Sprint Nextel is stepping up its 4G advertising campaign by directly taking on users of Apple's iPhone, and, by extension, larger rival AT&T Mobility.
Sprint unveiled a new ad explaining how iPhone users can connect to Clearwire's mobile WiMAX network using the Overdrive mobile hotspot device. Sprint unveiled the Overdrive, built by Sierra Wireless, at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, and has been talking up its benefits ever since. The device connects to Clearwire's network (or Sprint's 3G network if no WiMAX is available) and broadcasts a WiFi hotspot for up to five devices. Clearwire's mobile WiMAX speeds range from 3 Mbps to 6 Mbps.
The new ad campaign coincides with the likely launch of Sprint's first WiMAX-enabled smartphone, the HTC Supersonic, which it will reportedly unveil tomorrow at the CTIA Wireless trade show in Las Vegas.
Sprint has made expanding mobile WiMAX a key priority this year. Indeed, the company tied executives' bonuses this year to, in part, how many subscribers sign up for Clearwire's mobile WiMAX service. Sprint holds a majority stake in Clearwire, which also counts Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Brighthouse Networks as key investors.
For more:
- see this Engadget post
- see this video
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