Sprint owns 49% of struggling Clearwire, which owns large chunks of spectrum in the U.S. and is planning to launch a next-generation network using technology called TDD LTE. Softbank, Japan's No. 3 wireless carrier, also is working to build a similarly structured high-speed network.
A Clearwire spokeswoman was unavailable for comment, and a Sprint representative declined to comment.
Shares of Clearwire recently rose 29% to $1.68 in premarket trading. Sprint shares rose 18% to $5.97.
RBC Capital analyst Jonathan Atkin noted that Softbank's acquisition could bring Clearwire much closer to network partner Sprint because Softbank may want its U.S. affiliate to be using compatible technology.
Clearwire also has signed a deal with China Mobile Ltd. (0941.HK), which uses the same technology and similar spectrum frequencies as Clearwire, to allow roaming of customers between their networks. Other carriers around the world also use the technology, such as India's Bharti Airtel Ltd. (532454.BY).
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