Is Google interested in more WiMAX deals?

Is Google interested in pursuing deals with WiMAX operators outside of the U.S. to continue furthering its open Internet business model? Google, of course, is one of the investors in the new Cleawire, which now entitles the search engine to be the default provider of Web and local search on Clearwire's network and Clearwire will preload several Google services including maps for mobile, Gmail and YouTube.

This week, though denials have come from all of those said to be involved, French daily Les Echos is reporting that a WiMAX joint venture is in the works in France, and it involves funding from Google and the ISP Free, a unit of Iliad, and Bollore Group's Bollore Telecom. Free is the sole holder of a national license for WiMAX and Bollore Telecom holds 20 regional licenses for the service. A nationwide network in France is estimated to require $1.5 billion investment and would need the assistance of technology providers and wealthy backers.

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