After word spread that Sprint was in “active negotiations” to acquire the remaining share of Clearwire, the carrier has tabled a $2.1 billion offer to buyout the company. Sprint currently holds a majority stake in Clearwire but seeks complete ownership of its assets, including spectrum that could be repurposed towards building out the Now Network’s own wireless offerings.
A few key things need to happen before the deal can go through. Obviously, Clearwire would need to agree to the terms, but so would SoftBank, the Japanese company that aims to complete a deal to acquire 70 percent of Sprint by next spring. Even if both parties are kosher with Sprint’s offer, the Clearwire deal is contingent on the SoftBank acquisition going through. The ink likely won’y be on the paperwork until March or April of 2013.
[via Engadget]
