Google sells off Clearwire stake for $47 million  The search
giant doesn't say why it wants to get out of Clearwire, but it
might have something to do with Clearwire's recent funding
troubles and perceived weakness.  Clearwire has lost an
important, but small, shareholder.  Google earlier this month
sent letters to both Comcast and Sprint, informing the companies
that it plans to divest its ownership in Clearwire for $47
million. That sum, which is derived from Google's sale of 29.4
million shares at $1.60 apiece, is actually a discount on
Clearwire's current stock price of $2.27.  Google didn't say in
the letters, dated February 7 and 16, respectively, why it has
decided to step away from Clearwire. But based on Clearwire's
recent funding troubles and perceived weakness, it's not much of
a surprise.  Over the past several years, Clearwire has been
posting huge losses. In the past four years alone, the company
has lost nearly $2 billion, leaving its major shareholder,
Sprint Nextel, in the unenviable position