On Monday, long-time Internet service provider EarthLink made a resurgence of sorts when it announced that it has worked out an agreement with Clearwire Corporation for selling 4G LTE-based WiMax and mobile broadband services to consumers as well as businesses, from early next year.

According to the announcement by EarthLink, beginning from early 2013, it will tap into Clearwire's "fixed" 4G wireless Internet network - or WiMax - to provide high-speed fixed and mobile broadband service to consumers.

In addition to that, EarthLink also revealed that, once Clearwire brings its 4G LTE network online, it will offer even faster speeds to the users; and, at some point in the future, it will also come up with mobile devices and services.

The announcement by EarthLink, about its deal with Clearwire, comes at a time when the carrier has been mulling the option of marking its foray into the mobile broadband arena. The move is noteworthy because there has been a steady decline in EarthLink's Internet user-base after its peak of success in the late 1990s, when it primarily offered local dial-up Internet access and competed directly with America Online.

Meanwhile, noting that "Clearwire's 4G network is a great extension to EarthLink's business," Don Stroberg - Clearwire's Senior Vice president of strategic partnerships and wholesale - said that the EarthLink-Clearwire deal will enable EarthLink to "add 4G fixed and mobile data plans to their diverse service portfolio."