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Are you in a CLEAR-covered market and wish you could have a WiMAX-ready device and CLEAR service.... but don't want to pay for it? No problem! Beginning Monday 11/16/09, CLEAR will be running a “CLEAR 6-Day Netbook Giveaway” promotion where they'll be giving away 30 WiMAX ready Netbooks from Samsung that come with 6 months of CLEAR Unlimited Mobile Internet! All you have to do is check out CLEAR's Twitter profile at www.twitter.com/clearinsider, and follow their @CLEARinsider updates beginning Monday for more details. Good luck!

 

While WiMAX is the only 4G technology currently available in the US, it is important to remember that a second competing 4G technology, LTE, will also be an option at some point. Sprint and Clearwire have a jump on the market with their WiMAX network, but both Verizon and AT&T are working on their own respective 4G LTE networks which will offer 4G users an alternative to choose from. Proponents of the two technologies hold a variety of opinions on which technology will be more successful, but many in the industry believe that BOTH can succeed and share the market - much like EVDO and HSPA have shared the 3G market. Information Week discussed the issue with the senior VP and general manager of Motorola's wireless networks unit, Bruce Brda, who has a unique perspective as Motorola is supplying much of the foundation products for both 4G technologies.

"Both WiMax and LTE can succeed," said Brda in an interview reported by Information Week. Interestingly, despite the fact that Verizon has promised to start rolling out their LTE network next year, Brda believes that WiMAX will maintain its "head start" for several years. LTE may eventually offer more robust networks than WiMAX, but WiMAX's head start will help it survive, as will the fact that WiMAX networks can be launched relatively cheaply and efficiently in areas that didn't have high-speed internet access before. As Brda pointed out, for many of those types of areas, once they have WiMAX access there will be no reason to make the switch to LTE once it becomes available.

Do you think WiMAX and LTE will share the 4G market? Or will one "beat" the other? Discuss on the 4G Forums.

 

 

The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Clearwire will be getting a major boost soon in the form of hefty contributions from its investors. Sprint, who owns 51% of Clearwire, will be investing $1 billion, and Comcast, Intel, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks - all of whom invested in the initial creation of the Clearwire company last year - have all agreed to contribute an additional $500 million. Noticeably absent from this list of investors is Google, who invested in Clearwire initially but is apparently not participating in this round of funding.

The money will be used to help Clearwire continue to expand their CLEAR WiMAX network. With Verizon planning on launching their 4G service, LTE, sometime in 2010, and AT&T to follow at some point thereafter, it is imperative that Clearwire continue expanding to take full advantage of a solid "head start" on their competitors.

Discuss the big investment in Clearwire on the 4G Forums

CLEAR's WiMAX service has been up and running in Philadelphia since early October (don't forget - you can check if CLEAR has coverage in your area using our CLEAR Coverage Tool!), but they finally made it "legit" this week with an official launch event. Below are some excerpts from the official press release from Clearwire announcing the launch:

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 5, 2009-- Clearwire Communications, LLC, an operating subsidiary of Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), announced today the expansion of its sales operations for CLEAR’s super fast mobile Internet service throughout the Philadelphia region. The company also named Andrew Kupiec as general manager for the Philadelphia market.

With CLEAR, consumers and businesses can access the Internet wirelessly, at true broadband speeds – at home, in the office, and on the go anywhere in the CLEAR coverage area. CLEAR covers 1000 square miles and approximately 3.6 million people in the Philadelphia market. Regionally, service extends as far north as Bucks County, south to the Delaware state line below the Philadelphia airport, east to Cherry Hill, NJ and west to the Phoenixville and Malvern areas.

“CLEAR is excited to bring to Philadelphia residents, businesses and visitors an Internet experience similar to what they’re used to having at home or the office, anywhere around town or on the go,” said Andrew Kupiec, Clearwire General Manager, Philadelphia. “We're pleased to provide this community a valuable new category of Internet service designed to make people’s lives more enjoyable and more productive.”

A CLEAR Difference

The CLEAR customer experience is similar to that provided by Wi-Fi, but without the short range limitations of a traditional Internet hot spot. CLEAR uses a wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi called WiMAX, which provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. Furthermore, CLEAR gives you average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps.*

As the Internet integrates deeper into daily life, the opportunities to stay connected and be productive are enhanced by CLEAR in numerous ways. For example:

• A mobile professional no longer needs to seek out Wi-Fi hotspots or be constrained by the speeds and limitations of 3G modem cards;
• A college student or retiree can now have affordable Internet service to meet their needs at home, on campus and on-the-go;
• A commuter can now work or access entertainment sites like Hulu or Pandora on the way home;
• A busy parent can now have full Internet connectivity for kids studying or playing games in the back of the family minivan.

