Sprint To Test Mobile WiMax

Sprint said Friday that it will work with Samsung Telecommunications to test pre-standard mobile WiMAX wireless broadband technology.

The companies said in a statement that they will conduct both laboratory and field tests of the technology as well as interoperability tests with other Sprint technology providers. Sprint provided only hints about their long-term intentions.

"The agreement with Samsung will help align technologies and validate requirements for future wireless offerings," Barry West, Sprint's chief technology officer, said in a statement. "We are evaluating multiple options for 2.5GHz applications and fostering strategic relationships with ecosystem partners who are vital to progress on next-generation wireless broadband access and infrastructure."

Sprint has previously said it will field trial fixed WiMAX and Nextel, which recently merged with Sprint, is trialing another mobile wireless broadband technology, UMTS TDD. The standard for fixed WiMAX service, 802.16-2004, has been ratified and interoperability testing on equipment is under way. However, ratification of the 802.11e standard for mobile WiMAX isn't expected for another year.