Sprint Nextel plans to sell a high-speed wireless phone from Motorola Mobility , the Photon 4G, this summer, the U.S. mobile device maker's first to be based on the carrier's new WiMax technology.

Motorola initially held off producing WiMax phones -- touted as faster than current devices -- as top U.S. services Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc moved to rival high-speed technologies.

But Motorola has recently pushed heavily to win new operator customers after Verizon Wireless started selling the Apple Inc iPhone in February.

Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. mobile provider, is also aiming to distinguish itself with advanced devices as it faces tough competition from bigger and smaller rivals.

(Reporting by Sinead Carew; editing by John Wallace)

(This story was corrected in the first paragraph to remove mention of Triumph, which is not a WiMax phone)

Broadband Sprint Motorola Phone