Is Clearwire Headed for Bankruptcy?

Clearwire Corp. is weighing whether to make a big debt payment that comes due in two weeks, a decision that could ultimately lead to a bankruptcy, a danger Clearwire has been warning in its quarterly reports for some time, as the company's full business plan remains substantially unfunded. 


The $237 million payment is due Dec. 1, 2011, and Clearwire, with $698 million in cash and short-term investments on Sept. 30, 2011 can afford to make it.

But the company needs to raise lots of money if it is to stay in business after the next 12 months. Clearwire May Skip Big Debt Payment

Sprint, which owns 53 percent of Clearwire, recently has suggested it could help Clearwire with an additional cash infusion. Will Sprint throw Clearwire a Lifeline? But it also has been argued that Sprint, or any other potential investor, would be better off waiting until Clearwire actually goes bankrupt, and then buy the asset then.


Clearwire has never completed its national WiMAX network, and now says it will build an LTE network as well. Some believe even AT&T or Verizon might invest, under some circumstances, or that Clearwire could attract another major anchor customer other than Sprint. Would AT&T invest?