The company definitely seems confident about its upcoming network, with Erik Prusch, President and CEO of Clearwire, saying that the network “will show that not all LTE networks are created equal.” Clearwire cite the ever shrinking available spectrum, and how it will leverage its own to bring high speed access on a wholesale basis.

Google jumped ship from Clearwire last month after selling its existing stock in the company well below the market value. Google didn’t offer up specific reasons for its exit, although Clearwire’s WiMAX prospects never fully panned out, and its LTE network will be coming up against strong competition from AT&T and Verizon.

Despite the sale, Clearwire recently signed a deal with Cricket Wireless that would see the budget provider making use of Clearwire’s LTE service when it does eventually go live. Cricket has its own fledgling LTE network, but will piggyback on Clearwire’s spectrum as part of a wholesale agreement to offer an LTE service in urban areas.

WarpSpeed, the faster option, promises download rates of up to 10Mbps. However, there’s also LightSpeed, which limits it to 1Mbps; users can switch between them on-the-fly, with no impact on subscription fees.

Plans start at subscription-free with the purchase of either the $99.95 hotspot or $49.95 USB modem, which gets you 200MB per month for a year. $9.95 gets 500MB, $19.95 gets 1GB and $34.95 gets 2GB. Finally, $49.95 gets 4GB per month.

NetZero is also promising no overage fees: if users reach their data limit, they get an alert and the option to either buy a top-up for more data immediately, upgrade to a higher-capacity plan, or wait it out until the next month.

There’s no mention of the network NetZero is actually using – the carrier is an MVNO, reselling 4G service rather than setting up its own network – but the company inked a deal with Clearwire in early 2011 so it seems this is WiMAX rather than LTE.

Sprint and Comcast will have first dibs on the stock, according to the terms of the investors’ agreement. Google has given no specific reasons for why it wants to exit Clearwire at this point, though the carrier’s WiMAX fortunes have not exactly proved glowing in recent months. A general shift toward faster LTE by AT&T and Verizon, among others, has led to suggestions that WiMAX has had its day.

“Google periodically rebalances its investments based on its goals and its evaluation of market conditions” Google letter to Clearwire

Clearwire itself lent weight to those rumors when it announced plans for LTE development of its own back in August 2011. A later deal with China Mobile to promote LTE seemed to confirm that it too had changed its focus.

Of course, Google has plenty in telecoms on its hands anyway, with the impending acquisition of Motorola Mobility.

[via StreetInsider - Thanks Andrew!]

Each of these devices is able to be coupled with a $35 a month “unlimited 4G” plan, but know this: we’ve heard more than a few people complain that Clear has been throttling their data speeds after something so simple as a single streamed movie. It’s no kind customer you’re going to get, Clearwire, if you’re only tending to the people who use your data for checking email. That sort of customer is soon to be extinct, mark my words.

The specifications here are quite similar to last year’s Clear Spot 4G Apollo, though here we’ve got a cheaper price as well as one less screen to worry about. Both of these devices are tiny enough to be portable all day long, and you’ll certainly want to test one out if you get the chance before pulling the trigger. They look fabulous, and they’ve got OK potential, but if you’re used to Verizon’s LTE network, for example, you’re going to have a rude awakening when you expect the 4G here to be the same.

According to Bloomberg, three people familiar with the situation say that the carrier is still in
early talks and that there could be several scenarios. Sprint could raise funding among cable partners such as Comcast, Cablevision, and Cox, to jointly buyout Clearwire or simply invest further in the company. Clearwire has stated before that it needs an additional $600 million in order to build out its LTE network.

This deal with Sprint may be appealing for cable companies as it would allow them to compete more effectively against telephone rivals such as AT&T and Verizon, which both offer landline, wireless, internet and TV bundles. This deal is especially significant for Sprint as it is now struggling in third place and could be in big trouble should the AT&T and T-Mobile merger go through. Having a more popular LTE network over its WiMAX network will help it compete.

[via Bloomberg]

LTE 4G technology has been gaining huge momentum with plenty of marketing from Verizon, which has been rapidly building out its 4G LTE network with the goal of 175 markets by year-end. AT&T’s 4G LTE network also begun rolling out, although starting just this summer, with a lesser goal of 15 markets by year-end.

Clearwire has been testing LTE since last year, but today the announcement confirms the transition. During trials, the company has been able to achieve cleanroom speeds as high as 120Mbps. Its LTE network will be ready for LTE Advanced, which is the logical next step. It will operate at the 2.5GHz spectrum that it already uses for WiMAX, which will also give it more flexibility in deployment. In contrast, AT&T and Verizon use the 700MHz spectrum.

The rollout will target high-demand areas first, however, an exact timeline hasn’t been given. Plus, since Clearwire is a wholesale network provider, it will also depend on whether the yellow carrier is willing to pay, since T-Mobile may merge with AT&T before the end of the year.

[via Clearwire]

From the image above, we can see that the Clear Spot 4G has just a slight redesign with rounded corners rather than the diamond cut form of last year’s Clear Spot 4G+ hotspot, which also looks very similar to the NowNetwork’s Overdrive Pro hotspot. It’s not surprising since the two companies are partners in developing the 4G WiMAX network and the 4G+ was able to hop on to either company’s network.

The new Clear Spot 4G mobile hotspot’s small LCD screen displays signal strength, network, battery levels, and WiFi network ID. It can also connect up to eight devices. However, no pricing or release date information is available yet.

[via Wireless Goodness]

That’s a shame, because back when we reviewed the Rover Puck we found it to be a decent little hotspot. Although there’s no 3G fall-back – which would have increased the price, since it would demand roaming off of Clearwire’s WiMAX network – you can share a connection with up to eight users simultaneously; most mobile hotspots limit that number to five.

In fact, Clearwire’s hotspot range is looking pretty barren right now, with only the CLEAR Spot 4G – from last year – currently available, and as a refurb at that. Sales of the Rover Puck (or its Rover Stick USB modem counterpart) have already halted. Clearwire announced its Q1 2011 financial results yesterday, with revenues up 142-percent from the previous year.

Morrow will be temporarily replaced by current board of directors chairman John Stanton, the former CEO of Western Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless. Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer, and Kevin Hart, CIO, have both announced their intention to leave Clearwire, “to pursue other opportunities.”

The company claims the exec exits will not impact its ongoing wholesale negotiations with Sprint, an agreement on which it expects is “imminent.” The two carriers had disagreed over profit sharing, and Sprint had suggested it could look instead to an LTE network.

Press Release:

CLEARWIRE NAMES CHAIRMAN JOHN STANTON AS INTERIM CEO

Kirkland, Wash., March 10, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Clearwire (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of 4G wireless broadband services in the U.S., today announced changes to the company’s executive leadership team.

John Stanton, chairman of Clearwire’s board of directors and former CEO of Western Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless, has been named CEO of Clearwire on an interim basis, effective immediately. Stanton will continue to serve in his role as board chairman.

Stanton replaces Bill Morrow who has resigned as CEO and as a director of the board, citing personal reasons. Morrow will continue to serve as an advisor to the company during the transition period. The company has appointed a search committee, chaired by board member Dennis Hersch, to lead the hiring process for a new CEO.

“I would like to commend Bill for his tremendous leadership in building the first U.S. 4G network, adding more than 5 million subscribers, and raising funds in a challenging economic environment,” said John Stanton. “Bill built a strong leadership team which enables us to promote Erik Prusch and Hope Cochran to new roles. Together, the entire management team at Clearwire remains focused on delivering value to its customers and shareholders.”

Other Executive Appointments

As part of today’s announcement, Erik Prusch, Clearwire’s CFO, has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO). In this position, Prusch will be responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, including wholesale and retail sales, marketing, customer service, supply chain, human resources, IT and network operations. In addition, Hope Cochran, Clearwire’s senior vice president and treasurer, has been promoted to the position of CFO. Cochran will be responsible for all of the company’s financial and investor related functions, including overseeing Clearwire’s ongoing fundraising efforts.

The company also announced that Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer, and Kevin Hart, CIO, are both leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Both Sievert and Hart will remain with the company for a transition period. “We thank Mike and Kevin for their service and contributions during an incredible period of growth for Clearwire, and we wish them continued success in the future,” said Stanton.

