Google will finally get its chance at an open-access wireless network. The search engine giant has teamed with Sprint Nextel to develop a co-branded mobile Internet portal that will allow users to access email, search the Web and chat over the wireless broadband WiMAX connection. According to Sprint, the applications will become available in beta testing during the first quarter of 2008 and ready for commercial launch in April.
Google's collaboration with Sprint comes as Google is battling in Washington to impose new rules for a coming auction of valuable radio spectrum. Google wants to require wireless operators to open their networks to new applications and devices and has pledged to bid $4.6 billion for a license if its conditions for open access are met. Lucky for Google, the deal with Sprint goes beyond simple open access. Sprint is embracing the search engine company by developing a co-branded mobile Internet portal.
For more about the deal between Google and Sprint:
- read this press release