Clearwire and Sprint Nextel are combining wireless broadband units, reports The Associated Press.

The duo will operate under the Clearwire label and focus on the development and implementation of WiMax high-speed internet technology.

WiMax is faster than standard Wi-Fi. Clearwire and Sprint believe this liaison will expedite its mainstream availability.

Sprint Nextel will own about 51 percent of the venture. Remaining ownership stakes will be split between Clearwire, which will take 27 percent, and a group of investors that will control a combined 22 percent.

Clearwire investors include Comcast, Time Warner and Google. The latter justified its $500 million investment based on Clearwire's affinity to the open access principles it champions.