US operator Sprint is reported to be planning the launch of a WiMAX handset by the end of the second quarter. Forbes notes that online reports suggest the device is a touchscreen smartphone running Google’s Android operating system, manufactured by Taiwan’s HTC. Since Sprint’s WiMAX network is not yet nationwide, the handset is said to be ‘dual-mode’, switching back to 3G EV-DO cellular technology when out of the reach of WiMAX networks.

Availability of WiMAX-enabled handsets is seen as key to future success of the technology. To date Sprint has launched devices such as USB modems and PC cards, but WiMAX enabled handsets could help make the technology more mainstream. Sprint provides WiMAX services with wireless Internet service provider Clearwire (Sprint owns 51 percent of Clearwire), and Forbes reports that the service is currently available in 27 US markets covering more than 30 million people and will extend to potential population coverage of 120 million people (note: not actual subscribers) by the end of this year. Previous reports have suggested Clearwire is planning to launch a WiMAX handset in the second half of this year, although Sprint’s move may bring that forward. Sprint and Clearwire’s decision to use WiMAX as their technology of choice for next-generation mobile communications contrasts with larger rivals Verizon and AT&T, which have opted for LTE.