China Mobile, the world's largest mobile operator in terms of subscribers, and Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq:CLWR), a leading provider of 4G wireless broadband services in the United States, today announced a collaboration to accelerate the development of TD-LTE devices. Specifically, the two companies agreed to work together to cultivate a robust device ecosystem that supports multi-mode, multi-band devices with minimum component complexity and cost.
China Mobile and Clearwire both support the global 2.5 GHz spectrum band for 4G deployments along with many other operators around the world. To date, both China Mobile and Clearwire have conducted successful TD-LTE trials and tests using commercially available/production-ready TD-LTE devices from numerous vendors. The two companies will work jointly to further accelerate the time-to-market availability of high volume TD-LTE chipsets and devices that should be commercially available starting in 2012. In addition, the two companies will collaborate to enable worldwide data roaming among TD-LTE, FDD-LTE and other 2G/3G networks.
"The availability and cost of TD-LTE devices are critical success factors for operators to deploy TD-LTE networks," said Mr. Jianzhou Wang, Chairman of China Mobile Communications Corporation. "The cooperation with Clearwire will leverage economies of scale in the two largest markets in the world to speed up the development of TD-LTE devices. We anticipate the widest variety and most cost effective high performance devices - modems, routers, smart phones and tablets - to provide end users with affordable advanced mobile broadband services."
"We expect to launch a next-generation LTE network that will offer more capacity than any other 4G network in the United States," said John Stanton, Executive Chairman of Clearwire. "By working with China Mobile, we fully expect to benefit from a device ecosystem aimed to support billions of potential users worldwide. This unmatched scale should reduce costs and increase choices for our customers in the years ahead."
Today's announcement further supports Clearwire's recent announcement of its intent to add LTE technology to its 4G network. By joining forces on TD-LTE technology, product, deployment and roaming solutions, China Mobile and Clearwire are well positioned to build a viable and competitive TD-LTE ecosystem for the highest demand 4G markets around the globe.
About China Mobile
China Mobile Communications Corporation ("China Mobile") was founded on April 20, 2000, with a registered capital of RMB 51.8 billion, and assets of more than RMB 1000 billion, possessing the largest network and customer base in the world.
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited is wholly-owned by China Mobile. China Mobile (Hong Kong) Group Limited, as of 31 December 2010, holds 74.21% equity interest in China Mobile Limited ("listed company" for short). The listed company has wholly owned subsidiary companies in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) as well as Hong Kong SAR. China Mobile Limited was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. Currently, China Mobile Limited is the world's largest telecommunications company by market value.
China Mobile has been selected in the world's top 500 by the U.S. "Fortune" magazine for 11 consecutive years, and the latest ranking is 87th. With its brand value rising, it has been named as one of the world's most powerful brands by the "Financial Times" for four consecutive years. In addition, it was recognized on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 4 consecutive years, being the only company selected in Mainland China. Additional information is available at http://www.chinamobile.com.
About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (Nasdaq:CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of mobile broadband services. Clearwire's 4G network currently provides coverage in areas of the U.S. where more than 130 million people live. Clearwire's open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its 4G service through its own brand called CLEAR(R) as well as through its wholesale relationships with companies such as Sprint, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Locus Telecommunications, Cbeyond, Mitel and Best Buy. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Bellevue, Wash. Additional information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may be viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of China Mobile Limited or Clearwire Corporation (the "Company") to be materially different from any future performance, financial condition or results of operations implied by such forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in China Mobile's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and Clearwire Corporation's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, both as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and in the companies' other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exc
hange Commission.
CONTACT: CHINA MOBILE CONTACTS:
Press Enquiries:
China Mobile Limited
Ms. Rainie Lei
Telephone: 852-31218888
Fax: 852-31218809
CLEARWIRE CONTACTS:
Media Relations:
Susan Johnston, 425-216-7913
susan.johnston@clearwire.com
JLM Partners for Clearwire:
Mike DiGioia or Jeremy Pemble, 206-381-3600
mike@jlmpartners.com or jeremy@jlmpartners.com
Investor Relations:
Alice Ryder, 425-636-5828
alice.ryder@clearwire.com