Today’s changes in executive leadership are not expected to impact the company’s progress on an agreement with Sprint to resolve wholesale pricing disputes. Clearwire believes that an agreement with Sprint is imminent.

Stanton has held numerous leadership positions during his career in the wireless industry. He currently serves as chairman of the board of Trilogy Partnerships including Trilogy International Partners which operates wireless systems in Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bolivia and New Zealand. Stanton served as chairman and CEO of Western Wireless Corporation from 1992 until its acquisition by ALLTEL Corporation in 2005. From 1994 to 2003, Stanton served as chairman and CEO of VoiceStream Wireless Corporation, which was sold to Deutsche Telecom and became T-Mobile USA.

That gives Sprint and Clearwire time to negotiate their ongoing dispute over wholesale profit sharing. Earlier in the week, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse suggested that, while “Our Plan A is together with Clearwire, but we do have a Plan B … If we don’t reach agreement, we will go and do our own thing.” Subsequently, however, Hesse said he believed the pricing dispute would likely be resolved.

That could mean the LTE talk was Sprint playing hardball, trying to persuade Clearwire that it was willing to go it alone should negotiations not fall in its favor. However, with LTE catching on not only with Verizon’s network in the US, but appearing on the roadmaps of European and Asian carriers, it’s possible that Sprint may decide to switch on the basis of compatibility.

[via DigitalTrends]

According to the report, the company does not plan to immediately shut down its 140 retail stores throughout the nation and has not confirmed a timeline yet. It is likely that more details will surface on February 17th when they announce their quarterly earnings.

Clearwire’s major investor, Sprint, has been against their retail operations strategy since the beginning as it competes against Sprint’s brand and takes cash away from finishing network expansion. It is speculated that with this new strategy to shutdown the retail operation Sprint may further fund the company.

Update: Clearwire has been in touch to point out that the story is something the Wall Street Journal reported based on unnamed sources.  Clearwire did not officially announce anything today and has no comment on the story. The company has scheduled its Q4 financial results announcement for Feb 17 and will have more information on future plans at that time.

[Via MocoNews]

Some users on the Clear forums are now reporting that they have been told that the iSpot has been discontinued. User darrelllynn wrote, “Clear today discontinued iSpot. In fact, most representatives were in the dark as of this afternoon. Did any of you hear differently?”

Later in the thread, a Clear rep chimed in and confirmed that after the current stock of iSpot devices are sold out in retail locations no more will be ordered. The thing that many owners wondered about is if the service would be continued. The rep said that the service would continue to be supported and that there were some of the iSpot devices held back to serve as warranty replacements if needed.

“Mr. McCaw served as Chairman of the Board of the Company for over 2 years, and served as the Chairman of the Company’s predecessor entity for more than 5 years. Mr. McCaw’s decision to resign is not due to any disagreements with the Company on any matters relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices” Clearwire SEC filing

Clear has come under renewed 4G competition in recent months, with Verizon launching its own 4G LTE network and T-Mobile offering high-speed HSPA+. The carrier has recently axed its CLEAR iSpot Apple-centric mobile hotspot, which offered cut-price 4G service to iPad and other Apple device users, but which modders discovered was readily tweaked to support any WiFi-enabled hardware.

[via BusinessWeek]

You’ll obviously need a WiMAX-compatible device to make the most of the 4G connection, such as the HTC EVO 4G, but Sprint reckons subscribers can expect downloads ten times faster than with 3G wireless. The carrier is under pressure from arch-rival Verizon, which launched its own 4G network – based on LTE technology – earlier this month.

Press Release:

Tech Lovers Rejoice! The San Francisco Bay Area is Wired with Sprint 4G

The Power and Speed of Sprint 4G is Now Available in 71 Markets Nationwide

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 28, 2010 – Today, Sprint (NYSE:S) officially unleashed the power of 4G in one of the world’s largest hotbeds of technological creativity and advancement – the San Francisco Bay Area. The new mobile broadband service from Sprint enables fast mobile downloads, wireless video chat and turbo-charged mobile Web browsing up to 10 times faster than 3G service1. The service will initially be available in San Francisco, San Jose, Palo Alto and Oakland. Nationwide, tech enthusiasts are enjoying the power and speed of the Sprint 4G network, in 71 markets2 across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City.

The Sprint 4G Network can be accessed with a wide range of 3G/4G capable devices. For example, tourists can snap a photo of a San Francisco landmark with their Samsung Epic™ 4G and use Google Goggles to pull up facts about it by using visual search technology. Customers can video chat on their HTC EVO™ 4G, and families traveling for the holidays can power up the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot to share 4G speeds with up to five WiFi-enabled devices – such as an iPad™, laptop, iPod Touch™ or game console – making downloads, streaming video and Web browsing fast and easy. For students, consumers and small businesses that rely on Internet access, Web browsing and social networking to stay connected, Sprint also offers Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 (1012) netbook designed to deliver maximum connectivity in a compact size.

“The Bay Area is responsible for creating so much new technology and today we are bringing the power of 4G to our customers in that region who are hungry for fast mobile broadband,” said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. “The introduction of Sprint 4G will be a great asset for this area, and we encourage customers to try it by using one of our well-regarded 4G mobile devices.”

The Bay Area’s own Raj Singh of San Jose was one of five winners of the Sprint 4G App Challenge. Singh developed an innovative application to help food lovers be more productive in the kitchen. His application, Recipe Search, is a reverse recipe finder app. The user simply speaks the ingredients they have in their refrigerator or pantry and will then see a display of meals with directions for creating something with those ingredients.

Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and since then has delivered a robust portfolio of 4G devices, including smartphones, USB aircards, notebook/netbook products, mobile hotspots and routers, that are currently being used by consumers and businesses across the country.

For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Novatel has slapped a confidentiality agreement on the juicier parts of the filing, so there are no test photos nor user guide to peruse, only the MiFi 4082 label able. Still, back in February the company was happily gloating over seeing 18Mbps throughput in their WiMAX MiFi testing, with a theoretical peak of over 30Mbps downlink and 10Mbps uplink.

Real-world speeds will obviously be lower, but the market for WiMAX mobile hotspots is still pretty scarce – Sprint’s Overdrive is the only example the carrier offers – and so if Novatel get the pricing, size and battery life right, the MiFi 4082 could still be a winner despite the amount of time its taking to get to market. Still, the company has a lot to do when it comes to pricing; Clear is offering its own WiMAX hotspots at heavily reduced prices this week.

[via Engadget]

The iSpot – which is locked down to wirelessly connecting to Apple devices, though there are various hacks out there if you’re feeling unofficially ambitious – is usually $79. Meanwhile there are two-for-one offers on USB modems, or – as of tomorrow – you can pick up a USB CLEAR modem and get a free home modem too.

[Thanks AJ!]

R3 Media Network

Android Community
SPB TV v2.0 released: Free mobile TV with VoD
Samsung grabs US Android sales top-spot in Q3 2010
Dell Streak gets battery meter tweak
Gameloft’s Dungeon Hunter for Android goes free for one day only
Samsung hit 1m Galaxy Tab sales early; predict 1.5m by end of year
Android Market gets new Similar tab for some users
GameString brings Warcraft to Android [WOW] [IMAGE ABOVE]
Best Buy offers free Android phones for Christmas
T-Mobile UK Responds to delayed Galaxy S 2.2 Update
Android Flash Player Updated 10.1.105.7

SlashGear
Sony BRAVIA KDL22PX300 integrates PS2 and 720p HDTV
UFOs mentioned in WikiLeaks cables confirms Julian Assange
Txtr ereader reportedly erased
CLEAR Modem with WiFi wants to replace your DSL
Sony Ericsson LiveView [REVIEW]
Uranium soap glows radioactively
Japanese battery makes power from vibrations
GSLO applies to Apple MFi program for Peel 520
Professor in NYC installs camera in head
Orange offers cheap subsidized iPad
Speck offers new PixelSkin HD case for HTC HD7 smartphone [SUPER CUTE]
Prosecution in Xbox 360 modder case drops charges
Best Buy offers free Android phones just in time for Christmas
FTC testifies before Congress on Do Not Track list
Kaleidescape debuts Cinema One movie server
Google +1 social network now involving Sergey Brin?
Vonage offers users free calls to Santa for Christmas
Inventec HP webOS tablet & Oak Trail slates in Q1 2011; ASUS Core i5 tablet by end of year tipped
Google pays $1 compensation in Street View privacy case
WikiLeaks: Amazon denies government pressure; DNS yanked & servers moved to Switzerland
Parrot AR.Drone gets grounded in new teardown
mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 4 packs biggest battery so far

To see more wrap-up posts, follow the following tags: [The Daily Slash] or [SlashGear Morning Wrap-up]

There’s also a single ethernet port for hooking up a wired computer, and a simple five LED signal strength gauge. What we’d really like to see is a WAN port for using the router with a cable/DSL modem, opening up the possibility of either coupling the bandwidth from two connections, or keeping the WiMAX as a fall-back should the hardline go down.

