Clearwire rolls out VoIP service (in one market)

Probably further annoying the Vonage users that it supposedly cut-off last year, WiMax "class" wireless broadband provider Clearwire has just announced its own Bell Canada-powered VoIP service for that works with regular telephones, or for more sophisticated call control, over a user's PC. The new service, which is currently limited to Clearwire subscribers in the Stockton, California market, and further restricted to those residents who are "e911 capable," requires a $15 Internet adapter if you want to use a regular corded or cordless phone, and costs $30-a-month for unlimited calling within the US and Canada (international calls are supposedly "competitively priced"). That thirty bucks also gets you browser-configurable call forwarding, "Find Me Follow Me" enhanced call forwarding, caller ID, voice mail, voice mail-to-email capabilities, and caller blocking, as well as the semi-useful ability to get your mobile VoIP on anywhere Clearwire has coverage (currently 200 US/international cities that most people don't live in), if you don't mind toting your laptop and modem around.

[Via dailywireless]

[ninja_in_pajamas @ Apr 10th 2006 11:00PM]

"currently 200 US/international cities that most people don't live in" I beg to differ there as far as the US coverage. They have coverage in most major cities and a lot of their surrounding rural areas. From what I can tell Clearwire is growing stronger by the day and may not pull a Rochet, but who knows.

[Nathan R. Hale @ Apr 10th 2006 11:07PM]

I've been a Clearwire customer for over a year, and I couldn't be happier. It's nice to be able to bring your Internet anywhere in the city, if you need too. I'm thrilled to see them rolling out new services.

[L0J1K @ Apr 11th 2006 12:02AM]

Wow, awesome! Is there perhaps another few adapters and 500 feet of cat-5 I can be required to carry around?! Please!?!?

[Coolty @ Apr 11th 2006 12:02AM]

Neato, now i can lug around a suitcase instead of a cell phone to make calls.

[Merkur @ Apr 11th 2006 12:29AM]

When will we get a 100% Wifi Skype Phone (with camera ;) ) ? This will be an amazing phone!

[Righo M @ Apr 11th 2006 1:24AM]

On another note, when did Youtube ad ads?

http://www3.youtube.com/watch?v=155jjz8sa3k&search=one%20piece%20op

[Steven V @ Apr 11th 2006 3:06AM]

boy I really HATE clearwire. we didn't realize streaming audio was against there TOS and got slammed with a 300 dollar fee. half of it was for violating it. the other half was for to allow us to do it At. *drumroll* 56k!

[Kelly B @ Apr 11th 2006 5:00AM]

Clearwire is a ripoff. It's only 7 bucks cheaper than Comcast but now about 2/3 slower. Sometimes I wait seemingly minutes for a site to open. Streaming is equally long compared to Comcast. At first, the modem got 4-5 bars connection signal. After 3 months it dropped to 1-2 bars, consistently. I lodged a complaint on their support site which was NEVER answered! A month later I walked into their local storefront to complain. They checked the support site and said "Whoops, sorry!" but they refused to let me out of my contract. Now I'm stuck for 18 more months with this turkey.

[Wayne Hayton @ Apr 11th 2006 9:08AM]

And, they dont allow Video over Clearwire. Found that out after buying an iSight Camera to conference with my son at University. Live in the sticks so its my only choice right now, but as soon as something comes along that does at least thje same, I will be moving along.

[Wayne L @ Apr 11th 2006 9:08AM]

And, they dont allow Video over Clearwire. Found that out after buying an iSight Camera to conference with my son at University. Live in the sticks so its my only choice right now, but as soon as something comes along that does at least thje same, I will be moving along.

[TVGenius @ Apr 11th 2006 1:06PM]

We've had a wireless ISP here (BeamSpeed in Yuma, AZ) using those same NextNet Expedience web modems for over five years. The technology worked great when I had it, though the walls of our home and all. Our ISP didn't restrict what you did with it, and you could even pay a little more for a static IP if you were running your own server at home.

[VoIP Phones @ Sep 12th 2006 3:44PM]

Nice option but $30/month is a bit steep.

[What to do? @ Jan 20th 2008 12:35PM]

These Clearwire Jerks have ripped off myself, my coworkers, friends, and family! There service sucks but there customer service is even worse! They need to be stopped from their promotional scams.