Comcast and Time Warner Cable – the two biggest US cable providers – are in discussions to fund a nationwide WiMAX network to be operated by Sprint Nextel and Clearwire, reports The Wall Street Journal. Sprint and Clearwire would work together as part of a new wireless company, according to insiders. The news follows persistent rumours that Sprint is in talks with Clearwire to expand its own WiMAX network as part of a US$5 billion project. According to this latest report, under the new plan Comcast will provide up to US$1 billion in funding for the project, with Time Warner Cable providing US$500 million. Cable operator Bright House Networks could also pay between US$100-200 million, says the report. Intel is also rumoured to be contributing upwards of US$1 billion, while Google may be set to pay in excess of US$100 million.

In August last year it was first reported that Sprint and Clearwire were planning to partner and build a joint WiMAX mobile broadband network in the US. Talks broke down in November before reportedly being revived this January in partnership with Google, Best Buy and Intel. Sprint currently offers WiMAX services in Chicago, Baltimore and Washington DC.