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Sprint, Google in pact for WiMax mobile Web

Location tech included in carrier's high-speed wireless network to be combined with Google tools such e-mail, chat.

Reuters
Sprint Nextel said on Thursday it would develop with Google a new mobile Internet portal using WiMax wireless technology to offer Web search and social networking.

Sprint's WiMax for high-speed wireless and its services for detecting location will be combined with Google tools including e-mail, chat and other applications.

Sprint announced earlier this month a plan to connect its WiMax high-speed services with those of Clearwire to allow customers to move between their networks.

Sprint aims to use the emerging WiMax technology to better compete with rival wireless and wired broadband networks.

It plans to test the WiMax service in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington by the end of this year, with a goal of attaining coverage for 100 million people by the end of 2008.

WiMax offers Web access speeds that are five times faster than typical wireless networks, though they are still slower than wired broadband.