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Last month, we mentioned that Clearwire had signed international roaming deals with WiMAX operators in Moscow and Tokyo that allow Clear subscribers to "roam" on WiMAX networks in those countries. Now, Clear has partnered up with Aicent, Inc to demonstrate a similar inter-network roaming connection between WiMAX networks. In the demonstration, a USB modem modem enabled with CLEAR 4G WiMAX service username and password was used to gain access to a WiMAX network in Taiwan, showing the ease with which a CLEAR user could gain access to a non-CLEAR network abroad using Aicent’s WiMAX Roaming eXchange (WRX). 

Clearwire’s Senior Vice President of Global Ecosystem and Standards Ali Tabassi said this about the demonstration: “The future promise of WiMAX stretches beyond national borders to offer mobile data users the ability to connect wirelessly, at broadband speeds, wherever they may travel across the globe. The ability of WiMAX operators to work cooperatively in order to create seamless, simple and reliable international interoperability, as we have successfully demonstrated through Aicent’s facilities, will be crucial to realizing the tremendous social and economic potential of a truly connected world.”

 

 

 

 

Great news for 4G - Clearwire and Sprint have announced plans to expand their WiMAX network to quite a few more markets before the year is up! In November, WiMAX will launch in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina; Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, Texas; in December, Honolulu and Maui, Hawaii, will also go live.

Neither Clearwire nor Sprint has confirmed the exact dates of the launches, but we will be sure to post any information we find as soon as we find it!

Discuss these upcoming launches on the 4G Forums

 

 

We mentioned last week that Clear had launched 4G in Philadelphia, and now Sprint has quickly followed suit by announcing the addition of Philadelphia to their Sprint 4G network. Since Sprint uses Clear's WiMAX network for their 4G service, it is not surprising that their markets follow Clear's, but it is exciting that the Sprint 4G launch followed Clear's so quickly (for the first few launches, it took Sprint quite a while to include Clear's markets in their Sprint 4G service).

Below is the official press release from Sprint announcing the launch:

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 26, 2009-- The wireless future just arrived in Philadelphia. Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the launch of Sprint 4G mobile broadband throughout the Philadelphia area. As a result, streaming video, fast file downloads and uploads and turbo-charged web browsing are no longer just home, office or coffee shop benefits. Sprint 4G customers can enjoy a blazing fast wireless mobile broadband experience across the city, whether they’re working at a remote location, relaxing in the park, sitting at a favorite eatery or as a passenger on the freeway or public transportation – all for just a $10 per month premium over current Sprint 3G mobile data plans.

Philadelphia is one of the first cities to enjoy 4G wireless connections from Sprint, the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G delivers download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.¹ Sprint 4G is like a hotspot designed to reach across Philadelphia. View 4G coverage at www.sprint.com/4G.

By dramatically increasing download speeds for photos, videos and large files, Sprint 4G is enabling innovative applications now. With Sprint 4G, you can download a favorite sitcom or a large video in seconds, or watch streaming video on the go, not just at home. You can download songs and pictures in seconds, not minutes and share live video of events in real time while on the go, not just from the home or office.

Businesses are discovering that Sprint 4G is an effective, flexible, alternative for Internet connectivity that can both increase productivity and expand their capabilities. For example, retailers can implement cost-effective wireless voice and data solutions for their outlets; real estate agents can conduct virtual property tours; construction teams using 4G in the field can save valuable time by sharing schematics with engineers online; insurance companies can speed their claims management through real-time communication with on-site adjusters; educators can enhance distance learning with two-way interactive live video; health care professionals can improve their ability to remotely monitor patients; emergency first responders can rapidly assess and coordinate disaster action with real-time on-site video and audio; and photo-journalists can instantly transfer high-resolution images to the newsroom.

Sprint 4G extends the web experience to meet each person’s moment-to-moment mobile needs by using 4G data cards and routers and, in the future, laptop solutions and mobile phones that deliver rich content, larger file transfers, streaming video and low-latency remote access.

“Sprint continues to lead the charge in rolling out wireless 4G in cities across America and the momentum continues to build,” said Todd Rowley, vice president of Sprint 4G. “Our aggressive expansion of Sprint 4G will include many new devices and capabilities that create increased performance and productivity while enhancing personal lifestyles on the go.”

Sprint 4G powered by WiMAX is expanding across the country

Sprint made history by launching 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. In addition to Philadelphia, Sprint also launched 4G service recently in the Texas cities of Abilene, Killeen-Temple, Corpus Christi, Waco, Wichita Falls, Amarillo and Midland-Odessa. These follow 4G launches earlier this year in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, Bellingham, Wash., and Boise, Idaho. Sprint also plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in these additional markets in 2009: Chicago; Dallas-Ft. Worth; Austin, Texas; Charlotte, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Honolulu; Maui, Hawaii; Raleigh, N.C.; Salem, Ore.; San Antonio and Seattle.

