CNET has reported that AT&T has gone to the FCC to challenge the proposed merger of the Sprint Nextel – Clearwire WiMax networks to create a nation broadband wireless network.
Announced in May, the deal is reportedly worth about $14.5 billion, and has some serious backing from Intel, Google, Comcast and Time Warner. The deal needs FCC approval to go through.
Although AT&T is currently rolling out 3G technology, it’s still several years away from 4G, which would be WiMax’s big competition. In it’s filing, the company said that the merger “openly state[s] that they (Sprint Nextel and Clearwire) intend to compete with other national wireless providers — including AT&T — yet they fail to make the required showings necessary for the commission’s review.”
Regardless of developments, Sprint will launch WiMax in September.
