Intel, Clearwire to Accelerate Deployment of WiMAX Networks Worldwide

Companies to Advance Broadband Services through Joint Technology Development and Investments

As part of the collaboration, Clearwire intends to deploy WiMAX networks using wireless broadband equipment from NextNet Wireless (a Clearwire subsidiary) that includes future Intel silicon products. The joint development agreement with Clearwire is for future products supporting the upcoming IEEE 802.16e standard for WiMAX solutions found in both infrastructure equipment and notebooks. WiMAX is an emerging wireless standard that promises to provide high-speed broadband connectivity in both fixed and mobile wireless networks.

The agreement also involves a significant investment in Clearwire from Intel Capital, Intel's strategic investment program. The investment is part of Intel Capital's strategy to invest $150 million in wireless technology to help accelerate adoption of high-speed wireless networks worldwide. Specific financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

"WiMAX technology has spawned a global community that continues to gain momentum, and we as an industry have achieved some important milestones this past year," said Sean Maloney, Intel executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Communications Group. "Today's announcement is particularly important. Carriers, equipment makers and solution providers around the world are moving quickly to lay the foundation for building this new global network.

"Craig and his team have helped shape the communications industry over the past two decades. Their vision, energy and leadership will help us achieve the promise that WiMAX technology offers: widely available, high-speed wireless connectivity using extremely high volume low-cost technology based on open standards."

"Today's announcement marks the beginning of an important relationship to accelerate the delivery of broadband services to people across the world," said Clearwire Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Craig O. McCaw. "Intel is a leader in the development of WiMAX technologies. And while we have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, we are encouraged by our early market deployments - both at Clearwire and with our friends at NextNet. We are seeing a positive response to the enormous benefits that wireless technology provides in giving people the power that comes from access to information."

The collaboration with Clearwire is the next step in Intel's continued development of WiMAX technology beyond "Rosedale," its upcoming wireless broadband chip for WiMAX* products based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard (previously known as IEEE 802.16REVd). Rosedale is Intel's first "system-on-a-chip" solution for cost-effective customer premise equipment (CPE) supporting that early standard.

In addition, in August, Clearwire launched its first broadband wireless network in Jacksonville, FL. The network, using NextNet technology, is a precursor to upcoming WiMAX networks and uses technologies very similar to WiMAX and offers comparable features that are expected to be available in a full-scale WiMAX network. It provides high-speed broadband wireless service throughout most of the greater Jacksonville area. Customers of the Clearwire network in Jacksonville simply connect their computer to a NextNet modem with an Ethernet cable, power it up and receive Internet access anywhere within the Clearwire coverage area. No software installation or system configuration is required.

Since last summer, Intel, Clearwire and NextNet engineers have been working together to develop, test and deploy WiMAX base stations and customer premise equipment designed and built by NextNet based on Intel silicon, making NextNet among the first vendors capable of delivering WiMAX infrastructure.

About Intel and Intel Capital
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. Intel Capital, Intel's strategic investment program, focuses on making equity investments and acquisitions to grow the Internet economy in support of Intel's strategic interests. Intel Capital invests in hardware, software and services companies in several market segments, including computing, networking, and wireless communications. For more information, visit www.intel.com/capital.

About Clearwire
Clearwire is a provider of reliable, wireless, high-speed broadband Internet service to consumers and small businesses. Clearwire is utilizing next-generation non-line-of-sight wireless technology to connect customers to the Internet using radio spectrum, thus, eliminating the confines of traditional cable or phone wiring. The tower transmits radio signals from a base site to a small, wireless modem, the size of a paperback book, which easily connects a user's computer to the Internet. For more information, visit www.clearwire.com.

About NextNet® Wireless, Inc.
NextNet is the industry's most widely deployed provider of NLOS plug-and-play broadband wireless access systems. The company was founded in 1998 and acquired by wireless pioneer Craig McCaw in early 2004. NextNet's Expedience® system is deployed today in cities throughout Asia, Africa, North America, Latin America, and Mexico, where NextNet is the exclusive NLOS plug-and-play system supplier for MVS Comunicaciones, Mexico's largest MMDS carrier, with licensed spectrum covering 67 million potential subscribers. In the USA, NextNet's Expedience solution is deployed by Clearwire and other regional ISPs in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina and Ohio. NextNet is also the exclusive NLOS plug-and-play system supplier for the Canadian joint venture of Inukshuk, Allstream, and NR Communications, which holds licensed spectrum covering 30 million Canadians. NextNet is a principal member of the WiMAX Forum™. For more information, visit www.nextnetwireless.com.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.