Baltimore first to receive Sprint’s 4G XOHM WiMAX service

by Stevie Smith - Sep 30 2008, 13:17

No sooner have high-speed 3G networks finally embarked on a meaningful spread across North America than telecommunications giant Sprint goes and unleashes the fourth-generation power of its new XOHM WiMAX service.

While frustrating for some, the emergence of WiMAX, the successor to Wi-Fi, will likely come as nothing but good news to those presently experiencing the XOHM rollout in the state of Maryland.

Arriving approximately two years after Sprint’s selection of WiMAX IEEE 802.16e as a technology standard, the XOHM WiMAX network is being introduced in the city of Baltimore, which is seen by Sprint as marking the starting point for “a new era for wireless consumers” as the advantages of 4G become more apparent.

“This is truly an historic day,” enthused Barry West, president of Sprint’s XOHM business unit. “Wireless consumers will experience WiMAX device and XOHM service innovation on multiple levels as the computer, Internet, telecom and consumer electronics industries converge to redefine wireless mobility.”

According to Kansas-based Sprint, the associated benefits of joining its XOHM network include download link speeds of up to 4Mbps, no long-term customer commitments or contracts, a variety of flexible Internet service plans, self-activation and future update compatibility, and no walled servicing that restricts service use, choice and innovation.

Already available for those in Baltimore, customers will be able to purchase XOHM-branded Samsung Express air cards for $59.99 USD, and ZyXEL modems for $79.99 USD via XOHM Web, telesales or select Baltimore-area independent retailers.

Additional WiMAX devices such as a ZTE USB modem, Intel Centrino 2 WiMAX notebook PCs and the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition are expected to hit the marketplace later in the year as WiMAX grows.

Sprint’s launch also sees customers lavished with introductory offers that allow the choice between daily and month-to-month service options. These WiMAX offers include a $10 USD Day pass, a $25 USD monthly Home Internet service package, and a $30 USD monthly On-the-go deal. Other deals include a $50 USD “Pick 2 for Life” monthly service offer that covers the usage of two separate WiMAX devices.

Other features and functions related to the emergence of Sprint’s 4G access include free access to a unique and customizable Web site, called MyXOHM, for XOHM service subscribers, while Sprint is also striving to bring WiMAX to a wide range of computing, portable multimedia, interactive, in-car, and other business and consumer electronic devices.

The Baltimore unveiling of Sprint’s 4G XOHM network comes ahead of the completion of the company’s XOHM WiMAX asset merger with Clearwire, which will result in the formation of a new company (also called Clearwire) before the close of 2008. Once in place, this new unit will continue Sprint’s efforts to deploy a nationwide WiMAX network and will be the only wireless carrier to provide 4G services through an MVNO structure in the United States.

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