Sprint has kicked off its cutting edge XOHM WiMAX service in Baltimore. The next-generation 4G wireless network is the first of its kind in the United States. XOHM WiMAX promises average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps with flexible plans which do not require long-term commitments or contracts. Sprint's mobile WiMAX service plans include a $10 Day pass, $25 monthly Home Internet service and $30 monthly On-the-go service.

As for the required modems, Sprint has announced that they would be available both through the Xohm Web site and in local independent stores. The two models, the Samsung Express and the Zyxel are priced at $59.99 and $79.99, respectively.

The new technology provides high-speed Internet connections for laptops and cell phones. WiMax will cover wide areas of the United States while providing the next generation of high-speed Internet access for cell phone users. The WiMAX service provides location and personalization features, helping users with information on businesses, weather, traffic and entertainment. All the data can be accessed on WiMAX-capable devices such as laptops, media players, car navigation systems, media players and so on.

The main difference between Wi-Fi and WiMAX is that the latter has a radius of up to 2-3 miles that allow for handoffs from one base station to another, as users move about a region or metro area. Additionally, WiMAX networks integrate technology designed to maximize the quality of service for each subscriber.

Last year Sprint has also announced a 20-year agreement with Clearwire Corp. for building a WiMAX network all across the United States, which is expected to eventually providing coverage to about 300 million users. Samsung has been working with Sprint in the United States to test and build Sprint’s XOHM mobile broadband Internet service compliant to the mobile WiMAX standard.

Since finalizing a supply agreement in 2007, the two companies have steadily made progress on the extensive project with previous key milestones including first data session in the lab (June 2007), first data session on the live network (October 2007) and successful interoperability testing with multiple other device vendors (April 2008).

In June, it was announced that six companies will team up in an organization called Open Patent Alliance, which aims to speed up the adoption and deployment WiMAX technology and products. The six companies are Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Clearwire, Intel Corporation, Samsung Electronics and Sprint. To accomplish its goals, the OPA will form a WiMAX patent pool to help participating companies obtain access to patent licenses from patent owners at a predictable cost.