The CLEAR Modem with WiFi is available now, priced at $120 outright or $7 per month leased. It’s available with month-to-month or two-year agreements, with service plans starting at $35/month (plus tax); CLEAR Voice can be added for $15/month (plus tax).

Sprint reckons subscribers to its 4G service will see download rates of around 3-6 Mbps, versus 600-1.7 Mbps for traditional 3G. More information at www.sprint.com/4G.

Press Release:

Sprint 4G Rolls Out in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio

Sprint Expands the Power and Immediacy of 4G to 68 Markets Nationwide

San Francisco Market expected to launch 4G Service on Dec. 28

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 29, 2010 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today officially unleashed the power of 4G – enabling fast mobile downloads, wireless video chat and turbo-charged mobile Web browsing up to 10 times faster than 3G service1 – in Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Customers in these metropolitan areas can now take full advantage of the Sprint 4G network using a wide range of 4G-capable devices. With the addition of these six markets, Sprint 4G is now available in 68 markets2 across the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York City. Additionally, the wireless carrier announced that it expects to launch the San Francisco market – home to Silicon Valley and thousands of tech enthusiasts – on Dec. 28.

How will 4G benefit Sprint customers in these areas? With the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, a visitor to Washington, D.C., (including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland) can connect to the Internet with a laptop or any Wi-Fi enabled device to check the news at speeds that are up to 10 times faster than 3G. A hungry tourist in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach can search for the best food truck in their vicinity using one of the food-truck applications in the Android™ Market on Samsung Epic™ 4G. If sports fans in Cleveland, Cincinnati or Columbus are looking for up-to-date scores, no problem – it’s easy and quick to find on HTC EVO™ 4G. And, surfers in Los Angeles can forgo the waves and surf the Internet on-the-go using the first 3G/4G-embedded netbook and notebook from Sprint – the Dell™ Inspiron™ Mini 10 (1012) netbook and Dell™ Inspiron™ 11z notebook.

“We have witnessed a great demand from our customers for 4G speeds, power and capabilities in these cities already and today they officially have it,” said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. “We are proud to deliver on our commitment to serve our customers and deliver 4G to more major metropolitan areas in 2010.”

Sprint first launched 4G in Baltimore in September 2008 and since then has delivered a comprehensive consumer, business and public sector strategy and a robust portfolio of devices, consisting of phones, USB aircards, notebook/netbook products, mobile hotspots and routers, that are being used by satisfied consumers and businesses.

To get an insider’s view about how Sprint is making sure that 4G is ready for its customers, visit the YouTube Web video series “Wiring Up 4G.” Videos are available for Los Angeles and New York City.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

1 “Up to 10x faster” based on download speed comparison of 3G’s 600 kbps vs. 4G’s 6 Mbps. Industry published 3G avg. speeds (600 kbps-1.7 Mbps); 4G avg. speeds (3-6 Mbps). Actual speeds may vary by plan or based on other factors.

You can check coverage in NYC here, though be warned it’s not all-pervasive.  WiMAX is still a work in progress, so devices like the HTC EVO 4G also pack 3G connectivity as well for roll-back purposes.  Some of Clear and Sprint’s standalone modems or mobile hotspots do not, however, though there’s usually a price advantage in that case.

Press Release:

Sprint Unveils First 4G Mobile Network in the Big Apple

Sprint Expands the Power and Immediacy of 4G to 61 Markets, Now Available in New York City, Hartford, New Haven, New Brunswick, Trenton and Tampa

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), November 01, 2010 – The wait is over, starting today, Sprint (NYSE:S) 4G – the next generation in wireless service – is available to customers in New York City, Hartford, New Haven, New Brunswick, Trenton and Tampa. With Sprint 4G, wireless customers can experience mobile downloads, video chat capabilities and turbo-charged Web browsing up to 10 times faster than 3G service1 – all on the first wireless 4G network from a national carrier.

Customers around the country can take advantage of the Sprint 4G Network with a range of 4G-capable devices already available from Sprint. New Yorkers and tourists visiting the Big Apple can quickly access information about the latest Broadway shows and find the latest, greatest places to eat with their Samsung Epic™ 4G and use Google Goggles to pull up facts about each using visual search technology powered by Sprint 4G. They can use video chat on their HTC EVO™ 4G to show friends a live view of Yankee Stadium, and coffee-house dwellers can power up the Overdrive™ 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot to share 4G speeds with up to five WiFi-enabled devices – such as an iPad™, laptop, camera or game console – making downloads, streaming video and Web browsing fast.

“Sprint has provided customers with 4G service since 2008 and we’re proud to extend our leadership to six more cities today, including New York City,” said Matt Carter, president of Sprint 4G. “Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to make 4G a reality for our customers and with the addition of these six new markets we are now in 61 cities, including Chicago, Baltimore and Houston, and are growing. By the end of the year Sprint 4G plans to light up several major new markets including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Denver and Washington DC to name a few.”

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Each will have their own branding and market offering, though we can’t imagine there’ll be much competition on price at first.  Of course, that will likely all change when Verizon turn on their LTE networks, also promised for the end of this year.

Press Release:

Clearwire, Sprint and Time Warner Cable to Launch 4G in New York City
4G Mobile Broadband Coming to New York City on November 1
Clearwire to Offer CLEAR(R)
Sprint to Offer Sprint 4G
Time Warner Cable to Offer Time Warner Cable Mobile Internet
KIRKLAND, Wash. & OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & NEW YORK, Oct 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), Sprint (NYSE: S) and Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC) today announced plans to launch their respective 4G mobile internet services in New York later this year. Each of the companies will offer 4G services under their own 4G brand.

Clearwire, Sprint and Time Warner Cable will each launch commercial 4G service in New York City on November 1, with official launch events and retail store openings to follow in each market. Consumers and businesses should expect to see additional network expansions throughout New York City, along with a wide-range of independent marketing and advertising initiatives.

The 4G customer experience from Clearwire, Sprint, and Time Warner Cable is similar to Wi-Fi but without the short-range limitations. The network uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. Outside the 4G service area, dual-mode 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by leveraging Sprint’s 3G data network.

Customers in the New York City area will now be able to increase their mobility and productivity in many ways: from instantly downloading large files to get work done on the run, to browsing the web just like at home from across the city, or watching online videos and movies nearly anywhere around town.

Subscribers will also be able to purchase a wide range of 4G devices, including: compact USB modems, numerous Intel(R) embedded WiMAX laptops and netbooks, portable Wi-Fi/4G hotspots, and other wireless devices, all aimed at making lives in 4G cities more mobile and efficient.

CLEAR

Clearwire’s 4G service, CLEAR(R), is take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers. Customers will be able to purchase service online at www.clear.com, followed by retail store and dealer openings. Today, in advance of Clearwire’s commercial 4G launch in New York, dual-mode 3G/4G service is now available to consumers in select areas. This targeted pre-launch promotion provides early adopters with broad 3G coverage and limited 4G coverage while final work on Clearwire’s 4G network is completed. 4G-only mobile services are not yet being offered as part of this pre-launch promotion. For more information about pricing, services, devices, and local retail locations, visit www.clear.com.

