Shares in Clearwire gained $2.89, or 23 per cent, to $15.34 on Tuesday buoyed by reports that the US-based pioneer of 4G wireless broadband networks had resumed talks with Sprint Nextel, the struggling US mobile operator, about combining their planned WiMax networks.

Sprint, the third largest US operator, and Clearwire are reported to be discussing a joint venture that would attract funding from Intel, the US chipmaker and a leading proponent of WiMax technology. According to a Wall Street Journal report that cited unidentified sources, the two companies have also approached Google and Best Buy about possible financing.