Sprint (NYSE:S) announced international WiMAX roaming deals with Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan.
Sprint, which offers WiMAX service via a wholesale agreement with Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR), said certain devices that operate with the Sprint SmartView Connection Manager will be able to automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving subscribers the option to connect and roam on these networks with a 24-hour day pass. Pricing and launch details of the agreements have yet to be determined.
Sprint said the SmartView Connection manager enables users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere in the Sprint 3G or WiMAX footprint or on the compatible international networks with mobile broadband USB modems. A Sprint spokesman said smartphones do not yet have SmartView Connection functionality so roaming is limited to USB modems at this point.
Clearwire introduced WiMAX roaming services with UQ Communications in Japan in September. Clearwire and UQ customers using Intel WiMAX-embedded netbooks and notebooks can sign up for a day pass and use unlimited data while traveling through the covered markets in Japan and the U.S.
Sprint offers WiMAX service in 68 markets and plans to introduce service in several new major markets, including San Francisco and Denver, by the end of the year.
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