Press Release:

Clearwire and Sprint to Launch 4G in Los Angeles
4G Mobile Broadband Coming to Los Angeles on December 1
Clearwire to offer CLEAR(R)
Sprint to offer Sprint 4G
KIRKLAND, Wash. & OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR) and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced plans to launch their respective 4G mobile internet services in Los Angeles later this year. Both companies will offer 4G services under their own 4G brand.

Clearwire and Sprint will both launch commercial 4G service in Los Angeles on December 1 with official launch events and retail store openings to follow. Consumers and businesses should expect to see additional network expansions in Los Angeles, and a wide range of independent marketing and advertising initiatives.

The 4G customer experience from Clearwire and Sprint is similar to Wi-Fi but without the short-range limitations. The network uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. Outside the 4G service area, dual-mode 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by leveraging Sprint’s 3G data network.

Customers in Los Angeles will now be able to increase their mobility and productivity in many ways: from instantly downloading large files to get work done on the run, to browsing the web just like at home from across the city, or watching online videos and movies nearly anywhere around town.

Subscribers will also be able to purchase a wide range of 4G devices, including: compact USB modems, numerous Intel(R) embedded WiMAX laptops and netbooks, portable Wi-Fi/4G hotspots, and other wireless devices, all aimed at making lives in 4G cities more mobile and efficient.

CLEAR

Clearwire’s 4G service, CLEAR(R), is take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers. Customers will be able to purchase service online at www.clear.com, followed by retail store and dealer openings. Today, in advance of Clearwire’s commercial 4G launch in Los Angeles, dual-mode 3G/4G service is now available to consumers in select areas. This targeted pre-launch promotion provides early adopters with broad 3G coverage and limited 4G coverage while final work on Clearwire’s 4G network is completed. 4G-only mobile services are not yet being offered as part of this pre-launch promotion. For more information about pricing, services, devices, and local retail locations, visit www.clear.com.

Press Release:

Clearwire, Comcast and Sprint to Launch 4G in San Francisco
4G Mobile Broadband Coming to San Francisco in Late December
Clearwire to Offer CLEAR(R)
Comcast to Offer XFINITY(TM) Internet 2go
Sprint to Offer Sprint 4G
KIRKLAND, Wash. & PHILADELPHIA & OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Oct 18, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) (NASDAQ:CMCSK) and Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced plans to launch their respective 4G mobile internet services in the high-tech mecca of San Francisco later this year. Each of the companies will offer 4G services under their own 4G brand.

Clearwire, Comcast and Sprint will each launch commercial 4G service in the San Francisco Bay Area in late December, with official launch events and retail store openings to follow across the region. Consumers and businesses should expect to see additional network expansions throughout the city, and a wide range of independent marketing and advertising initiatives.

The 4G customer experience from Clearwire, Comcast, and Sprint uses wireless 4G technology that differs from Wi-Fi because it provides service areas measured in miles, not feet. Outside the 4G service area, dual-mode 4G/3G modems keep users continually connected by leveraging Sprint’s 3G data network.

Customers in San Francisco will be able to increase their mobility and productivity in many ways: from instantly downloading large files to get work done on the run, to browsing the web just like at home from across the city, or watching online videos and movies nearly anywhere around town.

Subscribers will also be able to purchase a wide range of 4G devices, including: compact USB modems, numerous Intel(R) embedded WiMAX laptops and netbooks, portable Wi-Fi/4G hotspots, and other wireless devices, all aimed at making lives in these 4G cities more mobile and efficient.

CLEAR

Clearwire’s 4G service, CLEAR(R), is take-it-with-you internet service for businesses and consumers. Customers will be able to purchase service online at www.clear.com, followed by retail store and dealer openings. For more information about pricing, services, devices, and local retail locations, visit www.clear.com.

Interestingly, the announcement comes after T-Mobile were tipped to be considering investing in Clearwire, though no public confirmation of a potential deal has been made.  Sprint still has four appointees on the Clearwire board, and reserve the right to appoint up to three more at a later date.

Press Release:

Clearwire Announces Changes to Board of Directors
KIRKLAND, Wash., Sep 30, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services and operator of the largest 4G network in the country, today announced that Daniel R. Hesse, Keith O. Cowan, and Steven L. Elfman have resigned from the Clearwire board of directors. Hesse, Cowan and Elfman are all officers of Sprint Nextel Corporation and were nominated to the Clearwire board by Sprint.

Clearwire was informed by Sprint that the decisions to resign were made out of an abundance of caution to address questions raised by Clearwire regarding new developments in antitrust law. Clearwire’s board structure allows for 13 members, seven of which Sprint has the right to appoint. The remaining four Sprint appointees to the Clearwire board are unchanged, and Sprint reserved the right to appoint new members to the Clearwire board at a later date.

About Clearwire

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of wireless broadband services. Clearwire’s 4G network is currently available in areas of the U.S. where approximately 66 million people live and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its 4G service through its own brand called CLEAR(R) as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at http://www.clearwire.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release, and other written and oral statements made by Clearwire from time to time, contains forward-looking statements which are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made with information that is currently available. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, management’s expectations regarding future financial and operating performance and financial condition; proposed transactions; network development and market launch plans; strategic plans and objectives; industry conditions; the strength of the balance sheet; and liquidity and financing needs. The words “will,” “would,” “may,” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “target,” “designed,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward- looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Clearwire’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from such statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ are:

We are an early-stage company with a history of operating losses and we expect to continue to realize significant net losses for the foreseeable future.
Our current and future plans are subject to a number of conditions and uncertainties, including among others, our ability to manage ongoing market development activities (including the development of over 10,000 sites), our performance in launched markets and our access to additional funding.
We regularly evaluate our plans, and we may elect to pursue new or alternative strategies which we believe would be beneficial to our business, including among other things, modifying the pace at which we build our 4G mobile broadband networks, augmenting our network coverage in markets we launch, changing our sales and marketing strategy and or acquiring additional spectrum. Such modifications to our plans could significantly change our capital requirements.
We believe that we require substantial additional financing to maintain our current business plans, and if we are unable to raise such financing on acceptable terms we will need to modify our plans accordingly.
We may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the transactions with Sprint and the strategic investors.
We have deployed a wireless broadband network based on mobile WiMAX technology, and would incur significant costs to deploy alternative technologies. Additionally, such alternative technologies may not perform as we expect on our network and deploying such technologies would result in additional risks to the company.
We currently depend on our commercial partners to develop and deliver the equipment for our legacy and mobile WiMAX networks.
Many of our competitors are better established and have significantly greater resources, and may subsidize their competitive offerings with other products and services.
Our substantial indebtedness and restrictive debt covenants could limit our financing options and liquidity position and may limit our ability to grow our business.
Sprint Nextel Corporation owns a majority of our shares, resulting in Sprint holding a majority voting interest in the Company, and Sprint may have, or may develop in the future, interests that may diverge from other stockholders.
Future sales of large blocks of our common stock may adversely impact our stock price.
For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please refer to Clearwire’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2010 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 5, 2010. Clearwire assumes no obligation to update or supplement such forward-looking statements.

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Instead it has a single ethernet port – for hooking up a wired computer – and WiFi to share out the 4G as you would with a regular wireless router.  There’s no indication of how many concurrent users can be wirelessly connected at any one time; the Rover Puck, for instance, can support eight, though of course a home router can handle many more than that.

No word from CLEAR as to when the new 4G WiFi router will arrive, nor what sort of price it will command.  The company currently sells two domestic/office WiMAX modems, each at $84.99, and enabling a single ethernet-connected computer to get online.

[via Wireless Goodness]

We said the iSpot’s data package was a bargain, and we weren’t kidding: $25 per month is significantly lower than you’d normally pay for either 3G or 4G mobile data. Clear are also selling the iSpot contract-free, which means once you’ve dropped $99.99 on the hotspot itself there needn’t be any ongoing service fees if you decide not to use it.

As you might expect, there’s a handful of compromises involved. First off is the Apple device limitation – more on which later – but perhaps equally important is the absence of 3G network support. If you live in an area with 4G coverage the iSpot is great; if you’re not in one of those (currently) limited areas then there’s no falling back onto the 3G network, you simply don’t get any data service whatsoever. That makes it particularly important to check Clear’s coverage maps, though even then there will be dead patches to content with where signal strength varies.

