Sprint Nextel and wireless broadband provider Clearwire are reportedly back in talks about combining their efforts for a national WiMAX network. According to reports, the two are discussing a joint deal that they hope will attract funding from other WiMAX backers such as Intel. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the two also have approached Google and electronics store Best Buy about financing.

Sprint, which has started rolling out a WiMAX network in parts of the country, has said that it hopes to reach 100 million consumers by the end of this year. Analysts have speculated that the struggling carrier will not have the funds to actually build out the network on deadline.

Last year, Sprint and Clearwire announced a WiMAX partnership, but talks fell apart as Sprint ousted then-president Gary Forsee and continued to lose wireless subscribers.

Reports now speculate that Sprint is looking to spin-off its WiMAX unit and to merge the unit with Clearwire.