has teamed up with Sprint Nextel to offer a range of advertising sponsored search, information and content services and applications over Sprint's planned WiMAX network. The services will make user of customer location information derived from the network, but many questions remain unanswered.

Google's deal with Sprint has been described in the US press as "Google's closest alliance with a major US mobile service provider." However, details of exactly what the two will offer are still fairly sketchy - one US analyst was reported saying that the announcement had been made with "a deliberately vague press release in some ways."

There may be a good reason for this. The deal certainly begs the question of whether or not it is the sort of thing that Google is advocating in its proposals to the FCC for open access to future services in the 700MHz spectrum. The release does not say whether the deal with Google is exclusive, preferential or neutral. According to a Reuters report: " Google will provide its Internet search service for a Web portal that Sprint is developing for the new WiMAX network. The gateway to various Web services will be ready in April 2008."

According to the announcement, Sprint network bandwidth, location detection and presence capabilities will be matched with Google's popular communications suite, Google Apps, that combines the Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Talk services. "Customers will be able to experience a new form of interactive communications, high speed Internet browsing, local and location-centric services, and multimedia services including music, video, TV and on-demand products." US reports say that the services will be free with revenue coming from advertising.

According to Barry West, president, 4G Mobile Broadband for Sprint. "This collaboration brings what will be the best mobile Internet network together with the leading Internet search company. It allows us to capitalise on the powerful mobility and Internet trends, and create wireless services and applications that take advantage of each company's history of product development innovation."

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