Summary
1. Back in the summer of 2008, we wrote an article entitled: “Court’s Refusal to Dismiss iPCS Legal Action Should be Music to Sprint’s Ears” 2. We said, “This suit by iPCS just adds...another fly in the ointment – helping Sprint -- a company that seems to be looking for a graceful way out of its commitment to WiMAX.” 3. As news articles have pointed out, Sprint Nextel has other options besides a buyout in its fight with iPCS.
Analysis
Sprint could shut down its portion of the iDEN network in that area. Of course, it does involve a large portion of the Midwest. Theoretically, it could make a new deal. However, iPCS is not likely to be interested given its current stranglehold over Sprint.
The “first dibs” argument may turn out to be stronger than the original “opposi[tion of] the launch of the WiMAX networks.” Blocking a deal of that magnitude was a tall order. Yet, it was a good place for the iPCS lawyers to start.
The continuation of this fight will remain a facilitator in an eventual move by Sprint to LTE. It also has helped get Grand Rapids off of Clearwire Communication’s launch list, as it seems to be looking to pair down its initial large network plans.