For these and many other customers, CLEAR’s simple and innovative pricing provides ultimate flexibility. CLEAR’s mobile and residential plans can be purchased by the day or by the month, and with several no service contract options are available. Home Internet service plans start at $25 (U.S.) per month, while mobile Internet plans start at $35 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 $55 for both, or by signing up for a two-year service agreement. The dual-mode 4G/3G plan is available for just $70 per month with a two-year service agreement. Customers can find full details about pricing options, business plans and purchase the service online at www.clear.com, or by visiting other authorized CLEAR dealers.

CLEAR service is available online at Clear.com and beginning today at CLEAR retail stores and authorized dealer locations throughout the area. CLEAR retail stores are located at: 234 Mall Boulevard, 8532 Germantown Avenue, 2250 S. Columbus Blvd. and 540 South Street.

CLEAR service is also available from a number of other outlets including Best Buy and Radio Shack.

...

Philadelphia Launch Event, Community Outreach and Advertising

Clearwire will host a consumer launch event at Love Park (JFK Plaza, 1500 Arch Street) on Thursday, November 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The event will include service demonstrations, special guests, prizes and giveaways.

A new advertising initiative also debuts in the market beginning today, which includes a new television ad.

In addition, Clearwire will announce plans to provide dozens of embedded WiMAX laptops from Samsung to the St. Joseph’s University, Ignatian College Connection program. The laptops and CLEAR service will be offered to qualified high school students beginning in their freshman year as an additional resource for their educational pursuits.

“Supporting the communities we serve is a key focus for CLEAR,” added Kupiec. “Today’s event and donation to St. Joseph’s University Ignatian College Connection program is just the beginning of our commitment to the Philadelphia region. With these Samsung laptops and CLEAR service each student supported by this program will find new and interesting opportunities to learn and explore as they work toward pursuing higher education.”

 

CLEAR recently released a version of their connection manager software for Mac users (before that release, Mac users of the CLEAR USB device were out of luck [unless they used the device in a router]), but that version was only for OS 10.5. When they announced that release they noted that they would be releasing another version for Snow Leopard in October, but October came and went with no further mention of a version for Snow Leopard.

Finally today, the Snow Leopard drivers have become available for download at http://www.clear.com/support/download! Snow Leopard CLEAR users, enjoy!

As promised last week, Clear and Sprint have launched several new markets today: Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Dallas-Ft Worth, TX; Greensboro, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; High Point, NC; Raleigh, NC; Durham, NC; Chapel Hill, NC; and Cary, NC. Below is Sprint's press release announcing the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point launches:

Sprint Continues 4G Leadership with Launch in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point, N.C.

Sprint brings wireless speeds up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G from any national wireless carrier

GREENSBORO, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2009-- The wireless future just arrived in the Triad. Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the launch of Sprint 4G mobile broadband throughout the Piedmont Triad region. 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.

Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point are among 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 the Triad. 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 video streaming 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 Greensboro, Sprint is also launching 4G service today in Dallas-Ft.Worth; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago and Raleigh, N.C. Sprint 4G will launch later this month in the Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio. These follow 4G launches earlier this year in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Portland, as well as Abilene, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Bellingham, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; Corpus Christi, Texas; Killeen-Temple, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Midland-Odessa, Texas; Milledgeville, Ga.; Waco, Texas and Wichita Falls, Texas. Sprint also plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in these additional markets in 2009: Honolulu; Maui, Hawaii; Salem, Ore. 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 Greensboro 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.

As promised last week, Clear and Sprint have launched several new markets today: Chicago, IL; Charlotte, NC; Dallas-Ft Worth, TX; Greensboro, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; High Point, NC; Raleigh, NC; Durham, NC; Chapel Hill, NC; and Cary, NC. Below is Sprint's press release announcing the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Cary launch:

Sprint Continues 4G Leadership with Launch in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary, N.C.

Sprint brings wireless speeds up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G from any national wireless carrier

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 2009-- The wireless future just arrived in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary. Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced the launch of Sprint 4G mobile broadband throughout the Triangle. 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 Triangle, 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.

The Triangle is one of the first regions in the country 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 the Triangle. 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 video streaming 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 when Nextel Communications tested 4G in the Triangle in February 2004. Following this trial, Sprint became the first national wireless carrier to offer 4G when it launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. In addition to Raleigh, Sprint is also launching 4G service today in Dallas-Ft.Worth; Charlotte, N.C.; Chicago and Greensboro, N.C. Sprint 4G will launch later this month in the Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio. These follow 4G launches earlier this year in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Portland, as well as Abilene, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Bellingham, Wash.; Boise, Idaho; Corpus Christi, Texas; Killeen-Temple, Texas; Lubbock, Texas; Midland-Odessa, Texas; Milledgeville, Ga.; Waco, Texas and Wichita Falls, Texas. Sprint also plans to deploy Sprint 4G service in these additional markets in 2009: Honolulu; Maui, Hawaii; Salem, Ore. 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 Raleigh 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.