Clearwire Shareholders Approve Sprint Offer

Clearwire Corp. shareholders voted in favor of Sprint Nextel Corp.’s bid for full control of the wireless Internet operator, giving Sprint valuable airwaves to make its services more competitive.

Investors representing 82 percent of eligible shares approved the $5-a-share proposal, Clearwire said today, allowing Sprint to acquire the remaining half of the company. Sprint, the third-largest wireless carrier, won support from shareholders after raising its offer two weeks ago, trumping a $4.40-a-share bid from Dish Network Corp.