Sprint unveils dual-mode modem for WiMax

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sprint Nextel Corp announced plans on Wednesday for the first device that would work on both the high-speed WiMax network Clearwire Corp is building and on Sprint's existing mobile network.

Sprint, a 51 percent owner of Clearwire, said it would sell the dual-mode modem starting December 21 for $149.99 after a $50 rebate for customers who sign a two-year contract. It is selling Sprint-brand services using Clearwire's WiMax network.

But since the WiMax service has operated only in Baltimore so far, Sprint WiMax customers would have needed a separate device to travel outside the city and use Sprint's own network, which is based on EV-DO technology.

Clearwire is expected to expand the network around the country and expects to launch the service in Portland, Oregan in early January.

(Reporting by Sinead Carew; Editing by Andre Grenon)