Sprint Nextel will bring its 4G wireless mobile broadband service to Seattle and at least nine additional markets this year, according to a news release this morning. The Sprint 4G offering is based on the WiMAX network from Kirkland-based Clearwire, following the combination of the two companies' wireless broadband businesses last year.

The announcement reflects Sprint's plans to continue offering 4G service under its own brand, even though it's based on the Clearwire network, said Stephanie Vinge-Walsh, a Sprint spokeswoman.

A specific date for the Seattle rollout of Sprint 4G isn't known, Vinge-Walsh said. Other cities expected to get the Sprint 4G service this year are Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Worth, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Portland.

That plan closely matches Clearwire's own rollout schedule for mobile WiMax. Clearwire currently provides mobile WiMax in Baltimore and Portland, and offers pre-WiMax service in a number of markets, including Seattle.

Susan Johnson, a spokeswoman for Clearwire, called Sprint's 4G plans in Seattle and other cities a "win-win" for Clearwire.

"Whether our customer subscribes to our service through Clearwire or through one of our wholesale partners, it's favorable to our company," Johnston said.