Google nuzzles closer to Sprint Nextel

It seems Google Inc. has no plans to be a silent partner in the forthcoming Sprint Nextel Corp./Clearwire Corp. business.
The Internet giant said it will become the default search provider for Sprint Nextel as early as this summer, powering both Internet and local, GPS-enabled search on the carrier’s portal. Sprint Nextel will offer handsets featuring one-click access to Google’s ubiquitous user interface, and the operator will push offerings such as Google Maps for mobile and YouTube.
Sprint Nextel and Google first partnered in November 2006 to bring Gmail to the carrier’s subscribers, and both companies are members of the Open Handset Alliance that was unveiled last year. And Clearwire earlier this year inked its own deal with Google, offering applications such as Gmail, Calendar and Google Talk to subscribers.
“Google and Sprint have a lot in common when it comes to our vision for the mobile Web,” said Doug Garland, VP of product management at Google. “We both believe in openness and providing compelling, easy-to-use mobile services that consumers can use every day.”
The announcement follows news that Google is one of five third-party investors (including Intel Corp., Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks) that will pony up $3.2 billion for a piece of a planned WiMAX business from Clearwire and Sprint Nextel.