In 2010, Sprint expects to launch service in multiple markets, including Boston, Houston, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Sprint customers in Philadelphia can start enjoying 4G today with the 3G/4G USB Modem U300, the first device from any national wireless carrier to offer access to both 3G and 4G – practically future-proofing wireless technology for its customers. Sprint customers can take advantage of America’s most dependable 3G network² when outside of 4G coverage. For a limited time, customers can benefit from a 4G promotion allowing them to get the dual-mode device for free after a $50 mail-in rebate for consumers and instant rebates for business clients (excludes taxes) with a two-year agreement. Sprint is currently offering new 4G/3G data plans for consumers at $69.99 monthly with unlimited 4G and 4G/3G data plans for businesses at $69.99 with unlimited 4G and unlimited 3G on the Sprint network³ (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).

For those who live and work outside of a Sprint 4G service area, but find themselves in a 4G service area, Sprint offers a 3G-only plan at $59.99 per month with the U300. Customers can then purchase a 4G day-pass when they visit any Sprint 4G service areas. The $10 day-pass enables Sprint 4G on their device for 24 hours.

Customers in Sprint 4G service areas can purchase the U300 and sign up for 4G/3G plans at select Sprint retail stores, select Best Buy stores and local retailers. Customers who are not yet in a current Sprint 4G service area can purchase the dual-mode U300, 3G plans and 4G day passes via Sprint telesales at 1-800-Sprint-1 or online at www.sprint.com/4G.

Sprint has several new 4G devices planned for 2009 and 2010, including a single-mode 4G data card, embedded laptops and a 4G phone.

Sprint is harnessing the power of 4G as the largest shareholder of Clearwire with a 51 percent stake in this independent company that is building the WiMAX network. Sprint is the only national wireless carrier to offer 4G services on the Clearwire WiMAX network.

A new hybrid 3G (EVDO) and 4G (WiMax) modem is coming from Sprint soon.  This device will replace the U300 that is currently shipping now.  We expect this device to offer full Mac Support along with hybrid 3G/4G support.  When you are in a 4G native area, you will get 4G speeds, when you are not, the modem will drop down to 3G.

We expect the Sprint 3G / 4G USB Modem U301 to be available before the end of 2009.  The U301 is made by Franklin Wireless and replaces the first 4G modem called the U300.

If you would like to be notified when this is available, send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

December 1, 2009 will mark the release of Time Warner's 4G Road Runner Mobile service. The service will be available initially in the Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh-Durham markets. Time Warner owns a 4.5% share of Clearwire, and in the same fashion as Comcast, will be running their service on the back of Clearwire's network. This also indicates that Clear is on schedule to be providing service in those markets by December 1st. Time Warner also expects to launch this service in Dallas by the year's end, and provide Maui and Honolulu, HI with service in early 2010. The Franklin U300 and the Motorola w100 modems will be providing service to Road Runner Mobile customers.  Time Warner is offering 3 Types of plans to customers, each are similar to the Clear counterparts. There is a 4G/3G plan for $79.95/month which will work on the Sprint network for 3G, an Unlimited 4G plan for $49.95/month and a 2GB limit 4G plan for $39.95/month. All of the Road Runner Mobile plans require a bundle with another Time Warner service

 

Philly Gets Clear!!

 

 

Clearwire has launched its latest market today, Philadelphia joins the list of cities where consumers can take advantage of Clear's "Super Fast Mobile Internet". This latest launch takes place in the same fashion as the others, with a "soft" launch when service becomes available to consumers, followed up with an official launch paired with the opening of retail stores in the area. Philadelphia is among several other major cities expected to get service from Clear before the year is up, including Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Honolulu, Maui and Seattle-Tacoma. We'll have more information pertaining to the official launch as it draws nearer, so check back with us often!

 

Discuss the launch on 4Gforums.com

Cradlepoint announces 4G compatible MBR1200 Router

 

Cradlepoint recently released their newest addition to their mobile broadband router lineup with built in support for several 4G devices. As it ships the Clear USB w100 modem is compatible, as well as the Sprint U300 4G/3G modem. The router has support for up to 3 USB type Mobile broadband devices, 1 Expresscard and 1 PCMCIA card in a load balanced configuration. The router also includes 802.11n Wifi networking as well as Gigabit ethernet for blazing fast connections. Cradlepoint's newest router will certainly include support for upcoming 4G devices via future firmware updates.

The MBR1200 is available from 3Gstore - add to cart to see the low price!!

Discuss the MBR1200 on 4Gforums!