The simplicity of the connectivity adds up to a straightforward chunk of hardware. The iSpot is fatter than a 3G-only MiFi 2200, with two front-panel LEDs for status and a power button on the side. There’s no microSD card reader as we’ve seen on some recent MiFi-style devices, for turning the hotspot into a mobile NAS of sorts, and nor is there a display: anything more complex than WiFi and WiMAX status are relegated to the browser-based control panel.

Inside the iSpot there’s a relatively huge 2,700mAh battery that Clear reckon is good for the usual quoted 4hrs of hotspot service. It charges using a miniUSB AC adapter, and of course since you can access the battery compartment you could feasibly pick up a second pack. Unlike some mobile hotspots you can’t plug the iSpot in via USB and use it as a tethered modem.

Setup is straightforward, especially if you’re content with the preset SSID and WPA settings. The password is printed on the label on the bottom of the iSpot, but can be changed via the browser interface. As with most routers you can also change WiFi channel (or leave it on automatic) and disable password protection altogether; interestingly, it’s also possible to change the power settings for the WiFi radio. That means you can notch it down in order to maximise battery life, if you know your WiFi devices aren’t going to be too far away.

In terms of speed, we tested the iSpot in Lewisville, TX, and saw average download speeds of 4.14Mbps. That’s impressive stuff, though upload rates were a different story; they averaged just 0.28Mbps. For most users, though, that will fit in with their mobile ambitions: only those wanting to upload large amounts of data (which admittedly is unlikely if you’re using an iPad, iPod touch or iPhone) will be frustrated.

Battery life, meanwhile, generally exceeded Clear’s estimates, with our unit managing around 4.25hrs with WiFi taken down to its shortest range setting (still sufficient for a regular room or office, so you can have the iSpot next to the window and still be browsing from the couch). Clear’s use of a miniUSB port for recharging is annoying, given most mobile devices have settled on microUSB, but of course the Apple gadgets it’s intended to play with use their own, proprietary connector.

A cheap source of high-speed mobile connectivity is appealing to more than just iPad, iPod touch and iPhone owners, however, and so it’s unsurprising that hacking the iSpot for broader access is a hot topic. Clear has used MAC filtering to identify what device is trying to connect, blocking anything else. To work around that, you’ll need to figure out how to spoof your notebook/tablet/smartphone’s MAC address; instructions for that are broadly available online, though Clear are unlikely to smile upon anyone caught doing that.

If you’re not comfortable hacking your device, the obvious alternative is Clear’s own Spot 4G – exactly the same unit as the iSpot but without the Apple limitation and in a black casing. Unfortunately, while the Spot 4G is priced at $99.99 too, service plans start from $40 per month and require a contract; in contrast, the iSpot’s data plan is $25 per month and demands no contract.

That makes it a definite bargain, and if you decided not to opt for a 3G iPad or prefer faster connectivity than AT&T’s 3G on your iPhone then the allure of Clear’s WiMAX can’t be denied. With no slower connection to fall back on, the Clear iSpot has limited appeal until the carrier broadens their coverage, but if you’re an occasional mobile data user living in a 4G area and carrying a bag full of Apple mobile hardware then the iSpot is hard to argue with.

The tests are designed primarily to see how LTE and WiMax live together, within the same market and utilizing the same spectrum. Clear stated that they are going to use hardware from Chinese manufacturer Huawei, utilizing FDD LTE and TDD LTE equipment. And the tests will take place within the 2.4 and 2.6GHz bands, where Clear currently holds assets.

Now, for the download speeds. Clearwire said that they fully expect to reach download speeds of between 20Mbps and 70Mbps. To put that into comparison, Verizon’s expected to reach somewhere between 5Mbps and 7Mbps on their own LTE 4G network, which is scheduled to launch later this year. Apparently, Clear believes that with their spectrum assets and their technology, the combination of LTE and WiMax will result in these increased speeds. AS for participating wireless carriers, Clear didn’t name any names, but they did say that a number of entities are involved in the testing. The tests are scheduled to begin this Fall and go all the way through the Winter of 2011, all in Phoenix, Arizona.

[via Phone Scoop]

That now makes forty-eight metropolitan areas with WiMAX coverage – the full list is in the press release below – and Sprint reckon subscribers will see up to ten-times the performance of a regular 3G connection.

Now it’s just a case of getting the supplies of handsets that use the 4G network to cater for demand; Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has already admitted that shortages of flagship devices such as the HTC EVO 4G have undermined the carrier’s advantage over rivals.  In the meantime, HTC has announced plans to use Super LCD displays alongside AMOLED panels so as to alleviate the bottleneck.

Press Release:

Sprint Launches 4G Coverage in Delaware, Florida and Michigan and Extends 4G Coverage in California

Modesto, Calif., Stockton, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Wilmington, Del., and Grand Rapids, Mich., Launched Today
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Aug 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Today, Sprint (NYSE:S) unveiled 4G service to populous areas of California, Delaware, Florida and Michigan. With today’s launches of Modesto, Calif., Stockton, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., Wilmington, Del., and Grand Rapids, Mich., Sprint boasts 48 metropolitan areas enabled with the new mobile broadband service, which allows for Internet traffic at super fast speeds. Unlike competitors, Sprint is the first national wireless carrier to actually launch wireless 4G technology in cities across the country. Wilmington, Jacksonville and Grand Rapids are the first cities in Delaware, Florida and Michigan to offer 4G service.

With 4G, Sprint customers experience fast mobile downloads, streaming video without the lag, and turbo-charged Web browsing. This new wireless technology boasts download speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.1 Users can video chat with friends and family via the popular HTC EVO(TM) 4G, America’s first 3G/4G wireless smartphone. And in the near future, Sprint customers will be able to purchase Samsung Epic(TM) 4G, the company’s second 4G enabled smartphone.

With the Overdrive(TM) 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot by Sierra Wireless, users can create a 4G hotspot on the road or at home. With the Sprint Free Guarantee, customers can try 4G for 30 days and if they are not satisfied, they can cancel service and have the opportunity to be fully reimbursed.2 Sprint also offers simplicity and savings vs. competitors with Everything Data plans, which include unlimited Web, texting and calling while on the Sprint network for one low price.

“Sprint customers are the first in the country to use 4G with either a smartphone like HTC EVO or one of Sprint’s other 4G devices like the 3G/4G Overdrive Hotspot to wirelessly connect a laptop to the Internet,” said Matt Carter, president of 4G, Sprint. “Later this year, Sprint will launch Boston, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, enabling millions more to harness this powerful new service.”

As summer travel continues, people will find that 4G is available in many markets across the country: California – Merced, Modesto, Stockton and Visalia; Delaware – Wilmington; Florida – Jacksonville; Georgia – Atlanta and Milledgeville; Hawaii – Honolulu and Maui; Idaho – Boise; Illinois – Chicago; Maryland – Baltimore; Michigan – Grand Rapids; Missouri – Kansas City and St. Louis; New York – Rochester and Syracuse; Nevada – Las Vegas; North Carolina – Charlotte, Greensboro (along with High Point and Winston-Salem), Raleigh (along with Cary, Chapel Hill and Durham); Oregon – Eugene, Portland and Salem; Pennsylvania – Harrisburg, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Reading and York; Texas – Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Killeen/Temple, Lubbock, Midland/Odessa, San Antonio, Waco and Wichita Falls; Utah – Salt Lake City; Virginia – Richmond; Washington – Bellingham, Seattle, Tri-Cities and Yakima. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.

Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network.

Just over a month ago, we told you that Clearwire had their sights set on installing WiMAX modems into a bunch of Intel Core-based notebooks, which would then subsequently be sold through Best Buy some time by the holiday shopping season. Even as the report hit the ‘net, there were still plenty of questions. Primarily, was this a one time thing, or would a new deal come from the situation? It looks like we have our answer, as Best Buy and Clear have just made it possible for the two to work closely together to bring 4G service to people.

Best Buy’s Connect service just debuted a few weeks ago, and now it’s time for the service to put their foot forward and start doing some good. Unfortunately, you’ll be at the mercy of Best Buy’s Connect service, which is only available in “dozens of cities,” but the major electronics retailer affirms that the service will be rolling out to other cities through the coming months.

