AndroidGuys

Just when we thought Sprint was all but dead and buried we learn of news that they are in negotiations with Clearwire Corporation to resurrect their XOHM and WiMax broadband networks. This story gets even better. Remember a few weeks ago when we reported that Sprint had lost the backing of the cable companies that would have helped fund the XOHM and WiMax initiatives? Well, apparently Clearwire has received funding from some of those same companies! That’s right. Comcast, Time Warner, Intel and Google are all prepared to invest billions to fund the project. These back room deals are better than most soap operas.

While this doesn’t completely bail Sprint out, it could make them that much more appealing to any would be buyers. You can read the complete article here from The Mobile Roar. Thanks to one of our readers, CaryAnne for the tip on this one.

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: According a press release from this morning, the deal has been completed. As expected, the players involved are Intel, Google, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Trilogy Equity Partners. As a group, they’ve agreed to invest $3.2 billion in the company. The team will be run by Clearwire and managers from Sprint’s XOHM business unit.

Head over to the Washington Post to see what each brings to the table and how they fit into the big scheme of things.

Here’s what Google’s doing as part of the deal:

• Will develop Internet and advertising services and applications for WiMax devices
• Will be the default search provider and the preferred application provider for Clearwire’s new retail product
• Will supply its Android operating system for future Clearwire voice and data devices.
• Will be the default provider of web and local search for Sprint’s mobile phone services, and be able to preload several Google services, including Google Maps for mobile, Gmail and YouTube, on to select Sprint mobile phones.
• Has the option to enter into 3G and 4G wholesale agreements with Clearwire and Sprint, but has no current plans to do so.

Could this be the first step in getting Sprint acting like a major player again?