Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S) announced today that Samsung Telecommunications America has been awarded the New York area market for mobile WiMAX network infrastructure in preparation for Xohm mobile Internet services availability to customers in that region beginning in late 2008.

Sprint is developing with ecosystem partners a nationwide advanced wireless broadband network designed to mobilize the Internet, bring wireless innovation to devices and deliver new mobile multimedia applications to consumer, business and government customers. The mobile WiMAX network can deliver broadband access with speeds up to five times faster than current third-generation wireless networks and will be marketed under the Xohm???? (pronounced “zoam”) brand.

Samsung was previously awarded the Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and Providence, R.I., markets. The New York award is part of an extensive, multi-year supply agreement, and encompasses New York City, Nassau-Suffolk and Jersey City, N.J. It also includes northern and central New Jersey the Newark, Bergen-Passaic, Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon and Monmouth-Ocean areas.

“We’re bringing Xohm mobile broadband to the Big Apple and beyond,” said Barry West, Sprint Nextel CTO and president - Xohm business unit. “It’s faster than a New York minute, and will deliver a unique multimedia mobile Internet experience over innovative devices. It is another reason for area residents and visitors to love New York.”