Clearwire WiMAX Hits Vegas

Clearwire Communications LLC, an operating subsidiary of Clearwire Corp. (CLWR), rolled out CLEAR mobile Internet service to serve approximately 1.7 million residents across 638 square miles in Las Vegas.

In addition to Las Vegas, the CLEAR mobile WiMAX service is already available in Baltimore, Md.; Portland, Ore.; and Atlanta. Clearwire plans to bring CLEAR to 80 markets covering up to 120 million people by the end of 2010. Some of the additional markets planned to launch in 2009 include Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia, and Seattle. Some of the additional markets planned to launch in 2010 include New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston and the San Francisco Bay Area.

In addition to the Vegas launch, the company also announced that, starting Aug. 1, it will offer the Clear 4G+ mobile USB, a dual-mode 4G/3G modem for customers who travel outside of CLEAR 4G coverage areas that uses Sprint’s nationwide 3G network. Owners of Apple Macintosh laptops will be able to connect to the CLEAR network using a USB modem beginning Aug. 17 with the introduction of the Clear Connection Manager software for Mac. Dual-mode Clear 4G+ mobile USB service is expected to be available for Macs in fourth quarter 2009.

CLEAR delivers a mobile broadband internet experience on par with speeds typically experienced on wired connections. While 3G wireless networks typically deliver download speeds of between 1 and 1.7 mbps, CLEAR offers download speeds of 3 to 6mbps with bursts of more than 10mbps. The CLEAR network utilizes an area-wide WiMAX radio system from Motorola.

Clearwire is using the Ciena Corp. LE-311v Service Delivery Switches, CN 5305 Service Aggregation Switches and Ethernet Services Manager software for its 4G backhaul solution.

CLEAR’s mobile and residential plans can be purchased by the day or by the month, and with several no service contract options available. Home internet service plans start at $20 per month, while mobile internet plans start at $30 per month, or customers can purchase a convenient day pass for $10. Additional savings are available for customers by purchasing a combination of services that could include home-and-mobile or mobile-and-mobile internet plans starting at $45 for both, or by signing up for a two-year service agreement. The dual-mode 4G/3G plan is available for just $80 per month with a two-year service agreement.

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