Google’s Role in WiMAX

Google jumped into the WiMAX game when it put up cash to back the Sprint/Clearwire venture. Today, in a standing-room-only session with Clearwire CEO Ben Wolff at WiMAX World, came the first articulation I’ve heard of how Google is partnering with the WiMAX network providers moving forward.

1. Devices – With Google’s Android moves, the search company is now firmly in the devices market. Is Wolff suggesting we’ll have a WiMAX-enabled Android handset soon?
2. Applications and Services – New stuff to make the mobile Internet great
3. Search and Advertising – Wolff described Google as Clearwire’s lead partner in this area

There was also an interesting question from the moderator, Yankee Group’s Berge Ayvazian: “Will we see a Google portal [on WiMAX devices] for consumers?”  Wolff’s response: “I can envision a role for Google in a WiMAX portal, and I can envision other ways Google will reach consumers directly on the network.”