Sprint's WiMax Backhaul RFP

1:25 PM -- Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) could be close to selecting the vendors for microwave backhaul equipment for its mobile WiMax network.

Aviv Ronai, chief marketing officer of Ceragon Networks Ltd. (Nasdaq: CRNT), says Sprint should have "less than a shortlist" for the backhaul RFP. When asked whether Ceragon was on that list, he said, "We're advancing in the selection process." (See HR Tracks Backhaul and Ceragon Touts Backhaul.)

Sprint plans to use Ethernet-based backhaul services from FiberTower Corp. in seven of its initial launch markets, but for the rest of the network rollout it's looking for microwave backhaul kit. (See FiberTower Backhauls Sprint, Ethernet Boosts Microwave Market, and Ethernet Spurs Microwave Innovation.)Check out the Unstrung Insider report, Ethernet Microwave: Backhaul & Beyond and the Heavy Reading report, Ethernet Backhaul: Mobile Operator Strategies & Market Opportunities.

— Michelle Donegan, European Editor, Unstrung