During CES, Sprint made several announcements in connection with its WiMAX network Xohm, including new service partnerships, access devices and the selection of an advertising agency to support the launch of the new network.
New Xohm service partnerships include Amdocs, a provider of customer experience systems, which has been awarded a multi-year agreement for software and services in support of Xohm; SwapDrive, a provider of online data backup, access and sharing services, will provide a hosted storage solution where Xohm subscribers can organize, manage and access all of their user-generated digital content; eTelecare Global Solutions, a provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions, will provide voice and e-support customer care services; and security technology company McAfee will implement online security products for PCs used on the Xohm WiMAX network.
As for WiMAX device announcements, OQO said it will embed WiMAX wireless capability in its ultra mobile PC; ASUSTek plans to produce a line of WiMAX-embedded devices; Zyxel and chip supplier Sequans will collaborate to produce a WiMAX modem subscriber device for mobile Internet data and voice services, which will debut with the launch of commercial Xohm service.
Sprint Nextel also has selected Soho Square, a WPP company, as the advertising agency to help launch the Xohm brand in North America. As part of this relationship, Xohm will leverage resources from a wide range of WPP companies, including Ogilvy and Mindshare/GroupM.
"Sprint is delivering on its Open Internet vision with exciting and differentiated WiMAX services," said Barry West, president of Sprint's Xohm business unit, in a statement. "The new service agreements and device commitments will help Xohm subscribers access, enjoy, store and secure personal digital and user-generated content while experiencing new device innovation."
In December, Sprint announced that Xohm service had soft-launched and was being tested by employees in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington D.C.