Clearwire Corporation Provides Transaction Update

BELLEVUE, Wash., Feb. 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR) today announced that it has filed a preliminary proxy statement in connection with its definitive agreement with Sprint Nextel Corporation ("Sprint") for Sprint to acquire the approximately 50 percent stake in Clearwire that it does not already own for $2.97 per share (the "Sprint Agreement"). The background section of the proxy statement describes the Company's extensive review of strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value over the past few years.

As previously disclosed on January 8, 2013, Clearwire received an unsolicited, non-binding proposal (the "DISH Proposal") from DISH Network Corporation ("DISH"). The DISH Proposal provides for DISH to purchase certain spectrum assets from Clearwire, enter into a commercial agreement with Clearwire and acquire up to all of Clearwire's common stock for $3.30 per share (subject to minimum ownership of at least 25% and granting of certain governance rights) and provide Clearwire with financing on specified terms. The DISH Proposal is only a preliminary indication of interest and is subject to numerous, material uncertainties and conditions, including the negotiation of multiple contractual arrangements being requested by DISH (some of which, as currently proposed, may not be permitted under the terms of Clearwire's current legal and contractual obligations) as well as regulatory approvals.

In connection with the Sprint Agreement, Clearwire and Sprint also entered into agreements that provide up to $800 million of additional financing to Clearwire in the form of exchangeable notes, which will be exchangeable under certain conditions for Clearwire common stock at $1.50 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions (the "Sprint Financing Agreements"). Under the Sprint Financing Agreements, Sprint has agreed to purchase, at Clearwire's option, $80 million of exchangeable notes per month for up to 10 months.

As previously disclosed on January 8, 2013, Clearwire did not take the initial draw under the Sprint Financing Agreements as DISH indicated that its preliminary proposal would be withdrawn were Clearwire to draw on the financing. In order to allow the Special Committee to continue to evaluate the DISH Proposal, at the direction of the Special Committee, Clearwire has not taken the February $80 million draw. The Special Committee has not made any determination with respect to any future draws under the Sprint Financing Arrangements.

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