The deal will allow for a new 4G-based tier through the Connect service, but the companies said it won’t be ready for prime time until 2011. So, that holiday roll out of those 4G-capable notebooks still seems like the best way, at least in the short-term future, to get your WiMAX on.

[via CNET]

The Spot 4G only has a WiMAX modem, while the Spot 4G+ can also use Sprint’s 3G network when you’re outside of CLEAR coverage.  The Spot 4G is priced at $99.99 with plans from $40 per month, while the Spot 4G+ is priced at $224.99 with plans from $50 per month; both can also be leased.

Press Release:

Clearwire Announces Nationwide Availability of 4G/Wi-Fi Personal Mobile Hot Spots

CLEAR Spots Now Available in CLEAR Retail Stores, from CLEAR Authorized Dealers and at CLEAR.com

KIRKLAND, Wash. – July 7, 2010 – Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services, today announced the in-store and online availability of the CLEAR Spot 4G and CLEAR Spot 4G+ mobile hot spots. The company also announced that it has begun filling pre-orders for both devices.

The CLEAR Spot 4G and CLEAR Spot 4G+ bring super fast speeds and 4G connectivity to Wi-Fi enabled laptops, netbooks, smartphones, portable gaming and other connected devices – without the worries or hassles of tiered or capped data usage plans.

CLEAR Spot 4G
The CLEAR Spot 4G is a personal mobile hotspot allowing users to easily and securely share unlimited super fast Internet access anywhere CLEAR has coverage simultaneously with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The CLEAR Spot 4G costs $99.99 or can be leased for $4.99 a month. Monthly CLEAR service plans start at $40 per month.

CLEAR Spot 4G+
The CLEAR Spot 4G+ allows power users and road warriors to stay connected across the U.S. by automatically switching from 4G and connecting to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network outside the 4G coverage area. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ enables users to securely share the connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices at the same time. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ costs $224.99 or can be leased for $5.99 a month. Monthly CLEAR service plans start at $55 per month.

Both devices can be ordered online at www.clear.com/spot or purchased nationwide at CLEAR retail stores and authorized dealers beginning today.

Clearwire’s choice of Core-based machines is unsurprising, given that Intel has invested heavily in WiMAX technology.  CLEAR plans start at $40 per month and offer uncapped, true-unlimited data though of course only in areas where Clearwire has network coverage.  The company recently outed a range of USB modems and MiFi-style wireless 4G hotspots for those not willing to limit their WiMAX to a single machine.

Press Release:

CLEAR(R) 4G Mobile Broadband Service Now Available with Specially Discounted Embedded 4G Devices Nationwide via Best Buy

Broader Assortment of Embedded 4G WiMAX Laptops and Netbooks Available Starting this Summer for Back to School
All Laptops Based on Intel(R) Core(TM) Processors to Have 4G WiMAX Built-in Across All Best Buy Stores Nationwide by Holiday
Expanded Devices Line-Up and Discounted Equipment Pricing Offer Consumers Greater Access to Unlimited Data with CLEAR(R) 4G Service

KIRKLAND, Wash., Jun 21, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services, today announced the nationwide expansion of embedded 4G mobile broadband laptops in all Best Buy locations and at www.bestbuy.com. Starting today, consumers will have access to expanded choices and discounted equipment offers on Intel-based, embedded WiMAX laptops with access to CLEAR(R) 4G super fast mobile Internet service.

Just in time for summer, consumers across the country can future-proof their laptops based on Intel(R) Core(TM) processor-based from Best Buy with built-in 4G capability, enabling the devices to easily connect to CLEAR’s super fast mobile Internet service. Whether streaming videos at the beach or downloading vacation footage from the backseat of a minivan, users can experience true mobile broadband connectivity in CLEAR coverage areas. Customers can choose between several devices, including the Dell Inspiron 14, Dell Inspiron 15, Dell Mini 10, and Toshiba Satellite M645. Availability will vary by location.

CLEAR offers unlimited usage, unlike service plans from traditional wireless carriers which cap the amount of data a customer can use. CLEAR’s mobile Internet plans start at $40 per month. Bundled service options for home access can offer additional savings. Qualifying embedded 4G mobile broadband devices from Best Buy are eligible for a $100 discount when customers sign up for CLEAR service with a two-year service agreement.

CLEAR service is currently available in dozens of cities, in areas of the United States where 51 million people live. A detailed map of service availability can be found at http://www.clear.com/coverage.

“Embedding 4G technology into laptops and netbooks makes it easy for consumers to experience CLEAR’s super fast mobile Internet service on the latest devices,” said Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer for Clearwire. “The discounted summer and holiday pricing on CLEAR-ready laptops from Intel and available through Best Buy is another way Clearwire is working to meet the rapidly growing demand for true mobile broadband services in the U.S.”

“The program from Best Buy to expand the availability of fully embedded, seamlessly integrated WiMAX on laptops based on Intel(R) Core(TM) processors will make it even easier for consumers across the country to enjoy the enhanced performance of Clear’s 4G mobile broadband network,” said Erik Reid, director, Mobile Product Group at Intel. “During the back to school and holiday shopping seasons, Intel, along with Best Buy and Clearwire will continue to make an unprecedented number of embedded WiMAX laptops and netbooks available from all major PC OEMs.”

That modem, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB (Series S), can automatically switch between 3G and 4G connections as available.  Clearwire have had Mac-compatible USB modems before, but until now they’ve been WiMAX-only without being able to fall back onto 3G networks.

The CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB is available to buy for $114.99 plus tax, while the CLEAR 4G and CLEAR 4G+ are leased at $44.99 per month and $60.99 per month (again, plus tax) including Clearwire’s basic CLEAR Internet plan.  The two hotspots are available from July 7th 2010.

Press Release:

Clearwire Offers More Ways to Connect to CLEAR 4G Service with Three New Devices; Adds 4G/3G Modem for Macs and PCs

• New CLEAR 4G and 4G+ Personal Wi-Fi Hotspots plus 4G/3G Mobile USB Extend Unlimited 4G Data Plans to More Mobile Devices
• New USB Modem Brings National 4G/3G Service to Apple Laptops and PCs
• CLEAR’s Uncapped Mobile Broadband Experience Available For Netbooks, Notebooks, Gaming, Entertainment, Social Media and Numerous Other Devices and Services

KIRKLAND, Wash. – June 16, 2010 – Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), a leading provider of wireless broadband services, today announced the upcoming availability of three new products that will extend the potential for super fast speeds and unlimited 4G usage plans to the millions of mobile devices available today.

The latest suite of devices, the CLEAR SpotTM 4G, CLEAR Spot 4G+, and the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB bring new 4G connectivity possibilities to a wide range of Wi-Fi enabled laptops, netbooks, smartphones, and other connected devices – without the worries or hassles of tiered or capped usage plans.

The CLEAR Spot 4G offers the speed and flexibility of a personal Wi-Fi hotspot simultaneously connecting multiple Wi-Fi devices at 4G speeds, while the CLEAR Spot 4G+ adds the option of allowing users to easily and securely use nationwide 3G coverage when outside the 4G coverage area. In addition, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB modem is the first dual-mode mobile USB from CLEAR to deliver 4G and nationwide 3G Internet coverage to the MacBook and MacBook Pro along with other non-Mac devices.

“In today’s on-the-go world, everyone deserves fast speeds and the usage they want at a fair price – without constantly checking their usage or worrying about their end of month bill,” said Dow Draper, vice president of product development for Clearwire. “These new devices offer today’s mobile user, and the millions of Wi-Fi products in use across the country, even greater access to CLEAR’s fast and affordable 4G service.”

With CLEAR® super fast mobile Internet service users can experience average mobile download speeds of 3 to 6 mbps with bursts over 10 mbps*, using Clearwire’s 4G network. Unlike service plans from traditional wireless carriers which cap data usage, CLEAR offers unlimited 4G usage plans that do not require long-term service contracts. In most markets unlimited 4G coverage from CLEAR starts at $30 for the home while unlimited mobile plans start as low as $40. Bundled services such as Home and On-The-Go and Home and Voice plans start at $55 per month. CLEAR service is currently available in dozens of cities, in areas of the United States where approximately 51 million people live. A detailed map of service availability can be found at www.clear.com/coverage.

