A Tonic for the Slowdown

The once-ubiquitous term “killer app” seems all dead now, but as the Slowdown of 2008 phases in, now would be as good a time as any for something to stem the tide.

This might do the trick. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that several big-name cable companies are considering ponying up to $3 billion to underwrite a new WiMAX venture from Sprint and Clearwire. The nationwide network would provide high-speed Net access for laptops, cellphones and other mobile devices.

The Journal pegs Intel and Google as other potential supporters. Sprint needs about $3 billion to get the network rolling, and taking it national could run another $5 billion.

All that investment would look mighty nice as it works its way into the pockets of the nation’s electronics manufacturers.

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About Mike

Mike Buetow is president of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (pcea.net). He previously was editor-in-chief of Circuits Assembly magazine, the leading publication for electronics manufacturing, and PCD&F, the leading publication for printed circuit design and fabrication. He spent 21 years as vice president and editorial director of UP Media Group, for which he oversaw all editorial and production aspects. He has more than 30 years' experience in the electronics industry, including six years at IPC, an electronics trade association, at which he was a technical projects manager and communications director. He has also held editorial positions at SMT Magazine, community newspapers and in book publishing. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikebuetow