What's in a name? Sprint unveils XOHM WiMAX

The rumors are true, Sprint is branding its WiMAX service "Xohm" (pronounced like "home"). The Xohm WiMAX network will be open access, meaning all WiMAX-certified devices will be able to operate on the network. Devices will not be required to have an additional carrier certification, as is true with traditional cellular networks today. The Xohm service is scheduled to launch in Chicago and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area by year-end and other commercial markets will be launched by mid-2008. Believing that we're on the "cusp of another [Internet] revolution," Sprint hopes to "empower PMPs, video cameras, MP3s and more with internet access." I wasn't aware you could empower an MP3 with Internet access but, uh, I guess I'll take Sprint's word for it.

According to the company, the oddly-named Xohm service will cover 125 million people and could connect up to 130 million consumer electronic devices by 2010. What's more, that estimate doesn't include Clearwire's current coverage area, meaning the final tally could be even higher.

But what's the deal with that name? One theory has the symbol "X" standing for the number zero and the "Ohm" being, of course, the SI unit of electrical impedance--thus, "zero resistance." Another theory has the name coming from that of "Xohm, the Earthmother" from the "Dragon Isles of Ambar" RPG. While the origins of the "Xohm" name remain unknown, one thing is clear: the dudes at Sprint are huge nerds.

For more on the WiMAX buildout:
- read this press release