The New CLEAR Mobile Hotspots and USB

CLEAR Spot 4G
The CLEAR Spot 4G is a personal mobile hotspot allowing users to easily and securely share unlimited super fast Internet access anywhere CLEAR has coverage simultaneously with up to eight Wi-Fi-enabled devices including laptops, smartphones, and portable gaming devices. The CLEAR Spot 4G is manufactured by InfoMark and will be available for purchase at $99.99 or for a $4.99 monthly lease. It can be preordered today at www.clear.com/spot and will available nationwide at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers in July.

CLEAR Spot 4G+
The CLEAR Spot 4G+ allows power users and road warriors alike to stay connected across the U.S. by automatically switching from 4G and connecting to Sprint’s 3G nationwide network outside the 4G coverage area. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ enables users to securely share the connection with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices all at the same time. The CLEAR Spot 4G+ is manufactured by Sierra Wireless and will be available to purchase for $224.99 or to lease for $5.99 per month. It can be preordered today at www.clear.com/spot and will be available nationwide at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers in July.

CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB (Series S)
Clearwire already offers two 4G-only USB modems for Mac users, but today introduced the company’s first dual-mode 4G/3G modem available for Mac users, the CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB. When not in the 4G coverage area, the modem will automatically switch to the Sprint 3G network to provide more ubiquitous data connectivity around the country. The 4G+ Mobile USB is compatible with MacBook and MacBook Pro laptops using Mac OS X Versions 10.5.x and 10.6.x. The new USB also supports netbooks and notebooks running Windows XP SP2, Vista and Windows 7, all in 32 and 64 bit versions. The new 4G+ Mobile USB is manufactured by Sierra Wireless.

The 4G+ USB can be purchased for $114.99 or leased monthly for $5.99. It is available today at www.clear.com/4Gplus-usb and in stores in Atlanta, Dallas, Hawaii, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Reading and York, PA. The CLEAR 4G+ Mobile USB will be available in all 4G markets beginning July 1st.
For more information about CLEAR, visit www.clear.com. Company information about Clearwire is available at www.clearwire.com.
For press and broadcast: Product images, video footage and company logos can be downloaded from the Clearwire online media gallery. To subscribe to Clearwire’s RSS news feed, click here.

About Clearwire
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of mobile broadband services. Our 4G network is currently available in areas of the United States where approximately 51 million people live and the company plans to continue to expand its 4G coverage. Clearwire’s open all-IP network, combined with significant spectrum holdings, provides an unprecedented combination of speed and mobility to deliver next generation broadband access. The company markets its service through its own brand called CLEAR® as well as through its wholesale relationships with Sprint, Comcast and Time Warner Cable. Strategic investors include Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, and Bright House Networks. Clearwire is headquartered in Kirkland, Wash. Additional information is available at www.clearwire.com.

*Speed claims based on download speeds only. Actual performance may vary and is not guaranteed. CLEAR performance claim is based on average download user speeds achieved during tests performed on the CLEAR commercial network by CLEAR. Other carrier performance based on their advertised claims.

Asked about the state of 4G networks, Prusch said that the ecosystem was converging and that he didn’t expect to see the same sort of technology wars as there have been in the past.  A somewhat cryptic comment that Clearwire would “keep evolving as we move forward” together with confirmation that the company had renegotiated their WiMAX agreement with Intel so that they could drop out with just 30 days notice as opposed to the previous November 28th 2011 lock-in added fuel to the speculation.

Rather than dump WiMAX altogether, Clearwire could move to support both networks; however, that would require multi-mode devices that could handle WiMAX and LTE (as well as legacy technologies for fall-back).  With headline devices such as the HTC EVO 4G due imminently it looks unlikely that Clearwire are planning a switch any time soon; however, it also seems they’re definitely keeping their options open.

So far, the Clear-built 4G network covers 27 “markets”, which you can see at their interactive map here.  Over the course of 2010 Sprint expect to see new coverage in Boston, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.  Of course, outside of WiMAX areas the EVO 4G will fall back onto EVDO Rev.A data networks, the speed of which we’re familiar with from the carrier’s existing line-up.

That actually means that relatively few people will be able to enjoy the EVO 4G’s flagship feature; Sprint say over 30m people are covered now, and up to 120m will be by the end of this year, but it pales in comparison to the regular EVDO network.  We’re also unsure of how Sprint will be pricing either the smartphone or its accompanying plans; there’s speculation that WiMAX data will demand some sort of surcharge above Sprint’s regular data plans, and of course if you want to use the MiFi-style connection sharing app there’ll probably be another payment for that.

We’re still excited by the HTV EVO 4G, and we reckon it’s just the shot in the arm that Sprint – and WiMAX – needs in order to fend off the by-now persistent rumors of financial peril.  Still, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if HTC had an HSPA+ version of the EVO 4G – with the same huge capacitive display, Snapdragon processor and high-resolution camera – in their engineering labs, with the added bonus that such a device could work not only on AT&T and T-Mobile USA’s planned networks, but fit in with what’s available in Europe.  That’ll be even faster than WiMAX, potentially.

Should that stop you buying the HTC EVO 4G on Sprint?  Probably not, though we’ll be interested to see what devices cross the wire in the interim period between CTIA Wireless and the EVO 4G’s release over the coming summer.

HTC EVO 4G hands-on demo:

However, while Sprint may have been heavily involved in the WiMAX roll-out in the US, that doesn’t mean T-Mobile are looking at it as a potential ally.  Despite rumors to the contrary over the past several months, Dotson dismissed the possibility of the two carriers joining forces.  ”What you never want to do is take one company that is going through challenges” he told investors, “and take another company going through challenges.”

While the plans seem pretty ambitious, Dotson was keen to keep expectations in context.  ”[We're] not looking at how you change the configuration of the US market” he insisted, with the plans – if they pan out – expected to only give T-Mobile subscribers access to 4G speeds.

[via cellular-news]

The new name (all capitals now) and logo come with a newly redesigned website, too, though we’re assuming users will be more interested in the faster connectivity.  One customer – who has had his early modem switched for a newer CLEAR model – reports a jump from 1.6Mbps download to 5Mbps.

Otherwise, all is as it was.  That means high-speed wireless connectivity via the WiMAX network in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, Texas, Idaho and Washington, or at least certain cities among them, using either USB modem cards, standalone modem/routers, or devices with CLEAR modems embedded.

The Mondi has a 4.3-inch touchscreen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, together with WiFi connectivity and GPS for turn-by-turn directions courtesy of Route 66.  Since it’s based on Windows Mobile, it has integrated messaging and Exchange support, together with the usual bevy of productivity and PM apps.

As of August 1st, the Samsung Mondi will go on sale at Clearwire retail outlets and select Best Buy stores in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, OR.  No word on pricing as yet.  Clearwire also reveal that Panasonic will be releasing a WiMAX Toughbook notebook later on in 2009.

Press Release:

Samsung Mobile Launches First WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device for Commercial Service

Full Broadband Speeds, HTML Web Experience with Touch Screen and Mobile WiMAX/WiFi Access Powered by Samsung Mondi™

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the commercial availability of the Samsung Mondi™, the most advanced Mobile WiMAX-enabled handheld device in the U.S. The touch screen Mondi, which is Latin for “world,” is designed for use with the Clear™ Mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire in the activated markets of Atlanta, Las Vegas, Portland, OR and future WiMAX markets.

The Samsung Mondi can harness upload and download speeds that double comparable devices running on 3G networks while taking advantage of the widespread connectivity of Mobile WiMAX. The Mondi is also equipped with WiFi, allowing users to keep strong wireless connections while working outside designated Mobile WiMAX markets.

Available in a solid black finish, this device slides open horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. The Mondi is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications. The device also supports various services including Fring™, Gypsii™, and Windows Live Messenger. The Mondi is equipped for GPS Navigation through Route 66, providing turn-by-turn directions.

The Mondi’s compact design provides the user with a more mobile form factor and ease-of-use than the typical laptop or netbook. While it is small enough to fit into the user’s hand or pocket, the Mondi packs an impressive Web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device’s 4.3-inch touch screen.

