Portland non-residents rejoice: Clearwire's WiMAX service to expand to major markets this year

Yeah, that's right, Portland, wipe that smug grin off your face. You too, Baltimore, because Clearwire has committed to a list of new mobile WiMAX launches for this year and next -- and needless to say, there are some major markets in the mix. In its earnings call this week, Clearwire revealed 2009 will see Atlanta, Las Vegas, Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas / Fort Worth, Honolulu, Philadelphia, and Seattle all take the plunge, while '10 will add New York, Washington DC, Boston, and San Fran (among other to-be-named metros). We're not sure whether they're talking about the same U300 USB modem that launched before, but the company has also mentioned that it'll be launching a dual-mode data card this summer, and ahead of that, we'll be getting that portable WiMAX WiFi hotspot by the end of this month. The goal is to cover about 120 million pops in 80 markets by the end of next year, which certainly seems strong enough to give the oncoming LTE rush a run for its money, doesn't it?

[Via mocoNews]

[you @ Mar 6th 2009 3:29AM]

why no love for Phoenix?

:(

[reddyroc @ Mar 6th 2009 3:33AM]

what you didnt hear?

[you @ Mar 6th 2009 3:40AM]

that it's soo hot radio waves break down, dry ice melts and liquid nitrogen has no effect?



prolly more likely they are resistant to building towers in phoenix since the city is soo sprawled out setting up Wimax would be a huge undertaking.

[Mikeweezer @ Mar 6th 2009 4:33PM]

Dear Phoenix,

We'll trade you WiMax for your hockey team. You don't watch them anyway.

Your Friend,
Seattle.

[Terry @ Mar 6th 2009 4:09AM]

I hope the Philly footprint extends a few miles outside the actual city limits.

[Nick Molnar @ Mar 6th 2009 4:40AM]

I live in Seattle, and I'm pretty sure we already have ClearWire service. They have had staffers selling packages on the street since the fall, and I saw people using ClearWire modems at the most recent Seattle Startup Weekend. Their website shows that they have coverage in a few dozen (small) cities. Am I missing something?

[Chris Ziegler @ Mar 6th 2009 9:53AM]

You're likely thinking of Clearwire's fixed-station WiMAX service, whereas this is mobile. Sorry for the confusion!

[neodorian @ Mar 6th 2009 7:38AM]

Nice. My laptop has an embedded WiMax radio but since I don't need it much around home or the office I don't subscribe. I would love the option of paying $10 for broadband when visiting other cities.

[Philip @ Mar 6th 2009 9:48AM]

What? Wasn't DC supposed to be getting WiMAX, like, a couple months ago? I swear I've been waiting since September or so because it was coming soon in '09... Now I'm sad for another year+.

[CalumC @ Mar 6th 2009 10:00AM]

United Kingdom can haz wimax?

[Tony @ Mar 6th 2009 12:09PM]

Me Now Rejoice!! I will No longer get ripped of $60 by Verizon wireless Broadband or pricey Comcast and be TIED Down!!

As soon as Wimax hit ATL, I'll be the first in line to pick up on this 4G stuff..

[keithwwalker @ Mar 6th 2009 4:43PM]

I'm in PDX and they only sell mobile wimax meant for laptops with a usb dongle. If they sold a wimax enabled smartphone that could tether to pc's, they would blow the market out of water! You could then cancel your broadband and regular cell coverage, and maybe even cable tv.
That would be worth a 2+ year contract to me!

[FILA @ Mar 6th 2009 11:30PM]

wonder whos gonna win

Bodymore muthafucka!!

[Clinton RRoD sept.3 @ Mar 7th 2009 12:38AM]

clearwire sucks, i pay for internet speeds im not getting

[Mark M @ Mar 9th 2009 6:52PM]

This post refers to the mobile WiMAX service being marketed under the "Clear" brand by Clearwire. See:
http://www.clear.com
This service, and its associated hardware, is still in its infancy. The technology is more advanced than Clearwire's existing fixed "pre-WiMAX" service.

[Zapp @ Mar 11th 2009 2:03PM]

Dear Apologist,

It may be in its infancy but if Clear could get their ponies in a wheel I would still be a customer. There are at least 15 WiMax-enabled devices currently available. Most of them have been available since before Portland's network was rolled out. Clear supports exactly zero. They show some glorious demo videos with the Lenovo X301, but guess what? If you buy it, you can't use it on their network. They directly caused the discontinuation of the n810 because they refused to support it. The excuse: "we have to individually certify each device and train our staff, so we select carefully." Male bovine scat. The vast majority of the devices use the same Intel chipset, with the same Intel driver. Lest you forget, Intel is a $1B investor in Clear. So if they can't fly Intel's unicorns through some flaming hoops I hold very little hope that they will be able to accomplish much of anything beyond burning unicorns to death.

Sincerely,
Not mad, just disappointed.

[Rick Harman @ Mar 31st 2009 10:47PM]

I live outside Baltimore. A couple of years ago, my organization looked at holding a conference in Baltimore. One of the selling points for the Baltimore Inner Harbor was the free public wireless (which I confirmed using my cell phone wi-fi). Last year I tried surfing the public wif-i and it was no where to be seen. It seems that Sprint decided to sell wireless service in Baltimore and must have either paid off or sued the city government. I'm unsure of what is behind Sprint's marketing model other than the expectation of shearing a large number of people. Their service makes no sense to me. By the way, there is a small free wi-fi hot spot outside the Maryland Science Center gift shop.