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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-08-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001374993</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NextWave Wireless Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>wave</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001317338</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue Capital Management II, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001450166</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue International Master, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001003215</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue Investments, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001338744</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue Special Situations Fund IV LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AVENUE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT II, L.P.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>399 PARK AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001382345</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue CDP Global Opportunities Fund LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>16TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>New York</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001450165</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue AIV US, L.P.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001401178</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Avenue Special Situations Fund V LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE, 6TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>THIRD LIEN SUBORDINATED SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>77.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>104601790</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-10-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1352317</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>THIRD LIEN SUBORDINATED SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>77.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>47846536</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-10-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>618571</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>THIRD LIEN SUBORDINATED SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>77.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>29458220</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-10-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>380843</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>THIRD LIEN SUBORDINATED SECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>77.35</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-08-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionTotalValue>
                    <value>32709655</value>
                </transactionTotalValue>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-10-09</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>422878</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Effective August 16, 2012, the Third Lien Subordinated Secured Convertible Notes (the &quot;Third Lien Notes&quot;) were amended and restated.  In connection with such amendment and restatement, the Third Lien Notes were split into two series to provide that certain of Nextwave Wireless, Inc.'s (the &quot;Issuer&quot;) obligations to the holders of the Third Lien Notes remain with the Issuer (including, an obligation in respect of the repayment of outstanding obligations of $325 million by the Issuer to such holders) and the remaining principal balance of the Third Lien Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest as of August 16, 2012, become direct obligations of a new holding company formed by the Issuer (&quot;Nextwave Holdco&quot;).  (SEE FOOTNOTE NO. 2 FOR CONTINUATION.)</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">(CONTINUATION OF FOOTNOTE NO. 1.)  Nextwave Holdco was formed in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Issuer by AT&amp;T Inc. by means of a merger to hold all of the Issuer's assets other than its Wireless Communication Services and Advanced Wireless Services wireless spectrum licenses and other assets related thereto.   In connection with the amendment and restatement of the Third Lien Notes, the Third Lien Notes were amended to remove the conversion feature and are no longer convertible into shares of common stock of the Issuer.  The transactions reported herein reflect the fact that the Third Lien Notes held by the reporting persons are no longer convertible into common stock of the Issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The number of shares reflects the aggregate principal amount of the Third Lien Notes (including Payment In Kind (&quot;PIK&quot;) interest) divided by the conversion price of $77.35 (the conversion price was previously $11.05 but was adjusted on June 21, 2010 to reflect the Issuer's 1-for-7 reverse stock split).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The securities are owned directly by Avenue International Master, L.P. (&quot;Avenue International&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The securities are owned directly by Avenue Investments, L.P. (&quot;Avenue Investments&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The securities are owned directly by Avenue Special Situations Fund IV, L.P. (&quot;Avenue Special Situations&quot;).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">The securities are owned directly by Avenue CDP Global Opportunities Fund, L.P. (&quot;Avenue Global Opportunities&quot;).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This report is jointly filed by Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. (&quot;Adviser&quot;) and the Adviser is the adviser to Avenue AIV US, LP, Avenue International, Avenue Investments, Avenue Special Situations, Avenue Global Opportunities, and Avenue Special Situations V, L.P. (collectively, the &quot;Funds&quot;).  The Funds have made an investment in the Issuer.

EXHIBIT LIST: Exhibit 24 - Power of Attorney (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 24.2 to the Form 3/A filed by the Adviser and other joint filers on July 27, 2010.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC , the General Partner of Avenue Capital Management II, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of Avenue International Master Fund GenPar, Ltd., the General Partner of Avenue International Master, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of Avenue Partners, LLC, the General Partner of Avenue Investments, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of GL Partners IV, LLC, the Managing Member of Avenue Capital Partners IV, LLC, the General Partner of Avenue Special Situations Fund IV, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of Avenue Global Opportunities Fund GenPar, LLC, the General Partner of Avenue CDP Global Opportunities Fund, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of Avenue AIV US GenPar, LLC, the General Partner of Avenue AIV US, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Eric Ross as attorney-in-fact for Marc Lasry, Managing Member of GL Partners V, LLC, the Managing Member of Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC, the General Partner of Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-08-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