“The Mondi is a perfect example of the powerful and stylish innovation that Samsung is bringing to the U.S. mobile market,” said Omar Khan, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Product Management for Samsung Mobile. “The Mondi packs productivity tools, entertainment options and content management applications into a compact device that is flexible and intuitive.”

The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. The Mondi is also an excellent device for work or for play. WiFi connectivity offers the business user fast and simple connections to Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area.

“With the Samsung Mondi, people can take advantage of powerful broadband speeds to access familiar, easy-to-use software like Microsoft Office Mobile on a sleek, new mobile Internet device,” said Stephanie Ferguson, general manager of the Business Experiences Team at Microsoft Corp.

The Mondi is currently available on www.Samsung.com and at select Samsung authorized distributors.

Starting August 1, 2009, the Samsung Mondi will be available at Clearwire retail outlets and select Best Buy stores located in Atlanta, Las Vegas and Portland, OR.

Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX technologies and offers an end-to-end solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics, including devices capable of accessing both mobile WiMAX and other wireless technologies. UQ Communications in Japan and Scartel LLC., in Russia are examples of other operators preparing for significant commercial deployment of nation-wide service using Samsung’s Mobile WiMAX total solution.

About Samsung Telecommunications America

Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Corporation Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

Unlike the MiFi, say, which we caught up with at ShowStoppers this week, which has a modem built in, the CLEAR Spot requires a separate USB CLEAR modem – priced at $49.  Clearwire are keeping coy on battery runtime details, but they have said that up to eight WiFi devices can connect to the Spot at any one time.

Of course, it’s only any use if you’re in an area served by CLEAR’s WiMAX network, which right now means Portland, Oregon.  Any Portland, Oregon residents keen to share their WiMAX will be able to pick up the CLEAR Spot router for $139 later this month. 

Press Release:

Clearwire Transforms Wi-Fi Devices with the CLEAR((TM)) Spot Personal Hotspot Accessory

The Combination of a CLEAR(TM) USB Modem with the CLEAR Spot Accessory Creates a True Mobile Broadband Connection for Wi-Fi-Enabled Devices
KIRKLAND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mar. 31, 2009– While many portable electronic devices now incorporate Wi-Fi, consumers typically have been unable to connect to a true broadband network without first finding a Wi-Fi hotspot. Today, Clearwire Communications LLC, an operating subsidiary of Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR) announced the CLEAR™ Spot Personal Hotspot, an accessory which enables standard Wi-Fi products to connect to the Internet, at true broadband speeds, via the company’s CLEAR™ mobile WiMAX service.

The CLEAR Spot creates a personal Wi-Fi hotspot that travels with consumers anywhere they happen to be within the CLEAR service area. Manufactured by CradlePoint, this first CLEAR Spot device is a portable, battery-powered router that seamlessly connects up to eight Wi-Fi devices to the Internet via CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network. Customers simply insert their CLEAR USB Modem (available for $49) into the router and an instant Wi-Fi hotspot is created allowing any Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronic or PC device to utilize the power of CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network. With CLEAR Spot, any existing, off-the-shelf Wi-Fi device (compatible with 802.11b/g) can connect to CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX network.

“With CLEAR Spot, we’ve combined the speed and mobility of our 4G service with the ubiquity of Wi-Fi to create the best possible broadband experience for our customers,” said Scott Richardson, chief strategy officer for Clearwire. “While many CE devices will eventually include embedded WiMAX technology, our customers can now easily use their existing Wi-Fi-enabled phones, cameras, game systems, or laptops in compelling new ways. Since CLEAR is a true broadband Internet service, which just happens to be delivered wirelessly, we actually welcome the use of heavy bandwidth data applications that conventional 3G network operators may discourage or simply can’t support. In fact, we encourage our customers to use their Wi-Fi-enabled smart phones, or other CE devices, on our open network to receive better Internet connections.”

“CradlePoint technology is at the forefront of device interoperability and we are excited to enter the WiMAX ecosystem through our relationship with Clearwire in developing the CLEAR Spot device,” said Jack Alton, CradlePoint vice president of sales. “Clearwire’s mobile WiMAX network offers an attractive opportunity to expand the reach of our products into a new and growing mobile networking standard while helping the company to expand the value of WiMAX to the wide array of Wi-Fi-enabled devices already in the marketplace.”

Wide Range of Devices & Applications

With an all-IP network designed specifically for data, CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX service delivers mobile download speeds up to 4Mb per second to any Wi-Fi devices used in conjunction with CLEAR Spot. CLEAR’s mobile Internet plans do not require long term service contracts and can be purchased by the day for just $10, or by the month, starting at $30 per month. CLEAR’s flexibility and capability enables consumers, businesses, and government agencies to receive greater value from the devices they already own. Possible examples include:

3G Smartphone Owners: Owners of an Apple® iPhone™ 3G and iPod® Touch, select Blackberry® smartphones or Windows Mobile phones, a G1 (Google’s™ first Android™ phone), as well as the upcoming Palm® Pre™, could connect to the Internet at speeds several times faster than their phones’ embedded 3G technology – without having to find a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Music Lovers: CLEAR customers with an Apple iPod Touch, Microsoft Zune®, or other Wi-Fi-enabled MP3 player can wirelessly download new songs while sitting outside with friends, commuting to work, or at the gym.
Photos and Videos: Owners of Wi-Fi-enabled digital cameras or video cameras, like the Sony Cybershot™ DSC G3, Panasonic® LUMIX® DMC-TZ50, or Nikon® Coolpix® S610c, can now use CLEAR Spot to upload photos or videos right from the ball game, company picnic, or while walking around town.
Gamers: Fans of the Sony PSP® or Nintendo DS™ can take portable gaming to the next level by connecting over CLEAR’s 4G network to enjoy high-speed multiplayer action on the go.
Families: One CLEAR Spot device plugged into the family Minivan’s power adapter can bring a world of information and entertainment to the backseat. Since CLEAR Spot supports multiple users, one child could use Google to research a homework assignment on a netbook, while another plays video games, and a third watches Hulu while checking on friends through Google Latitude on a laptop.
Emergency Responders: At the scene of an incident, public safety personnel can use one CLEAR Spot device to set up a mobile command center for up to eight of their existing laptops. This means they no longer need to rely on relatively slow cellular modem cards in order to receive or transmit critical, time sensitive information.
Business Professionals: The pervasiveness of embedded Wi-Fi in laptops, netbooks, and Macbooks enables business professionals to receive true broadband Internet service around the city, while mobile, or at the office.
Pricing and Availability

As part of a multi-year network build-out plan, CLEAR’s mobile WiMAX service is expected to become available in major metropolitan areas across the U.S., and is currently available in Portland, Oregon. The CLEAR Spot router, manufactured by CradlePoint, will be available for $139 at CLEAR stores and authorized dealers or online at www.clear.com in early-April. The new router is just the first CLEAR Spot Wi-Fi-enabled device from Clearwire. The company expects to introduce other CLEAR Spot enabled products in the coming months.

Video overview of the Samsung SWD-M100 Mondi after the cut

No other specifications for the Samsung Mondi have been confirmed, but we’re assuming that the same details the company told us last month hold true.  That would give the compact handheld the Windows Mobile OS, dual cameras (one 3-megapixel on the back, one 0.3-megapixel on the front), Bluetooth and WiFi b/g, the Opera internet browser and a microSD slot. 

SlashGear caught up with the Mondi at Intel’s MWC booth last month.  The device itself was non-functional – Samsung’s rep couldn’t quite explain why – but we did get an overview video and some live photos.

Video demo of the Clear router after the cut

Although a WiMAX router has been announced by ZyXel, it will require a separate subscription to a USB modem for an individual device.  With this Clearwire router, the same USB modem could be used for mobile surfing as well as home internet connection.  Clearwire are apparently keen to promote devices such as these, which will share out a single connection, rather than seeing them as a bandwidth threat.

According to Scott Richardson, Clearwire’s strategy officer, the router will cost in the region of $125 and be available “soon”, possibly even as quickly as February 2009.  The final product will also be smaller than this prototype, more “like a hockey puck”.

[via Engadget]