T-Mobile Explores Partnership with Clearwire

T-Mobile USA’s CEO confirmed yesterday that the company is in talks with Clearwire and cable companies about a possible joint venture in order to improve its wireless spectrum position.

Speaking at an investor conference in Germany, Robert Dotson said that the wireless carrier was exploring its options. ”We continue to look at JV opportunities for additional spectrum,” Dotson said. “There are a number of different options we look at, (we) have been talking with cable companies, with Clearwire.”

Asked if T-Mobile would consider partnering with Sprint Nextel, Dotson discouraged the idea: “What you never want to do is take one company that is going through challenges and take another company going through challenges.”

T-Mobile USA is a distant fourth in the U.S. mobile market behind Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint Nextel.  Despite its best efforts, the wireless carrier continues to lose ground, bleeding customers to both larger and smaller rivals in the last few quarters.

The media has engaged in wide-ranging speculation about how T-Mobile can turn the tables, and also develop a long-range 4G strategy. If T-Mobile does indeed partner with Clearwire on its Clear WiMAX initiative it will add further weight to the WiMAX ecosystem.

Reuters has more.

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2. Sprint Nextel and Clearwire Partner on WiMAX Network
3. Clearwire to Conduct LTE Trials
4. Clearwire to Launch WiMAX in 10 Markets September 1
5. Report: T-Mobile Looks to Invest in WiMAX