Summer is most people’s favorite season. The weather is fantastic and people want to do more. Companies take the time to release new products and services. This extends to the WiMAX space too. Clearwire will have 50 U.S. markets by the end this summer.
Comcast will offer 3G Internet services in Boston soon, with WiMAX coming early this summer. In their earnings report for first quarter 2010, Comcast hinted that WiMAX will come to Boston during the second quarter of 2010.
This leaves June as the expected date when Clearwire will launch WiMAX in Boston. It’s an exciting way to start the summer. It is also an exciting time because it’s believed that Sprint will release the HTC EVO 4G phone during the early summer months. This comes along with CLEAR launching services in central Pennsylvania in the beginning of May.
The WiMAX operator recently announced the 18 markets it will add to the current 32 by the end of summer 2010. St. Louis, Orlando, Tampa, Syracuse and Rochester and NY are among the markets that will get WiMAX services. Clearwire partnered with Comcast and Time Warner Cable to offer the service under their brands.
Comcast and Time Warner Cable offer pretty standard devices, simple USB devices for business men that spend a lot of time on laptops. They can now hold video conferencing in parks where the 4G coverage is available. The service will be bundled with the home internet connection, providing a cheaper rate for home and mobile internet connection. WiMAX provides the same kind of speeds that are seen with wired internet connections.
It shows renewed investment in WiMAX from the cable companies. It’s publicized when Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Google, Sprint and Brighthouse all invest in Clearwire, but to actually see the service being offered is a brighter sign. It shows commitment and not just an influx of cash.
Bundling the packages are smart because it allows users to get the technology and eventually switch to a better WiMAX connection from CLEAR or Sprint. CLEAR and Sprint offer similar WiMAX packages, but Sprint has the advertising dollars to promote 4G a little more than CLEAR. Sprint only offers two 4G devices now, the Overdrive Mobile Hot Spot that handles up to five WiFi devices at one time, and a USB modem. Soon they will offer the sleekest and most sought after device, the HTC EVO 4G, the first WiMAX-enabled phone available in the U.S. It doubles as a hot spot and works on 3G connection when not in a 4G market.
CLEAR promotes wisely, holding launch events and other promotions within market. They don’t have to spend a lot on national television advertisements or national print ads. It’s cheaper to purchase space in local magazines and the local broadcast stations. CLEAR offers many similar devices to Sprint, including a 4G+USB modem that falls back to 3G when not in a WiMAX network. CLEAR also offers the only home WiMAX modem. They offer packages for both home and mobile use, granted you must purchase both devices.
If you’re in one of the new WiMAX markets and plan on making the change, there’s a lot of quality options. CLEAR offers the most comprehensive variety of devices, from the CLEAR Spot mobile hot spot, to USB Modems and a home modem for users looking to have a complete WiMAX internet package. Sprint offers the sexiest device, the HTC EVO 4G but it’s going to be on the expensive side. CLEAR plans on releasing a WiMAX phone by the end of the year, but they’re probably going through a few tweaks before making an announcement. It’s going to be an exciting summer for WiMAX.
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Good Article
Good Article